After choosing a temporary agency, many temps sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. But what many temporary employees may not realize is that by doing a few simple things, they can be sure that their staffing agency will be receiving nothing but positive feedback about them. Here's how to be the temp that's first on any employment agency's call list:
Be Punctual at a Temporary Job Placement
Generations of mothers have said "You never get a second chance to make a first impression," and nothing could be more true for the temporary employee. Being on time (or even a little bit early) for an assignment shows enthusiasm, respect, and a sense of responsibility about the job. To ensure punctuality, temps should be sure they know the driving route, or confirm which buses they will have to take to get to the location of their temporary assignment.
Be A Positive Temporary Employee
Temps often find themselves in unfamiliar situations, dealing with urgent deadlines, having to learn new skills quickly, and working with many different types of people. A good attitude can go a long way to defusing an otherwise stressful situation, and is always appreciated by an employer.
Be Honest About Job Skills and Experience
One of the many benefits of being a temp is the opportunity to learn new skills on the job. Temporary employees should always be honest with their agency about their skills and abilities, to avoid the embarrassment of not measuring up in front of a client. However, this doesn't mean that temps should be afraid to ask questions, and to admit that something is new to them. Many temporary placements offer the chance for temps to learn new job skills, skills that can be added to their resume for the consideration of future employers.
Being a Temp Means Being a Good Listener
Most employers have their own way of doing things, and one of the many challenges facing temporary employees is learning different "systems" for each workplace. Listening skills are one of the most important job skills a temp can develop. Many temps carry a notebook to write down specific notes that they can reference later. And, of course, a good temp is never afraid to ask questions to clarify the requirements of any assignment.
Temporary Employees Should Remain Neutral
Most people have heard of the term "office politics". But one of the benefits of temporary work is not having to get involved in office rumors and backbiting. A skilled temp resists the impulse to take sides, maintains a positive attitude, and remembers that his/her first responsibility is to the staffing agency that placed him at the job. Of course, if conflict is making the placement unbearable, temps should never be afraid to inform their employment agency, and request a different placement.
Be A Helpful Temp
Too many temporary employees sit back and wait for someone to notice that they have finished the task in front of them. Rather than wait to be asked if they need more work, professional temps will ask what else they can do to help. Employers appreciate a temp who takes initiative, and having an assignment to focus on will help the day pass by faster.
Employees Must Stay In Touch With Their Temporary Staffing Agency
Good employment agencies will stay in touch with their candidates, checking in with them within the first day or two of a temporary assignment. It's important to remember that an agency has a responsibility not only to its clients, but to its temps as well. Any concern about the working environment, the employer, or an assignment that is vastly different from what was described to them by their agency should send temporary employees to the phone to contact their temp agency. Professional temps also know that maintaining regular contact with their agency is the best way to get leads on upcoming temporary placements.
Temporary employees often find themselves feeling like they are "in the middle": wanting to please the client, but reporting to their staffing agency. Using these simple tips will help temps navigate the unique demands of temporary employment, and they will be rewarded with many career development opportunities.
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