Whether you’re looking for temporary jobs to fill the gap between permanent positions or just looking for a side project to tackle after working hours, getting a temp job can be tough.
Temporary jobs can range from standing in for a day to cover a sick receptionist, to filling in for several months while someone’s on maternity leave. Temp jobs often come with high expectations as recruiters expect temps to be able to get used to a new job, duties and colleagues in a small amount of time.
How do you stand out from the crowd of temporary workers in the marketplace?
Here are our ten tips for getting a temporary job:
1. Make sure that recruiters know you’re available for temporary work.
To get work, your CV has to be on the “available” pile.
You need to contact recruiters like us at Simpson Dean and let them know what kinds of temporary jobs you’re available for and for which amount of time.
- Are you interested in working on projects in the evenings after your permanent job?
- Would you rather work shifts in the mornings or afternoons, or are you available for the entire day?
- Are you interested in very short-term jobs like for a day or a week?
- Or one that will be for a few months and can perhaps lead to a permanent job?
- Are you available immediately or are you still wrapping up another project and will only be available later?
These are all questions you’ll need to answer for recruiters to ensure that they can line up jobs that fit your CV and availability.
2. Make your CV stand out.
It’s always a good idea to personalize your cover letter or CV to ensure that you’ll appeal to the specific job you’re applying to.
This means that you’ll need to highlight or emphasize qualities and experience that relates most to the specific temporary job. You need to sell yourself as a perfect fit for the job. For that reason, your CV needs to be professional and concise, but also appealing.
Do some research on the company or job you’re applying for and see if you can find out which skills or what kind of experience they are looking for. This will also help you better tailor your CV to appeal to recruiters.
If possible, add any relevant extra-curricular activities, excellent job achievements or awards and recommendation letters. This may just give you that extra edge over other similarly qualified candidates.
3. Make sure you have a professional digital profile.
Companies usually research candidates online during the hiring process. This entails checking out their social networking accounts and checking what their digital presence is.
That means your chances of getting that temporary job will shrink significantly if they find those drunk party pics or questionable opinions, statements and comments.
Make sure you have a profile on social networking sites for professionals like LinkedIn. You can even upload samples of your work (like graphic design projects or successful marketing campaigns) or pictures of your achievements.
Lastly, ensure you have a professional email address with your full name. Potential employers will not take you seriously if they have to send an email to princesspretty07.
4. Invest in good equipment and digital skills.
With so many companies turning to remote working and digital interviews in the post-Covid-19 world, it’s essential that you have a laptop or computer that you can effectively use for work. You’ll need a webcam, headset or microphone and a highspeed internet connection.
Chances are that you’ll be working online and conferencing with colleagues on platforms like Google Meets, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Make sure you know how to interact on these platforms and are well-versed in popular remote working tools. The more digital skills you have, the easier it will be to impress recruiters looking for effective remote workers.
5. Impress during the interview.
If your CV has snagged you an interview, you need to know how to sell yourself during this small window of time.
Research the company if you haven’t already and draw up a list of queries you may have for the interviewers.
Talk to employees, if you know any and read reviews on the company. This will also give you a better idea of what the company culture is like.
Dress neatly and professionally. Do some breathing exercises, chat with a friend or do something that relaxes you before the interview.
During the interview, speak clearly, confidently and politely. Don’t be pushy or demanding. Answer questions honestly. If recruiters mention that there is something that you lack, offer to undergo training or do an extra course and express your willingness to learn new things.
6. Consider remote working.
We’ve mentioned remote working before, but it does warrant its own discussion.
Due to many companies scaling down on their staff, often they want to bring in extra employees for certain projects. Some may be looking for expertise that’s not available in their immediate area or don’t have physical office space anymore. This will mean that they will expect temps to work from home using their own equipment.
If you are in an industry that makes remote working possible, considering remote working may open up a larger pool of job opportunities.
But before you consider working from home, make sure you have all the available equipment and will be able to stay motivated and be an effective part of a remote working team.
7. Make sure you can adapt to fit in with any company.
When you’re a temp, you’ll need to fit in with a company’s culture to be successful. Make sure you know what the company stands for, what your role will be and what is expected of you. The best way to do that is to ask for guidance from other employees, be willing to learn and observe others.
8. Always be willing to learn.
We’ve mentioned this a few times now, but that’s just how important it is.
The landscape of many industries and the working world, in general, is constantly changing. Who would have thought a year ago, that so many people would shift from working in offices to working remotely?
Try to keep up with the newest trends or software in your chosen field. If possible, fill the times between jobs with short courses to increase any skills you may lack or to update your current skills. When on the job, always be willing to learn and improve.
9. Network.
Networking is very important for temps, as this may help them get future temporary jobs or even snag a permanent one. Get to know as many people as you can and form lasting relationships where possible. If you impress a colleague or make friends at one job, they may just let you know when there are other vacancies in the company. If you end up making a good impression on your bosses, a temp job can pave the way for a permanent one.
10. Form a good relationship with a recruiting agency.
This is essential if you’re interested in temp work for the long term. To do this, you need to make sure that you stay in touch with the recruiting agency. Let them know how your assignments are going. Tell them if you had a good experience at a company or if you ran into problems. If you get good reviews from companies, the recruiters are more likely to recommend you for other temporary jobs or let you know if there’s something on their books that is promising.
Besides these tips, we recommend that temps always try their hardest, be friendly and humble and go the extra mile. These are the best ways to make a good and lasting impression.
For more tips on how to land your dream job, the benefits of temping and how to gain more remote working skills, visit the interesting collection of articles on our blog.