are temp jobs worth going for or are they a waste of time?

Answer 1

Definitely worth going for! I temped for three years. The biggest advantage is that you gain a lot of new skills. If an employer is looking for a permanent person, they'll only look at someone who has done that particular job before. If they are taking on a temp, it means they're desperate to find someone quickly so they will just train you to do things. For example, I learned a lot of software packages like various CRM applications, and I improved my PowerPoint skills because I'd only used it a little bit before.

I also found it positive from a personal perspective. You learn to pick new things up really quickly. Also, it gives you confidence because you are always "the new person" and you have to make an effort to get to know people.

And, as someone else said, very often you may find that it leads to permanent work.

To be honest, I do feel that it's preferable to have a permanent job over a temp job, due to the benefits that you receive. But, if you can't find a permanent job so your alternatives are either getting a temp job or sitting at home on your ****, then it's a no brainer, right?

Answer 2

Well, it depends on the type of work that you are applying for and for how long you need employment. The good thing about temp agencies is that you are not bound to them. You can quit at any point if you simply do not like the work, the management, etc. However, doing so might keep you from finding additional work with that company down the road. I work for a temp agency right now and they are pretty bad if not horrible. I think it's because they contracted out with the Federal government and by so doing, they bit off more than they could chew. In some rare circumstances, a company may just hire you on as a full-time employee, probably to save a few bucks down the road if you end up being worth your salt as a solid employee. I think there is a Dilbert comic strip that outlines the peril of the contract employee.

Answer 3

Temping has its place in the work environment for a number of reasons. From a workers point of view temping offers a flexible no strings attached method of earning both a wage and experience which they put to good use later on. The more work of a particular type you do the more valuable you are to a future employer, and the more money you can demand for those services.
From an employers standpoint temporary workers offer short term solutions to a problem or a demand in service they cannot meet from the regular work pool. Temps cost less as the only outlay is usually the core wage and there are no benefits payable to a temp.
So if you are just starting out with no experience and no job temping may be the answer to achieveing both. You reward will be posative feedback from the client who hires you and repeat work from that same client and from recommendations from others. I would consider this as a good start to my working life or a good way to bring it to a conclusion at retirement.

Answer 4

I found my best jobs temping. After college, I tried it on my own and was always disappointed with the results. I went with a very well established temp agency. I got a terrific job! When I moved to a different state, I also went the temp route and my first assignment turned into a 5 year stint with a good company. If a company likes your work and you, they will make a place for you. Temp-to-hire jobs are also a good way to try the employer out to see if they suit you too.

Answer 5

Yes.Yes.Yes!! - I spent 2.5 years retraining within the administration / secretarial field raring to return to work once my children went full time to school.

Every time I applied and got to the interview stage, I was told my grades / qualifications were excellent but without any actual office experience they would not employ me. It was definitely the egg and chicken scenario so I went temping.

At first the contracts were small, a couple of weeks here, a month there, but as my experience grew, the contracts got bigger until I landed a six month contract at an accountants. This was the door I wanted opened and it allowed me to gain great office experience. One month from finishing the contract and I was in full time employment and have been for the last eight years.

It was tough going, doing the temp work as I also had to keep up the part-time jobs that gave us the ready-steady income, but it was well worth it in the end.

Sometimes it is not about which came first but it can be a tough egg to crack so stay in there and doors will open.

Answer 6

Temping is worth it. Not all temp services hire for short-term work, you can also apply to be considered for full-time, temp-to-hire positions. I am currently in a position estimated to last a month but I have been here 3 already, another girl from the same firm has been here 2 years after they estimated the job to last a month.

Answer 7

Temp jobs are great!
1. gets you back into working mode
2. you get experience in a different aspect of the work,
3. the employer may like your work so much you become 'permanent'.
4. Different temp jobs give you the confidence and experience to know what you want to do later.
5. It holds you over until you find the most suitable job.

Answer 8

If the temp work is in your field then I would say go for it , the job could work out to full time employment . Some companies post a job as temporary when in reality they are actually searching for a full time employee. So I would say no they are not a waste of time...

Answer 9

Yes, especially if you need money or if you are in a field where gaps in your employment history might be frowned upon.

Temp jobs give you a taster of other companies and often lead to permanent positions, not to mention the fact that agencies are a great way to get notice of jobs that are out there and if you are on their books they are more likely to place you for temp to perm as they can trust you and make a profit when you get a job.

Answer 10

No job where you gain experience, earn money or learn skills is a waste of time. Even the temp ones can serve a valuable purpose.