Temp Work.

[devo 0]

So, I'm pretty fed up with my current profession. It's a food service job with lousy hours and even lousier pay. I'm thinking about going to one of the Temp Worker facilities in the city and putting in an application for clerical work. Admittedly, I only have a couple months experience working in an office, but since I can type pretty well (60-70 WPM depending on the circumstances), I figure I could at least get some typing/light filing work.

 

To be honest, what's stopping me from putting an application in is my lack of knowledge in the whole process. I know I get to pick what days I wanna work, whether I can accept same-day assignments, and stuff like that, but I'm completely clueless on everything else. Can I request time off whenever I want? How many hours can I expect (keep in mind that I basically want to work as much as possible)? What sort of wages can I earn?

 

These are questions I'd ask an employee of the Temp facility, but the e-mail I sent went unanswered and they were closed today, so...any thoughts?

[Guest Princess Leena]

I did the temp thing for a few years... it's a good way to get started in the office workplace.

 

First off, I'd suggest doing some searches, ask some friends etc..., on who are better temp agencies in your area. Doesn't necessarily matter if they're bigger or smaller. Some places have extremely rude workers, and only serve to screw people over. Be careful of that, because it's soured many people.

 

And also... be patient. These places will be pleasant as punch when you first start out with them... but, you'll probably need to bug them afterwards if they can't hook you up with a job right away. I know... defeats the purpose of job agencies in the first place... but, that's how it is.

 

Those are all good questions. Except for asking about requesting time off whenever. These agencies main goal is to find a body who will reliably be there every day.

[Dangerous A 0]

In terms of days off, ask your sup on site/in office and go from there. Getting a temp office involved is just a pain in the ass. They don't care, as long as you show up when you're supposed to and turn your timecard in on time, they're cool. That's from 10 years in dealing with 3 different temp agencies.

[devo 0]

Thanks for the advice. You too, Leena.

 

And honestly, the only reason the time off thing is even an issue is because there's a five day span in the beginning of July in which I absolutely cannot work. Besides that, I want to rack up as many hours as possible.

[Guest The Satanic Angel]

I currently am working through a temp agency, and the experience has been pure bliss for me.

 

You can specify whether you want short term, long term, or temp to hire positions. You can specify what wage you're interested in (it doesn't mean you'll get it, but your agent will do their best, in my experience). As far as requesting time off, it's easy. Just tell your agent you're unavailable for work and they either won't look, or will inform the company you're temping for, and they'll just have to deal (or they'll ask for someone else while you're gone [better hope you're doing good, may get replaced, though I haven't experienced or heard of this]).

 

Go for it, OAK.

 

EDIT:

 

Oh, and about hours, you can also specify if you want to work minimal or maximum hours. In my experience, at least. I don't know about other agencies but mine (I'm actually employed by two, but have only gotten work through one).

[Guest Princess Leena]

Thanks for the advice. You too, Leena.

 

And honestly, the only reason the time off thing is even an issue is because there's a five day span in the beginning of July in which I absolutely cannot work. Besides that, I want to rack up as many hours as possible.

 

Oh, then that's fine. I'd also suggest doing what DA said about that.

 

I just wouldn't word it like you did to the agency people.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Avoid this man at all costs.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I currently am working through a temp agency, and the experience has been pure bliss for me.

 

My experience was pure hell, and I'll never go through it again.

[Guest The Satanic Angel]

The main reason it's been great for me is that I (apparently) have a problem with authority, so switching positions and companies on a regular basis keeps me from getting frustrated with people I'm working for.

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

I hated it at the time(summer/spring of 2003)

 

In retrospect, while the work was tedious,boring and low pay, it wasn't awful. It was kinda nice saying "nah, the hell with work today" once a week if I was hungover or whatever. It was also pretty stable paycheques once a week, and going between different locations at least kept your mind from going numb.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Temp work isn't necessarily low pay always, either.

 

That's why I suggest finding the right agencies for you.

 

Many will lowball you.

[Scroby 0]

If I may recommand, one thing that worked well pretty for me was monster.com. Fill out a resume and send it out to people who are for looking for temp people. Works well for call backs.