While we are faced with a tough job
market, for some workers, temporary work has become a safe-haven against foregoing a paycheck. In fact, the number of temporary and contract workers employed by U.S. staffing firms on an average business day was 4.3 percent higher in 2012 when compared with the third quarter of 2011.
I’ve personally worked in a temp position for about six months now and can attest to the fact that there are plenty of pros AND cons to working temporarily. Let’s take a look at a few of these now:
PROS to temporary work
- You have a paying job, which is usually better than a minimum wage job. While not every temporary job is going to be the perfect fit for you, it’s often going to be a better position than most minimum wage jobs.
- You have the opportunity to spice up some new skills. Temporary jobs often afford you the opportunity to learn new skills, software, or equipment you didn’t know otherwise. For example, you might find you’re a whiz at Excel or an awesome customer service representative.
- You’re afforded higher flexibility than other jobs. Because you’re not a permanent fixture of the company, temporary jobs allow you to be more flexible in your work schedule and sometimes even your work assignment, depending on the temp agency.
- You’re able to feel out the waters at a company with the potential to get hired full time. Many temporary jobs begin as a “temp-to-perm” hire. This means that, if you’re the right fit, there’s the potential to transition to a full-time position with benefits at that company.
- You can make some great job contacts in the meantime. While not every temp position will be right for you or the employer, you can still wow your new job contacts with your work and add them to your professional job network.
CONS to temporary work
- You typically don’t receive many benefits, if any. Because you’re not a permanent employee, you’re often not afforded health benefits, paid time off, sick leave, or other nice perks of being a full-time, salaried employee. Sometimes you can receive limited benefits through your temp agency, so be sure to discuss these issues before accepting a temporary job.
- Your hourly wage is usually low-balled. It’s common for temporary workers to feel overqualified for their jobs. Because of this, temporary jobs often offer lower wages for your work because the temp agency takes a fee from the employer.
- Your temporary job is just that, temporary. Job security can still be an issue when taking a temporary job. Temp positions are often given on short notice for a range of dates. The job could last as long at nine months or as little as a few weeks.
Temporary jobs aren’t right for everyone, so move forward with an open mind and list of questions prepared to ask your temp agency or new employer.
Have you ever worked with a temp agency? What advice do you have for job seekers considering temporary work?
