So, you have just finished your university degree! You have celebrated with friends and family, it is only now you are realising you’ve spent the last seventeen years or more in a formal educational setting. Now, you are given the most daunting task in your young life – getting your first job!
Many feel the pressure within a few hours of graduating. I know I did, so I went ahead and interviewed for a few companies, made use of the career centre on campus, but all my efforts were essentially fruitless in my search for the ‘dream job’ — one that would satisfy my passions and set me on the right path.
After several applications and interviews I finally found a job as a temporary employee. One year later, it turned out to be a great way to gain an insight on work environments and it allowed me the time needed to reevaluate career goals. I look back on those times with fondness and no regrets.
In case you find yourself in a similar situation, we at Cassidy Education have put together a list of some of the advantages and disadvantages in taking temporary work.
Advantages
Gain Experience
Temping is a great opportunity to see experience different company cultures and discover what you prefer as an employee. It may be that you work best in a fast-paced environment, hate sitting at a desk or like working with children.
Temping is a fantastic way to discover the things you are good at and what you really enjoy doing. You are often exposed to career fields you might otherwise never have known, allowing you to make more informed career choices going forward.
Exposure
Temping can help you gain visibility in a crowded and uncertain job market. Plus, if you are just entering the job market, a temporary job could be one of the best ways to get your foot in the door to a permanent position.
As a temp worker at Cassidy Education, you’ll be represented and will benefit from our vast contact list and our inside knowledge on who’s hiring and what they’re really looking for. When you work with Cassidy Education, you come with a seal of approval and are well ahead of the applicant walking in off the street.
Permanent Employment Potential
If a permanent role is what you ultimately want, the best thing you can do is be a pleasure to work with. Once you’re on the job as a temp, the employer gets a chance to see you shine. Don’t be surprised if what started out as a week’s assignment turns into a permanent job offer. When that time comes, you’ll know if this is a company that you want to stay with long-term. You don’t have to accept the offer but if you do, be sure to let your recruitment consultant/agency know.
Take Advantage of the Flexibility
Many temp jobs will be 40 hours a week until your assignment is over, when the assignment ends you have the flexibility and can take some time-off if you want. You can also use this flexibility to continue searching for jobs that fall more in line with your career desires, while building on your experiences, skill sets and of course your all important CV.
Make sure to maintain some contact with your consultant and take the occasional placement to ensure they will want to continue working with and representing you.
Be Qualified
Make sure your job knowledge and technical skills are current and up to date. Now that you are entering the job market, agencies and employers are looking for people with first-rate skills. You must stay sharp to find employment, including temping, make your best efforts at all times.
Seek ways to increase your knowledge and become a ‘mini-expert’ in your field you’ll want to present yourself as uniquely well-informed. Obtain certifications when available.
A combination of classwork and on-the-job experience is the ideal way to prepare yourself for a new line of work. If you can prove that you have some basic skills, it may be that we place you in jobs where you can work under supervision and further enhance your skill set.
Disadvantages
There’s always a downside:
- You may feel isolated
- There is a lack of certainty about income
- You may not have health insurance, a pension plan, or paid vacations
- There aren’t many disadvantages to temping – but if you like the security of a regular job and being around a consistent circle of peers, you may find temping unfulfilling.
- Although temping can be great for building skills and knowledge, there is a high turnover rate.
- Full-time employment is NOT a guarantee.
In the end, being a temp worker has both advantages and disadvantages. Soak it all up and we hope this helps you make a decision when you are faced with the opportunity to apply for, accept, or deny a temporary position. Good luck and make the most out of temping and all the advantages it offers!
