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Today's organisations need a flexible workforce that can grow, shrink, and re-shape itself as a situation demands. Consequently, the trend towards using contract and temporary and contract staff is continuing to grow at a rapid rate. Many companies are now seriously looking at the benefits of outsourcing giving greater opportunities to people in the temporary sector than have ever existed before
Some candidates worry that "job hopping" will look bad on their CV - this is simply not the case any more. In sectors where there is virtually nil unemployment, and therefore a large shortage of skills, experience is going to be the deciding factor. |
Additionally, for a growing number of people - temping is a permanent way of life. While temps and contract workers are still often used to 'hold the fort' in cases of sickness or maternity, a significant number are now employed on the sort of projects associated with an increase of business confidence, such as new product development, systems implementation, mergers and acquisitions and the like. Secondly, our experience suggests that many temps are not simply passing through but are taking part in 'working interviews' where the employer is recruiting for a permanent position and both parties get an opportunity to assess each other before committing to a long-term contract. While a potential employer may lay down very precise requirements in a job specification in terms of age, experience or qualifications, they are often less rigid about the background of a contract worker, who then has the opportunity to prove their worth from the inside of the organisation.
If a permanent position is your ultimate aim, temping can also provide you with the work experience you need and buys you time until the right permanent position comes along. It can also provide professionals with the chance to build up a much wider range of experience than would be possible in any one company or succession of permanent jobs. Moving from employer to employer can offer exposure to a wide range of different sectors and a variety of different management styles and business practices.
So how can you progress in a temp role?
- Don’t view yourself as “just a temp” – think of yourself as a professional and you will be treated as one.
- Don’t ever say “but that’s not my job” – contracting and temping is about flexibility – be flexible and enthusiastic about extra tasks – they may turn into extra responsibility and promotion.
- Be prepared to work your way up from the bottom – show the powers that be that you can do your job well and you may soon find yourself progressing.
- Make yourself indispensable – the role may have originally been a temporary job but if the company feels that they can’t do without you, they may extend the contract with more responsibility.
- Be committed – you may not be on the actual permanent payroll of the company but treat the company as you would any permanent employer – with respect.
- Keep your skill sets up to date by taking advantage of training offered by both the employer and your recruitment consultancy.
- Have a really positive attitude – this will get you noticed above the rest!
The temping option is by no means perfect for everyone, but is certainly no longer the poor relation of the permanent job and, properly handled, can play an important role in your career development.
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