What are the pros/cons of working for a Temp agency?

Question

Also, are there temp agencies that people should avoid? Does the employer pay you or the temp agency? How does it work?

Answer 1

Pros - Agency pays you, you get your foot in the door of a company that wouldn't hire otherwise. Variety of jobs.
Cons - Company has to pay a fee to hire you - probably won't do it for 3 to 6 months. There shouldn't be a fee...

Answer 2

Temp work can be an attractive way to work. It can show you a lot about many jobs and many companies without committing to a full-time job, but may show you the route to a full-time position that you already know is one you'd like.

Be careful about agencies . There are practices that are not so great for you as the temp. As a rule, don't pay any part of the fee. The employer should pay this. Some agencies might want you to split the fee with the employer, saying it is because you are not as qualified as the employer wanted. Don't buy it. Instead, find a reputable agency that does not make you pay, but only the employer. Also, be careful of the contract. There are clauses that say if you leave a company as a temp and return full-time, or you are hired full-time, you have to pay the agency a certain amount. Don't sign such a contract.

Most temp agencies are very good and legitimate. Some of the smaller ones are not. Often, agencies compete to fill jobs which are listed with more than one agency. Make sure the agency you are dealing with is up-to-date on listings, and doesn't send you out on a job that's already filled.

If you decide to go the temp route, it can be a fun and educational experience. I had a couple temp jobs when I went back to college when I was 35 year old. Good luck.

Answer 3

You sign up with an agency. They will place you at a company. The company will pay the agency, and the agency will pay you.

Sign up with as many temp agencies as possible, to ensure that you get steady work.

PROS: A temp agency is a great way to get your foot in the door at a company that you want to work for. You also have the benefit of seeing if you want to work for that company or not.

CONS: The work is not steady. That is why you should sign up with as many as possible.

You have to be persistent and call them twice a week to tell them you are available.

No benefits until you put in a certain amount of hours.

Answer 4

If you're looking for something permanant, then that's the con.
+ No bennies.
But I feel it has it's benefits depending on your situation.
1. Gets your foot in the door to someplace you may WANT to work for.
2. Dont hafta accept the jobs offered.
3. Variety of experience and/or change of pace for those who bore easily.
4. Can quit at any time, if you locate a permanant job.
5. No real committmants
The employer verifies your time worked. You take that time to the agency, and collect your pay from the agency, weekly.

Answer 5

I try to avoid temp agencies. They don't pay too well and if you get a long term job you have to work a certain amount of hours before you can be eligble for hire to the company you are working at.
The only pro is that they can usually get a job pretty fast. Depending on your skills.

Answer 6

Pros:
You work when you're available.
You can leave a job with no repercussions.
You can choose what kind of industry you'd like to work in.
There's a possibility of temp-to-hire (that's how I got my longest-lasting secretarial job)

Cons:
You're not getting paid the market rate for your job (agencies typically take 1/3 to 1/2 what the employer is paying).
No benefits.
No job security.
You get treated like crap on some jobs.

Answer 7

Pros: You get immediate work.
You learn from many different people.
You learn to be flexible.
You learn to be tolerant.
You learn patience.
You learn to troubleshoot problems.
You get a free education from real world experience.
You get your foot in the door.
You can make contacts and get to network.
You learn different skills on many levels.
You may be able to be hired on a permanent basis.

Cons: You don't get benefits.
You get only 1/3-1/2 your actual pay.
You can get treated like crap.
You are only there temporarily.
Your bosses can be idiots. Some bosses are like
diapers,...full of sh*t and all over your a**!
You can be let go at anytime.
You will not garner respect from your so called "peers."
You have to go where the jobs take you.
You have no job security.
You will not be taken seriously.
Your co-workers may feel threatened by you.

I have been through this route and have met some interesting people. Learned a lot too! I was lucky enough to get a permanent position and make some good wages while it lasted. My experiences enabled me to get an even higher paying job with better benefits. What you choose to do is up to you. It was rough and tedious, but in the end it was worth it for me. Good luck to you and may you have a pleasant experience!

Answer 8

The employer pays the temp agency and they take their cut and pay you.

Answer 9

pros is that they find what is suitable for you and it can become a full time permeate job.

cons is that they can give you diff jobs every day and or you work some higher you for 30 days and right before they heir you they let you go

the agency is usually the one who pays you

Express personal is a good one to work for as well as manpower but i don't know where you are from so there for don't know if you have these in you area

good luck

Answer 10

I did temp work for 2 years and only had about 2 weeks without work. I loved the variety but hated not getting benefits.

If I didn't need the insurance, I'd do it all the time.

The job market's good where I live.