By Heather R. Huhman

Temp jobs are on the rise. Demand for temp workers will grow at a rate 5.9 percent faster this quarter than in the same period last year.

Temp work is often the perfect solution for job seekers who need to fill the gap in their resume. Here are seven reasons to consider it:

Get paid.

The most obvious reason to look into temp work is to make some money. If you can’t find the job you want, temp work will fill in the gap and give you the opportunity for some income. It may not be your ideal salary, but it’s a start.

New experiences.

As a temp, you get assigned to different companies through an agency. Through the different assignments, you can learn about different career fields and company cultures. Temp work can give you a taste of different atmospheres you might pursue in the future.

Less stress.

Companies hire temps when they have too much work for their current employees and need someone to take on the less important tasks. You will have less demanding responsibilities as a temp — and therefore, less stress at work.

Flexibility.

When you enter into a temp agency, you can decide what days or times of day work best in your schedule. Assignments can last from a few days to more than a year. They will try to find a position to accommodate you. When your temporary assignment ends, you get to decide what to do next.

New skills.

In temp work, you’ll get to work on the skills you already have in addition to learning new ones. Sharpen soft skills like time management and attention to detail, as well as hard skills related to new technology and software. Boost your resume along the way.

Meet new people.

Being assigned to various companies means meeting lots of new people. Temp work is an ideal networking opportunity. You might meet people you can connect with later on in your career. Maybe someone will offer you a full-time job.

Lead to full-time.

Going along with networking, working as a temp might lead you to a full-time job within the company. Companies hiring from within will likely consider temps for open positions because they are already familiar with things. It’s not a guarantee, but about 70 percent of temporary workers are offered permanent positions.

What are some other benefits of temp work?

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.

By Heather R. Huhman

Searching for a new job — even with the multitude of tools and resources available — can be almost immediately overwhelming. So it’s no surprise a large amount of job seekers experience job search burnout at one point or another.

Want to get back on track to new employment? Here are some ways to avoid burnout in your job search:

Replace Applying to Jobs With Networking

It’s easy to get burned out in the job search process and just give up. When you’re feeling like you can’t look at one more applicant tracking system, it’s time to switch gears. Instead of giving up entirely, work at networking instead. It can be way more fun to meet new people and build new relationships than to fill out another form. Plus, these new contacts can turn into hot job leads, and help your video resume or cover letter get in front of the right set of eyes.

– Josh Tolan, Spark Hire

Mix It Up

Today there are about a dozen different ways to find a job. By playing in all the buckets (job boards, social media, networking, temping/contract work, volunteering, etc.), candidates have a varied day and maximize their chances of success as no one can predict which bucket will lead to the job.

– AnnMarie McIlwain, Founder and CEO, CareerFuel.net

Find Job Search-Life Balance By Staying Active

Burnout often accompanies a long, strenuous job search. Job seekers can avoid burning out by keeping themselves busy outside of their search for employment. This means staying active, spending time outdoors, enjoying hobbies, and making time for friends and family. Similar to the work-life balance you try to maintain while employed, it’s important not to let your job search consume you.

– Nathan Parcells, InternMatch

Focus On No More Than Four or Five Jobs Or Companies At The Same Time

Don’t stray from your original search criteria. Know and learn about the three or four companies that best support your search and focus on the specific roles that align with your interests, strengths and goals. Do not look at too many (more than four or five) jobs or companies at the same time.

– Emily Krull, PNC Financial Services Group

Force Yourself To Do Something Physical

Walk, run, lift weights, etc. Do this away from home. It’s so hard if you have been out for a while, and you get more and more desperate, but job search burnout will hurt you the long-term. You could also volunteer for something — whether in your church, your community, or even for a friend who is working. Doing something that gets you partially in the workforce will keep you engaged.

– Sudy Bharadwaj, Jackalope Jobs

Focus Your Search With Alerts

If you must look at job postings, don’t spend hours surfing the web. Set up email alerts with a job aggregator like Indeed.com. Commit to looking at the results over coffee for 10 minutes each morning. That really should be all you need. Set up alerts using Google news alerts to alert you of companies in your industry of choice that have activity. An example is: Medical Device Companies+Growth+Texas. You can also track individual companies this way.

– Mary Elizabeth Bradford, Resume Writer and Job Search Coach

What do you think? What other ways can job seekers avoid burnout?

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.

By Heather R. Huhman

If you plan on showing up to a job interview and robotically answering each question, you’re not doing enough. A job interview is also a critical time for you to assess your fit at the company–and you should do this by coming prepared with questions for your interviewer.

Does your mind go blank when an employer asks, “What questions do you have for me?” Here are some great things to ask during your job interview:

Questions To Determine Company Culture Fit

When it comes to the interview, the question segment can really be a job seeker’s time to shine. This is the moment to show how much you truly know about the company. Whether the interview is in-person or through online video, job seekers should seek to determine if the company culture will be a good fit for their work style and personality. Remember, you should enjoy your job, which means fitting into the company culture as well as being able to perform job functions.

– Josh Tolan, Spark Hire

Use Interview Questions To Showcase Interest

Job seekers should ask the interviewer questions that showcase their interest in the position and company as a whole. In an interview, consider asking your interviewer to describe the company culture, inquire about their personal experiences at the company, ask about your direct supervision, and if possible, try to get your eyes on a few work examples from someone in the position you’re applying for.

– Nathan Parcells, InternMatch

Where Are They Now?

My favorite question to ask any employer has always been to ask where the person was who had this job prior. Very quickly this answer will tell you if this is a company that advances its people (person was promoted) or if there is an issue with expectations or internal differences. Either way it opens the door for further discussion.

– Lynn Dixon, Hourly.com

Ask About Strengths In The Current Team

What are the strengths/personality types of the current team members? This rarely asked question will allow you to better understand the current team dynamics of your potential colleagues, as well as give you the opportunity to elaborate on how you can complement these strengths. For example, if one of the team members is known for seeing the big-picture, you can complement this with your attention to detail.

– Melanie Harris, OneWire

Inquire About The History Of The Position

Job seekers should always ask the employer questions in a job interview. First, it’s important to understand the history of the position. Asking about the accomplishments of the previous employee can also provide you with some insight. Inquiring about growth can help you to see your future in the company. Lastly, ask the interviewer about their professional background. These questions show you’re interested in the role, as well as the company.

– Alan Carniol, Interview Success Formula

Determine What The Hiring Manager Wants You To Accomplish

If you are really interested in the position, and you want the job, then be sure and ask, “What is it you want me to get accomplished in the first six months — first year — in the position?” That will get their attention very quickly.

– Richard S. Deems, co-author of Make Job Loss Work For You

What Did You Do Yesterday?

Before any interview, research the company well. This will help you develop well-crafted, probing questions. If you have an opportunity to interview with a peer or the hiring manager, asking “What did you do yesterday?” will tell you more about that person, the job and the company culture than you will get from that person describing the job to you.

– Kristine Faxon, executive director for career and alumni success, Savannah College of Art and Design

What do you think? What other questions should job seekers ask in an interview?

Heather R. Huhman is the founder and president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. You can connect with Heather and Come Recommended on Twitter and Facebook.

By Heather R. Huhman

In your lifetime, you will probably have to prepare for lots and lots of job interviews. Every interview is different because every job and every interviewer is different. That being said, there are a few things that rarely change when it comes to job interviews.

Here are eight things you should always say (and mean) in an interview:

1. You know the company really well.

Show the interviewer you’ve done your research by talking about your knowledge of the company. Before the interview, view their website, social media, recent articles, and whatever else you can find. Know the scope of the company and current events related to it. Weave this knowledge throughout your responses, and the interviewer will see your true interest company.

2. You have the experience to do the job.

Every interviewer is going to ask about your experience. Use this question as your opportunity to prove you have the ability to do the job. Talk about relevant things you’ve done and the results of your work. Explain that your success with a previous project will allow you to successfully do something else for this company. Prove your worth.

3. You work well with others.

The ability to work in a team is one of the qualities employers want most. An interviewer wants to hear how you have worked in a team in the past and how your team succeeded. Explain what your role on the team was and how you contributed to the team’s success. Companies want to create teams that can manage themselves and produce strong results.

4. You are constantly seeking to learn.

Employers want to know you’re open to adapting and learning new methods. Talk about your willingness to continue learning more about your industry. Tell them you are constantly reading articles about industry trends and speaking to mentors for advice (and actually do these things, don’t just say so). Be specific when referencing publications you read or blogs you follow.

5. You are motivated.

When you use the word “motivated” to describe yourself, you are expressing a few things to your interviewer. First, you have a desire to help the company do well. Second, you are a productive worker. Both of these things show employers they can count on you to do your job. Explain how your motivation has helped you in the past and how it will help you with specific things related to this new role.

6. You are excited about this job.

An excited candidate is one who won’t take the job for granted. “Excited” says, “I really want the job and will do my best when I get it.” The interviewer will hear your excitement for the role and translate that into a very positive view of you. Employers want optimistic workers. Excitement demonstrates your optimism.

7. You have a plan.

The most important objective in your interview is to demonstrate how you will benefit the company (not how they will benefit you). Don’t forget this important distinction in your interview. Explain to employers how you would do the roles required for the job and why you’d be best at implementing your ideas. You obviously won’t have all of the details worked out, but have some general ideas you think would work well and know why they would work.

8. You want to build a career in the company.

This is sort of a bonus because it may not always be true going into an interview. But, if you know you want to build a career in the company, say so in your interview. Your interviewer wants to know you’re invested in the company and you don’t have plans to move on quickly. If you think you’d like to work for the company for a long time, mention it in your interview.

Whether you are applying for a job as an engineer or an office clerk, these things hardly change. If you remember to touch on these points, you’ll be better off in all of your job interviews.

What are some other things you should always say in job interviews?

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.

By Heather R. Huhman

With all of the productivity applications and online calendars, old-fashioned planners and notebooks are going out of style. Technology has allowed workers to store all of their documents, to-do lists, calendars, and deadlines within their computers and smartphones.

Although today’s technology provides excellent applications to increase productivity, sometimes your brain can go into information overload when staring at a screen all day. If you are looking to create some productive work habits, maybe it’s time to power down the electronics and dust off some old-fashioned tools.

From using notepads to whiteboards, here are some ways to help you ditch technology and increase your productivity:

Grab some post-it notes. These little guys are very trusty when it comes to creating mental notes. Each day when you create your to-do list, use a post-it note to remind you of important deadlines and tasks, and attach it to your computer screen or stick it in your planner. You can also use post-its to break larger tasks into smaller ones. The best part is, as soon as you complete a task, you can throw away the post-it note and feel accomplished!

Use a whiteboard. Although they aren’t as “old school” as the chalk board, whiteboards are a great tool for brainstorming ideas. With a whiteboard, you can write down ideas for projects, to-do lists, give presentations, and easily color code everything you write. This will help you visualize your ideas.

Use a notebook. Notebooks are a great way to keep track of your notes, deadlines, and dates. You can also write down ongoing to-do lists and make yourself reminders. What’s great about using a notebook is its size. Not only can you carry it wherever you go, but also you won’t be able to ignore your notebook if it sits on your desk.

Get some fresh air. Are you feeling lethargic from sitting at your desk all day? Take 10 minutes to step outside for some fresh air. On your lunch break, go for a walk around the block or sit outside to eat your lunch. Fresh air is a great way to give your body the extra boost it needs to get through the rest of the afternoon and back to productivity.

Hide your smartphone. Ten years ago, smartphones weren’t a hindrance because they were a luxury many people didn’t have. When you keep your phone on at your desk during the day, it can become one of your biggest distractions. Your phone will stare at you, waiting for you to check notifications and text messages every 10 minutes, but it’s important to resist the urge to open them. When you have a project to complete, put your phone away to remove this distraction. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes when you don’t check your phone while you’re working.

Clear the clutter. A messy desk can be one of the biggest distractions when trying to be productive. If your work space isn’t conducive to productivity, how is it possible to be focused at work? By creating a productive workspace, your mind will be able to think clearly and you will accomplish more.

The next time you feel like you’ve hit a wall with your work, think about incorporating some of these ideas. By taking a moment to step away from technology, you will be surprised at the many different ways you can increase productivity in your workspace. Sometimes, all you need is your favorite pen and notepad to help you focus more at work!

Do you incorporate any of these habits into your work to increase productivity?

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.

By Heather R. Huhman

Does it seem like your current career has come to a halt? If it feels like you haven’t gained anything from your career (even if just recently), you could be in the wrong profession. While this can be a scary thought for job seekers, sometimes it’s necessary to find a new career better suited to your career goals.

Do you think it’s time to change career paths? If so, here are six ways to help you transition into a new career:

1. Be prepared for change. It’s not going to be easy switching into a new career. For example, if you are transitioning into career where none of your skills overlap, you will have to invest a lot of time preparing for your new career. Job seekers must be willing to dedicate the time, effort, and even money into switching careers.

2. Learn new skills. If you’re ready to move into a new career, it’s a good idea to think about pursuing additional education. Job seekers who want to switch careers need to have the skills required to make the move. You can do this by going back to school to learn new skills, doing internships, and gaining certifications in your new profession.

3. Gain volunteer experience. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience if you are looking to switch careers. This is also a wonderful way for job seekers to demonstrate their desire to work in a different field and learn new job-related skills.

4. Rebrand yourself. Are you ready to make the career switch? You can inform the job market you are establishing your new profession through your personal brand. You can start the rebranding process by marketing your job-related skills and interests, updating your LinkedIn profile, and tweaking your resume and cover letter. If you have an online portfolio or a social media presence, you can also rebrand those platforms.

5. Reach out to your networks. Do you have friends or family members currently in the career you want to break into? Ask them if they know professionals in your desired field who would set up an informational interview with you. This is a great way to find a mentor in your field and make connections with professionals who can help you find employment opportunities.

6. Keep a journal. When you begin your transition into a new career, it can be helpful to document your thoughts, notes, and accomplishments to keep yourself on track. Switching careers can be draining, so if you have a journal where you can focus your energy, you will feel more positive about the transition. A career journal is a great way to document your journey and learn from your experiences.

If you are considering moving into a new career, it’s important for you to be confident in your decision. Remember, this is a process that requires a great amount of dedication and motivation to find success in a new profession. By staying focused on your goals and taking time to learn new skills, you will be ready to transition into a new career.

What advice do you have for people thinking about transitioning into a new career?

Heather R. Huhman is a career expert, experienced hiring manager, and founder & president of Come Recommended, a content marketing and digital PR consultancy for job search and human resources technologies. She is also the instructor of Find Me A Job: How To Score A Job Before Your Friends, author of Lies, Damned Lies & Internships (2011) and #ENTRYLEVELtweet: Taking Your Career from Classroom to Cubicle (2010), and writes career and recruiting advice for numerous outlets.