Interviewing for a Temporary Position

If you think, “it’s just an interview for a temp job — no big deal,” that’s where you’re mistaken. Some wonderful opportunities, networking connections and careers have resulted from temporary positions.

pTemporary assignments today run the gamut from receptionist to CEO and beyond. And since an agency is usually the first contact with the company, much of the marketing and negotiations have been done for you.

And if you believe “but the interview is set up and all I have to do is show up,” you’re wrong again. The mindset you bring to that interview will make a big difference as to whether or not you get the job.

Most employers like to conduct interviews for temporary positions, even though they are slated only for a few weeks or months of service. They are particularly concerned about people in positions of higher responsibility. The employer is interested in selecting quality people who can be trusted with company information, knowledge and secrets.

Preparing for the Interview

Do Your Research: Many companies have Web sites where you can access valuable background information to use in your interview. By finding out information about the company, like annual revenue and the organization’s mission, you will show an interest in what you will be contracted to do. Showing some enthusiasm about the position will demonstrate a positive attitude toward the assignment that you’re seeking. You don’t want to project the idea that you are there because you can’t find a job anywhere else, or are waiting for just the right job — even if that is the case.

Get a Job Description: Prepare ahead of time. A worthwhile exercise is to take a piece of paper and fold it down the middle. On one side of the fold write, “What they are looking for,” and on the other side, write, “What I have to offer.” Look at the job description and compare the company’s needs with your experience and qualities. How do you stack up? Where are your shortcomings? Can you show how you learn quickly or bring added value to the company from the start?

Prepare a Short Information Statement: Be ready to answer the dreaded question, “Tell me about yourself and your background.” Your statement should include some information on the type of companies and industries you have worked for, your strengths, your transferable skills and some of your personal traits. Practice saying this statement until it is natural.

Be Prepared to Talk About Your Successes and Experiences: The employer will want to find out about your past experience — successes and failures, your work ethic, your track record and, more than likely, the reason you have chosen to work as a temporary employee rather than a regular employee. Make sure you have an answer to the question, “Why temporary employment?”

Even though you are not being considered for a regular position at this time, there is always the possibility that it just might work out well for both parties — and the first step to making that happen is by acing the interview.

Source: Career Advice

Temp Work – The Positive Aspects

The positives of temp work apply almost equally to the employer and the employee. Each normally fulfills a specific need with the minimum amount of unnecessary effort.

The positives of temp work apply to both the employer and the employee. Each normally has a specific need and temp work is often the best way to meet it. The worker who seeks Temp work, many times, has some issues that make full time work impossible at the current time. This is not always the case, of course, but a great many temp employees are dealing with scheduling problems that make temp work the ideal situation. There are many reasons for these scheduling problems. Some examples are schooling and family commitments.

Temp work is ideal for students seeking work in summers or vacation periods. It is also a good deal for a mother with smaller children seeking some extra income without a full time commitment. Other workers hold full time jobs already and look to temp work as a part time supplement to their income. Whatever the individual situation, the ability to work and earn without making a full time commitment to the employer is an advantage of Temp work to many people.

For those seeking full time employment, the temp work job might very well be a chance to get their foot in the door and show what they can do. It also gives the employee a chance to evaluate the company and the work environment prior to making a commitment. This idea of evaluation is very important to both sides in the Temp work business. The hiring process is sometimes long and involved. Once an employee is hired, leaving a company after a few months because of dissatisfaction will not look good on a resume. The temp position avoids this.

The employer benefits from this idea of evaluation as well. The amount of time and money spend in the hiring process as well as the training and employee benefits given to a new hire make having a chance to evaluate the work performance of an applicant very desirable. Many firms use temp Agencies to act as out sourced personnel departments providing prescreened applicants to evaluate on the job.

Of course, the other advantage to the employer is the ability to meet specific short term needs. Not all companies are seeking new employees in temp assignments. Very often the need is truly temporary. This might be due to an employee illness or extended leave of absence. Also, certain projects sometimes require additional manpower on a temporary basis. A major inventory is an example of a type of business event that might require additional temporary help.

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