Maybe you envision a temp job as a sort of Office Space hell, mind-numbing, minimum-wage hours stuck in a cubicle, sifting through stacks of paper and answering the same phone calls over and over and over.
Or maybe you just think it’s kind of beneath you — you’re a college grad, after all, and temping is only for people who don’t have a degree.
Not so.
Temp options increasingly include challenging contract-to-hire jobs in specialized and high-paying fields, while more and more career experts are viewing temping as a way for college students and new grads like you to get a trial run at a long-term career.
Think of It as a Test Drive
If you spent your summers vegging out at the pool instead of lining up internships or summer jobs, temping is your second chance to get it right and give your résumé a much-needed boost.
Test out your writing, editing, marketing, legal, research, or banking skills. You’ll quickly learn what kind of work you excel at, what type of work just isn’t for you, and maybe even whom to hit up for your next letter of recommendation.
Make Money, Gain New Skills, and Build a Bigger Network
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Pay your rent. Gain valuable work experience while earning a paycheck that can help keep a roof over your head. If you’re still living at home, you may be able to afford to make the move to your own place. Earn money in the short-term while you figure out your long-term goals.
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Expand your professional network. You may no longer have to rely on professors or work-study employers who barely remember you. Do a good job as a temp, and you could get a great letter of recommendation out it. You could even be offered the position permanently.
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Enjoy the flexibility. If you find you don’t really like your temp job, you can walk away with no hard feelings. Employers who hire temps know it’s not forever. They’re testing you out as much as you’re trying to get a feel for them.
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Broaden your horizons. You might like the company you’re temping for, but the work itself isn’t a good match. With a temp job, that’s not necessarily a dead end: If you’re hardworking and reliable, you could be recommended for another position or department better suited to your skills and professional goals and interests.
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Take advantage of the perks. Some temp agencies provide employees with benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, which can be especially valuable when you’re no longer covered under your school’s or parents’ health insurance policy.
Ready for Hire
Make the most of the different types of work you’re asked to do, even when a job doesn’t sound exciting or necessarily up your alley. Every temp opportunity gives you face time in front of prospective employers and their network of business associates.
Temping can also allow you to gain exposure to a large number of companies in a short period of time. By taking a variety of jobs, you’ll get an idea of how small-, mid-, and large-size companies work, and you’ll have a better understanding of what type of corporate culture you’re looking for.
And when it’s time to interview for a permanent position, you’ll know what types of questions to ask and how to tailor your answers to each company’s needs.
More importantly, you’ll know yourself and what direction you want to take your career.
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