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Temp your way to a full-time job

by Hope Dlugozima

Get some inside tips on how to get the most out of temping.

Wouldn't it be great if you got paid while you decided on a career and looked for a job? At the same time that you were raking it in, you could also find out what you'd really like to do, in what field, and discover what kinds of working environment really suit you.

In the UK, about 10 per cent of female workers work in temporary jobs. For many temping has become another way to search for a job or decide on a career. Think about it. Instead of answering ad after ad and going on interview after interview, you get paid to go into a company that needs extra help.

In a way, you end up interviewing them, making contacts, expanding your CV and testing out your skills. There's also the chance that you could get taken on permanently, if that's what you want. However the life of a temp can be tough, so you'll need a few tips to survive.

Here are the Temp Commandments:

1. Check up on your temping agency. The private recruitment sector is worth about £26 billion a year, with recruitment and temping agencies in every major town and city across the UK. Don't forget that they need good quality temps as much as you need them. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the largest industry body, has over 6000 business members who adhere to its strict code of good practice. Different agencies have different standards, so do as much research as you can and perhaps ask a friend for a recommendation. With the growth in the recruitment industry, many companies have specialised in recruiting for particular fields. To search for a variety of agencies visit the REC website.

2. Register with as many agencies as you can. For one thing, the more offers you get, the more you'll have to choose from. Agencies experience cycles - a really good agency can hit a dry spell and that means fewer jobs for you. When you meet with the agency, be clear about what kind of work you are looking for. This enables them to find you a position that matches both your skills and your plans for the future.