Temporary agencies are a great place to start with part time careers – they are easier to get initial work, and give you experience and networking ability in the work world.
If you’re looking to start into this area, here’s some quick information that will help you:
- Be Ready at Peak Vacation Times
The holidays and summer are times when offices are often short staffed. If you’re available at these times, it means that you’ll have the agency’s full attention when it comes to using you as a replacement. Often at these times even temps take the time off, so it’s good to be visible.
- Find Jobs You Enjoy
Many people spend their lives in jobs they hate. While the right “psychological” frame of mind can mean that you’ll enjoy even highly mundane types of work, it will help in the long run if both your employer and yourself enjoy your tasks.
- Accept Where on the Ladder you Start
You can’t start at the top, and temp agencies will often give you quick assignments that have been hard to fill. The company rarely makes any real profit off these accounts, they just use them to test out new employees. If you make it past these initial jobs, the agency will be happy with what you’ve done and reward you for your success.
Do well with short assignments, and you’ll get bigger, longer, better paying assignments quickly. Even more part time careers can be obtained by simply doing a good job with the ones you have, and moving through the ranks.
- Focus on making first impressions
Look to make friends in the company as soon as possible. Have a good image, and people will always think highly of you.
Stay off the cell phone, text messages, and games. Use a proper posture, and ask before exploring something new (sometimes this is the best way to meet people in your new workplace)
- Use the position as a springboard
Large companies often ask temp agencies for references, which can turn into a longer term career. Keep good relations to make this go further.
If you ask other people what they do, to try to understand their jobs, they can often help you with valuable learning information.
- Prepare an “Intro Speech”
You’re new, and most people don’t see temping as a “permanent” job. They’ll ask you what you want to do as a career, and it’s good to have a 15 or 20 second overview of what you’d like to do.
The talk doesn’t have to be completely focused on your employer’s tasks, however it’s good to have it prepared.
Part time careers are for many people, a full time occupation!
If you’re in need of help finding a job online, check out Ted Wintriss’s great article on Part Time Careers
