Hi, I'm having a tough time obtaining job interviews (legal assistant profession) and I think one of the?

Question

reasons that's holding me back is my recent 5 plus yr. job experience as a temporary employee. It's been awhile since I held a full-time permanent job, which I'm now seeking because frankly I'm tired of not receiving benefits, having a cubicle of my own or a business card (which is awkward not possessing when one is trying to network). I think though that many hiring managers frown upon people who've worked multiple years as a temp. This could be because some of my brethren (well, I've been guilty of some of this too, which detail I would never bring up to prospective employers) in the temp industry have developed the negative reputation of being late to gigs, taking days off and/or suddenly, w/o notice, quitting. My question is: should I include cover letters which states why I would be a good candidate despite having temped for so long? In past cover letters, I have not discussed nor defended being a temp at all, but highlighted the skills and experiences I have to offer.

Answer 1

I see people that are long term temps as people that can jump in and figure things out with limited instruction. If your temp assignments have been long term - state why they were long term on your resume - i.e. - filling in for someone on medical leave, season spike in business, etc. That way the person reviewing your resume understands why you were never rolled to employment status.

Stop flaking on your temp assignments too. You never know who has moved from one company to another, and if people in HR see a match in company names, they will ask what a person knows about you. You may have bred some ill-will by being late to many times or what not. And you may inadvertently created untraceable bad references as a result.

Do discuss the strengths you have garnered on your cover letter. Your cover letter and resume are all about tooting your own horn. No ones gonna toot it for you.

Just type up a nice Business Card in MS Word for networking. Be sure to have a blog address on line where you have your resume available for view.

In my mind the only that that is holding you back is if what you have been doing the last five years doesn't line up with what you are interviewing for. If that is the case, just try to get on in any position at a law office, then move into a legal assisting job as it comes open.

Answer 2

Absolutely I would include something on the cover letter -- not so much defending the position as a temp, but rather indicating why you are no longer being a temp. Also, if you worked through a temp agency, the temp agency is your "employer" -- which makes the position look better.

Another thing you can do is see if you can get a former temp employer who liked your job to write a letter of recommendation. A letter of recommendation will go a long way to showing employers how good of an employee you are.

Answer 3

Sweetie I failed a job interview at Starbucks a few years ago (I was bored and wanted to get out of the house for a few hours a week). A high end restaurant accepted me and Starbucks didn't. Previously I had passed auditions to be in three West End shows and numerous interviews to earn pots of money as a freelance advertising consultant. Another time British Midland refused me a job as a check-in gal at the airport. Maybe they thought you weren't unqualified enough? edit You haven't worked for a while and you don't need the job - did they pick up on that? Did you subconsciously project that the job wasn't important? You maybe need to get back in the swing of interviewing - it's a skill and fun when you get back into it. Just keep applying and don't take it to heart - if you were doing the interview to just avoid being fat and lazy maybe the interviewer/owner wanted more enthusiasm about what you thought about the place you'd be working in? I have found that if you show interviewers that you are keen on their business (and ask them questions and get them talking) you will ace an interview - deflect hard questions by asking back *which what why where who* questions to them and get them to talk which gives you time to think. Ask for the job at the end of the interview or send them a message later saying how keen you are to work with them. Also - you'll maybe find the reason you didn't get the job is because something nicer and more fulfilling is round the corner: life works that way PS I studied my azz off for the British Midland Airways interview - went to the Business Library in London and genned up on the business just to get a job as a check in/gate person at the airport as a way in to the airline industry (1980s) and when I called back to enquire politely as to why I hadn't got the job they said that they prefer females for the job and were quite taken aback I had done so much research ... the gender thing now would be illegal of course and my (hugely successful) brother said I may have come across like I wanted to be CEO (with all the research I quoted) as opposed to a polite check-in 'gal' lol

Answer 4

I would write a cover letter and market why you are a great employee, you have seen all the sides of the industry- so you have the edge on others, you enjoy work, know the benefits of being on time all the time, and are excited for the oppurtunity to work for them, you wanted to work as a temp for awhile to see if it was right for you, but alas it wasnt and you are ready for the responsiblity a full time job can offer dont make it so you are defending yourself, just looks worse

Answer 5

I would explain why you were a temporary employee for 5 years. e.g. you were studying or looking after a member of the family.
a lot of employers look down on long term temporary employees - I temped for three years and it caused me problems when I was looking for a new job.

If you can, can you tweak your CV so that a temp position you had was a temp to permanent role. You can then say that you wanted a permanent role but they were cutting staff so could not offer you a permanent role.

Answer 6

Anything that draws positive attention to your application is a good idea.

As for a business card, what's wrong with having personal cards printed. Make sure they are professional and conservative though. I have a business card and a personal card for social contacts in any case.