The Secrets of Temp Job Hunting

Amidst the hiring slump, we've continually heard that the temporary job market is doing well.

One area that has been steadily adding jobs and will continue to do so through 2011 is the temporary staffing industry, according to Bob Kovalsky, senior vice president of Adecco North America, a division of the world's largest employment agency.

While I'm sure Bob Kovalsky of course wants to paint a picture of the company HE RUNS with brillant vivacity and life, there is validity to his statement. Temporary positions may have been discreditable at one time, but in shaky economic times, they aren't so much.

To gain the most out of the temp job experience, there are a couple things to keep in mind:

1. WHERE the jobs are
2. HOW to treat the job
3. WHAT they are looking for
4. WHY evaluating the temp agency is important

Noting in what arenas temporary positions are really opening up can definitely increase your chances for long-term hire. Not unlike the full-time job market, some of these arenas are IT, health care, sales, customer service, accounting, administrative support, and marketing.

Treating the job itself like a long-term interview encourages you to put your best foot forward on a daily basis, and prove that the company needs you. Again, making yourself an asset is always a good long-term objective in a temp-to-hire scenario.

Any temporary agency is looking to make money (hate to break it to you). So, making yourself the most sell-able client they have is definitely a step in the direction toward hire. What does this look like? Maybe continuing education classes, maybe some skills training seminary. Either way, the object is to set yourself above and apart.

Evaluating the hiring agency itself is also an important step in securing a legit position. You don't want to spend your time and money trying to make yourself an asset for a company that doesn't have great connections or clientele. You want to be recruited by the best, to find the best long term position.

Just keep these things in mind as you may be looking for temporary positions in 2011. The growth in the market shows that you might be doing just that.