Remember when you could walk into a temporary staffing agency, complete new hire paperwork and possibly start working that day? If not that day, then sometime during that week.
Temp work was the job seeker’s salvation between permanent gigs. In addition to earning a paycheck, the employee learned new skills; gained a feel for the company culture; and made valuable connections. Sometimes those short-term assignments turned into long-term, permanent employment.
Just like everything else in the job search process, applying for temp work has changed, too. Let us count the ways.
How Applying for Temp Work Has Changed
1. Are walk-ins still welcome? I ask because many agencies encourage applicants to apply online while others require them to.
2. Some temp companies only accept resumes for positions that are posted. Otherwise, they will not accept your resume.
3. The positions that are posted may not be current. If you’re really interested in the opportunity, call the agency to check its status.
4. Local positions may be handled by offices in other states. Therefore, when you call the local agency to inquire about the opportunity, they may not know what you’re talking about. Some employees will guide you to the correct recruiter, others won’t.
5. One agency requires job seekers to log in to access the job board. Job seekers have enough challenges during their search; we don’t need additional barriers.
6. My biggest pet peeve: being sent to Facebook to find available positions. Can I just go to your website or social media properties to find current openings instead of letting FB know everything I’m doing?
This has been my experience with temporary staffing agencies recently.
How About You?
Have you applied for temp work lately? What’s been your experience?
Let us know in the comment box below.
Read other articles in the Frustrated Job Seekers Series:
How to Tackle the Salary Question
Applicant Tracking System Frustration
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