How can 13 years of temping look appealling/attractive on my CV?

Question

I had a very excellent recruitment agency tell me that I've been temping for too long! (I'm a medical secretary). I now want to move on from this onto something more permanent now. I've loved temping, but it sounds like my temping is a 'turn off' to future employers. How do I word 13 years on a CV?

Answer 1

Don't listen to that marlacky. An excellent recruitment agency would have been more pro-active and not negative in this way. If a recruitment agency gives you "can't" feedback, then run a mile. Think about this: If you want a job, do you want a person who has that attitude to be looking on behalf of you? I wouldn't.
You must get their attitude out of your head because your mindset will create difficulties for you.
And, also the comments from another who answered with the same sort of negativity. If you listen to this, then it will plant a seed in your head that "everyone is against you".

13 years as a temp is 13 years of working without the complete compliment of benefits. The point is, you have been working and the fact that you've been a temp proves that you are able to think quickly and have enough strength to hold down that sort of role. It isn't a "safe" way of working.

The thing to do is look at the big jobs that you've done and focus on having those on your CV then the little ones. Focus on the skills that you've developed and picked up from the roles. It is your skills that you list on your CV that will get you the interview.

In the interview, if you believe you won't get the job, then you won't. If you go into the interview believing you have something to offer the company or business, organisation, then you will have a better chance.

Also, remember that you are interviewing them as well. Think clearly about questions that you would like to ask. If you've been temping for that long, then you have an insight that those who are permanent and have never temped can't see. Because you aren't committed to a job and it IS temporary, then you can see flaws and attitudes and morale of a workplace more readily than someone with a vested interest. You can also see a good, efficiently ran work place.
Think about the things you do and don't want in a job and have these questions ready for interview.
After all, you will be spending a lot of time there and it is best to like where you work.

Answer 2

That doesn't sound good at all. Big employers look at temps as underskilled workers and some look at them as too lazy to work a full week etc. Some employers look at Temps as desperate people. In many cases they are correct. Many people Temp because they can't last in a full time job without being fired for being lazy, not arriving on time, not being able to do the job etc. etc. However,as you are aware, there are a few good Temps out there that are well qualified and work hard. The first thing is to lay out your CV in a different order. First, you have your details, next you list your hobbies and interests. Part three is where you list your skills including any qualifications , certificates etc. Only after those should you list your education and qualifications followed by employment. Sometimes, if you are 100% confident that you can get away with it, you can stretch the lengths of employment enough to remove some of the very short term ones. If you have worked for many companies, keep your employment list to the past five years and only mention any other important employment within the section for skills and / or qualifications. Another little tip is to create a nice header as the first thing that will impress a potential employer is your creativity. Too many CVs are bland and look like they were created in Wordpad. If you have a little spare cash, you could colour the header, print on glossy paper and make a front cover, with card and bind your CV. That will give a potential employer a wow factor of 10/10 and almost guarantee an interview.

Answer 3

I think it depends on how many moves you have had, whether you simply "filled in" for absent staff, or whether you were temping on a semi permanent basis. You should write a CV that identifies the types of doctor or consultant with whom you have worked, thereby establishing (if only in your own mind)the depth of your understanding of the medical profession and the diversity of your knowledge.
When applying for a post, emphasise your strengths related to that physician/department first then add further weight to your application with the catalogue of other disciplines of which you have experience.
Don't forget that even a little experience in a department counts toward your overall capabilities.
Emphasise also that you are highly flexible - that's a characteristic you must have when temping, is it not.
Say the words to a prospective employer - "I know what I am talking about when it comes to ...." - I will not be a dog's body, but I will be a workhorse" " I do understand the need for confidentiality" Say all these things and more and say them with confidence and eye contact. Mean what you say.
Good Luck

Answer 4

Tough one, that's a lot of temping!!!

1. Very excellent is not a good start - bad English!!!
2. What have you learnt? Breadth of experience
3. Why did you temp? You enjoyed it, now you want to settle down
4. Medical Secretaries are specialised and there's lots of demand, so temping is OK in this field
5. You enjoy new challenges
6. Did you move in that time? Think of reasons why you did temp for so long, as use this to generate positive reasons - drive the focus away from "why" and on to what you learnt

Answer 5

Rather than record all the various placements you have had record the the agencies that you were employed by and the years you worked for them.

You can give details of specific roles in a 'personal profile' section at the start of the CV which outlines how your skills match what the employer is looking for.

Answer 6

Just emphasise the facts that you are flexible and adapting and that your previous employment history has allowed you to work with a broad spectrum of people and face a wide range of tasks.

In an interview, state that while you enjoyed the freedom of temping, you now wish to settle down in a more permanent position where you hope to develop professionally."

Good Luck!

Answer 7

word it to say that up until now this type of temporary work has been your choice and has suited you as you like meeting new people, you love fresh challenges and adapt well to change, therefore the frequent change of jobs suited you perfectly. Then go on to say how YOU have decided that it is time for a new challenge and how you are at a stage when you would love to focus all your energy into taking up something more permanent.

Answer 8

Think of your vast experience. You would probably be able to take on any Medical Secretary job for any specialisations and be able to fill in anywhere in an emergency.
Gear your CV towards what you have learned and how adaptable you are.

Answer 9

Just create a really good profile, saying how versatile and adaptable you are to different companies etc...and if you get interviewed say you now want something more long term. If you have the skills and right attitude you will get hired.

Answer 10

make a FUNCTIONAL resume, not a time based one.

In this, you divide up the functions you have performed,
and give details under headings like:
Office Manager
Computer specialties


and so on
you need to have a second resume avaialble to hand the interviewer when they woant to see where you worked when.