3 Mobile Apps to Find Lunch at Your Next Temp Assignment

What has become the most popular hour of the workday, lunch time is often a welcome relief for those working on temporary assignments in Detroit. However, if you’re not sure where the best spots are for lunch or you are working in a brand new location and not sure where, you can turn to technology to find a comfortable lunch locale.

Finding Lunch as a Temp is a Snap with Mobile Apps

Nearly everyone today has a mobile device and the wonderful thing about smart phones is that they include access to mobile lunch apps!  Here are three of the most popular mobile lunch apps that you can use to access a healthy lunch when you are at your next temp assignment.

WhereToEat?

Grabbing lunch on the go when you are in your own neighborhood is something you probably know very well. But, finding one when you are in an unfamiliar section of downtown Detroit, Michigan – this can be very scary. That’s why this iPhone lunch app can be used to access the best lunch spots that are close by your location. This lunch app even gives you step by step directions using GPS so the chances of getting lost are slimmer. You’ll be able to get directions back to your temporary assignment location.

OpenTable

If you are a little bit on the picky side when it comes to eating lunch you may want to sample OpenTable. This mobile app helps you to locate restaurants and eateries by location and also the type of foods that are served. You can also browse all kinds of menus online via the app for free. If you’re ready to make reservations this handy app also gives you a form to accomplish this. Hint: Use this lunchtime app when you are asked to organize a lunch for your team at your temp job. You will be the person who impresses the boss the most, because nothing wins over the executive team like a delicious meal.

GrubHub

When you prefer lunch at your desk while you’re at a temp job in Detroit MI, GrubHub is the mobile app for you. Can choose from take-out food that can be delivered to your desk, or you can order ahead if you happen to be short on time. GrubHub is a popular app for finding restaurants when you must take your lunch on the go. Use the app to browse for multiple restaurants and clubs in your area. Place your lunch time order right on your mobile device. Save your lunch hot spots for the next time you’re on this temporary job so you can relive the experience.

Remember, as a temp you will want to plan ahead for lunch breaks. Many companies prefer that you stay on property while working as a temp, while others don’t have a preference. Ask your staffing manager ahead of time. Pack a lunch and snacks for your first few days on the job to avoid any issues. Take the time to eat a healthy meal and take regular breaks as scheduled to stay sharp and focused at work.

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How to Attract Temps with Incentive Programs

Finding the right employee in today’s tough job market can be very difficult. The reason for this is that there are so many people unemployed and so many others looking to switch jobs. When the job market floods with potential employees it can be difficult to determine which ones are the most talented and which ones are perfect for your company. In addtion to working with a quality Detroit MI Temp Agency, a way to attract some of the best temporary employees is to create an incentive program for them and your full-time, permanent employees.

Start with Recognition in the Office

One of the first incentive offers for temporary workers should be recognition within the office. Recognizing a temporary employee for a job well done in front of permanent workers can go a long way in building the confidence in the temporary employee. By doing this, you will create a track record that you can show your potential temp workers who are trying to make a decision where to work.

Provide Opportunities for Full-Time Employment

Another option is to offer temporary workers in Detroit full-time employment opportunities. You can make this incentive known to your potential employees prior to hiring them so their decision to work for your company is easier. If a temporary worker knows he or she has the chance of being hired full-time, it will help motivate them while on the job, making sure that success becomes a staple within the organization.

Offer Some Form of Cash Incentive

While interviewing a temporary employee, you might want to consider offering a cash incentive. Let the potential employee know about the incentive prior to hiring them so their decision to work for your company is easier for them to make. The cash incentive can be as simple as $100 for working a specific time length without an accident on the job or for remaining employed with the company for three months. You can also reward temporary employees who refer other temporary workers. This cash incentive can be paid out to the temp worker after the new hire is on the job for at least six months.

Paid Time Off

Who does not love days off from work? How about paid time off? Employees love both of these, so why not offer your temporary workers extra paid time off? Aside from their sick days and personal time, allow your temp workers the chance to accrue extra paid time off for every sick day or personal day they do not use in a given year. For example, an employee can accrue one additional paid day off for every two sick/personal days he or she did not use for the year.

By offering these incentives and more, you can recruit and retain some of the best temporary employees in the industry today. Advance Staffing Solutions, a  Detroit MI temp agency, is here to help you accomplish this.

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Can’t Find a Full Time Industrial Job? Start as a Contractor

The job market, despite news claims of an economic recovery, is still fairly slim in certain sectors – particularly the industrial sector. That means there’s a lot of competition for full time employment in this sector. Even if you have a resume that’s thick with experience, it can be a tough market to break through. While it may not seem like the most attractive option to many people with years of experience in various industrial fields; there is some merit to signing on as contract labor. Here are just a few of the potential benefits you might want to keep in mind as you explore your employment options.

1)   Contractor jobs are in wider supply than full-time industrial positions. If you look through your local Sunday paper or even the job listings online you’re sure to see that most of the listings use language such as: temporary position, contract position, contract-to-hire, etc. It’s not a slim majority either. You’re leaving a lot of potential income off the table if you skip applying for all of the temp-to-hire positions that are available in favor of seeking full-time employment with benefits.

2)   Contract jobs mean money right now. Some of these positions even offer daily pay for daily labor. This means that you get paid at the end of the day for the work you’ve done. Depending on how long you’ve been searching for work, the fact that you don’t have to wait two or more weeks for your first paycheck is a huge benefit to keep in mind. It can mean the difference between a steady diet of Ramen noodles or a little meat and having a little bit of meat and potatoes on the menu.

3)   Many companies simply aren’t hiring direct any more. They’ve realized that they can save money and training hours by hiring contractors for the openings. When they find promising contractors they keep them in mind for full time positions as they arise. Contractors also don’t generally get the same benefits packages that full-time employees receive although they do typically earn very similar wages so this does save companies money. More importantly, it gives you, as the worker, and the company an opportunity to test the waters before making any formal commitment for long-term or full time employment.

Once upon a time, contractor jobs had a negative connotation in the field of industrial work. That simply isn’t the case today. If you’ve been running yourself ragged from one interview to the next with no results to show for your efforts, then it’s time to explore the potential benefits of becoming a contractor. It might make a world of difference in your current financial situation and could easily lead to the full time job you really want.

Be sure to get in touch with Advance Staffing Solutions for access to a wide range of industrial career opportunities.

6 Ways the Job Search has Changed

Job searches have come a long way in the past decade. The more prevalent mobile phones and devices are becoming in society, the more the job search is evolving. Of course there are quite a few different contributing factors to the ever-changing job search process.

Here are a few things to keep in mind so that you can take advantage of these changes.

1)   Technology. This is perhaps the biggest change in the way job searches are performed. Technology has brought many powers to our fingertips through mobile devices and the power of the World Wide Web. Whether you’re using a laptop at home or your mobile phone (or tablet device) at the neighborhood coffee shop, the power of the web has made the job search a much more streamlined process than it was in the days of circling “help wanted” ads in the newspaper.

2)   Scope. The other difference is that your job search is no longer limited to a certain zip code on the map due to the logistics of long distance interviews and assessments. This is once again thanks to the power of technology but the ability exists now to interview, at least initially, across long distances. This opens a whole new world of positions for job seekers and talent for business owners.

3)   Competition. The “great recession” has had a massive impact on jobs and how the search goes. Today’s job search is much more aggressive than those in years past. Job seekers really have to get out there and market themselves in order to get the jobs they want. It’s a common expression that a job search is a full time job in and of itself. Today that is an undisputable fact.

4)   Leverage. In order to get the “cream of the crop” jobs that everyone is in serious competition for, it’s necessary to leverage the power of the web along with social networking sites to really make your presence felt by a company. Social networking, personal branding, and even blogging – as long as it is professional blogging that shows off your talent and expertise – are all necessary components in the process of finding quality jobs in today’s competitive market. The more tools you leverage to assist you in the search, the better your odds of getting hired are.

5)   Customization. Resumes were once a one-size-fits-all-jobs proposition. That isn’t the case today. You need to do your homework on the company and make sure that your resume is specifically tailored for the specific job that’s available with that company. Every company seems to have its own wish list of strengths and weaknesses from employees. Find out what they are and create a resume that highlights your strengths according to the company’s desire. It will make a huge difference in the hiring process and make you more likely to be called in for the all-important interview.

6)   Interviews. In the past, interviews were typically yawner affairs. That’s not the case today. The interview today requires you to be at your best, alert and ready for anything that’s thrown your way. These aren’t the softball questions your grandfather answered. These are hard-hitting questions worthy of an experienced reporter looking for the barest hint of grit in the story.

The job search has changed in many ways. Many of them are definitely for the better. Keeping all of these aspects in mind will help you to be more competitive in this competitive market during your job search.

Manufacturing Skills Gap or Management Skills Gap?

All manufacturing companies experience a shortage of qualified workers from time to time, due to various challenges that can include poor staff management, lack of educational support, and high-demand for specialized skills. However, when this occurs, HR departments are put into overdrive, trying to compensate and oftentimes falling short of project needs. This is when they turn to management to come up with a solution to proactively address the staffing and development needs of the company – to prevent this kind of scenario.

At times, HR managers may be asking if the problem is due to manufacturing employee skills gaps or something within the management skills that are lacking? There are a few ways to determine this.

When There is a Skills Gap

One of the ways you can determine if the problem exists among your staff is to conduct a skills inventory to determine how well your job descriptions match up with the actual duties and skills of your employees. This will tell you if you are accurately hiring the kinds of people you need to be successful in their roles. If you see marked gaps in skill levels, it’s time to revamp your recruiting efforts.

Then you need to take the time to visit local educational centers to see if they are offering programs to prepare the coming generation of workers to meet the demands of your industry. New graduates can be a valuable source of new employees so it’s important that the schools you recruit from have the updated skill development programs you need from future candidates.

Your in-house staff have already proven to be valuable assets to your company, that is if you are taking the time to develop their skills to higher levels and promoting from within. Set up the time to find out where skills are lacking, and then either hire a trainer to come in to teach these skills, or provide employees with learning incentives to get this education on their own.

When Poor Management is to Blame

There is a common saying among HR people: “People don’t leave jobs, they leave managers”. This is certainly true in the manufacturing world, where there may be little time for managers to foster positive relationships with employees on the job. However, if there is a continual turn-over issue present in a specific department, it can mean it’s time to evaluate the people skills of that department manager.

One of the best investments any manufacturing company can make is in its management, at all levels. This means from your newest to your most seasoned managers, everyone should be continually getting trained and updated on industry topics. This includes training on tough personnel issues, like onboarding and employee development.

 

 

While a manufacturing skills gap can be caused by a little of both aspects, there are ways to manage staffing within manufacturing in a more positive way.

One is to bring on quality staff who have the right skills to do the job well. This can be accomplished by working directly with a manufacturing staffing agency, to provide pre-screened candidates suitable for all levels of manufacturing work.

The second is to give management the support needed to become better at their jobs, by offering management training and development initiatives. Back this up with incentives to cut down staff turnover and build more engaged teams.

 

 

 

Want to work somewhere FUN? Prepare for an interview at an employer with a unique company culture.

In many companies today there is a focus on providing not only a great salary and benefits package, but also on giving employees a fun atmosphere to work in. This movement started with the first company that decided a casual, fun workplace was more conducive to happy and productive employees—and for good reason. Studies have consistently shown that happy employees lead to higher levels of productivity, which translates to more revenues and greater creativity. This leads to innovation like never before seen. Just think Google and Apple and you get the general idea.

As you start interviewing for new assignments, you may encounter companies that promote this “fun” workplace. In order to put the best foot forward, it’s best to prepare in advance for a different style of interviewing you may experience. Here are some ways to get ready for an interview at the next funhouse company.

Before the interview, review the corporate website and any articles that pertain to the company as a whole. You will generally be able to learn much about a company by reviewing any press that the company has received, including the executive leadership. Try to understand what the company stands for by reading the mission statement. This will come in handy when you are asked to come in personally for an interview.

If you have the opportunity, speak with the direct hiring recruiter to find out what the general corporate culture is like. Ask what the inside of the building is like, what are some of the events that the company has, and what the general population of the existing staff are like. Does the workplace include any on-site perks like a café, coffee shop, exercise center, a skateboard or bike path, entertainment spaces or other aspects of a fun environment?

Check with your staffing agent to find out what the dress code will be for the initial interview, because he or she has been inside the company. If the agent tells you business casual, be prepared to dress smartly for the interview, but not too over the top with a suit and tie, or too casual with jeans and flip flops. If this fun work environment includes ultra-casual attire, wear at least khakis and a collared shirt to avoid appearing too “stuffy”. Dress codes do vary from one fun workplace to another, so don’t assume to know what will be expected of you.

Ask around to see if any of your personal contacts know anyone who works at your target company currently. If you normally associate with people in the particular industry you are trying to get employed in, chances are someone knows a little more about the company than you, or has had a chance to visit there for an interview. Friends within the company can also shed more light on what it’s really like to work in that environment, which can give you more to go on as you interview. You’ll likely get a more accurate picture of what the fun environment is about, rather than a somewhat biased view from a recruiter who is trying to court you for a job there.

Remember, that you only get one chance to make a positive impression, and that the company has one shot to entice you to want to work there. Sometimes what seems like a “fun” environment to others may not be the right environment for you to work in. On the other hand, it may be the perfect place for you to grow in your career.

 

What is an Interviewer REALLY Asking When They Say “Tell me About Yourself”?

You are in an important interview for a job you really want at a company that gets you really excited about your career. As you sit across from the potential employer, you smile and know things are going well. Then, they ask the question, “Tell me about yourself?” What do you say to that?

The common answer that interviewees give is about their work experience. Some will discuss their personal lives. Others will answer with comments about what they like to do and what they did last night. None of these answers is the right one from the perspective of the person giving the interview.

What’s He Really Saying?

When heading to an interview, realize that the person asking you questions is not always going to be looking for the answer to that question. In other words, he or she may ask one question but is probing for a completely different one. It is up to you to understand the true meaning of any question prior to answering it. This is not always an easy process, though.

In order to know what the interviewer is really saying, you need to do two big things: listen to the entire question and notice any cues he is giving you. If you can do those things, you will be able to answer any question, including this one accurately.

What Is the Interviewer Looking for in Those Questions?

In most situations, a job interviewer is looking for the best candidate to fill a specific position. To learn if the person sitting across from them at the desk is that person, he needs to find the answers to some very specific questions, including these.

  • Can you do the job? Will you do the job?
  • What special skills do you have that others do not have that makes you a better choice?
  • What experiences do you have that makes you a better choice over other applicants?
  • What do you have to offer to me that is something the company is lacking?

Knowing what information the interviewer is after, you can provide a better answer to the question asked to you. Ask yourself, how you can answer these questions in a way that provides the information the interviewer is really looking for you to provide.

Know the Cues

Secondly, notice any cues that the interviewer is putting out there. These can be key indications of what information is necessary and what may not be. More so, the cues are often signals to you as to how you should answer questions. For example, the following are some cues you may see.

  • The interviewer is distracted by something else in the room.
  • The interviewer is interrupting your replies, which shows he or she is impatient.
  • He keeps looking at the wall.
  • He is slouching.
  • He is listening intently to what you are saying.

If the interviewer seems distracted, he or she may be annoyed with how long your answers are. If he is interrupting, you may not be answering in the right manner.

Tell Me About Yourself

Keeping all of this in mind, the answer to this question comes down to just a few things. Can you communicate well with others? Do you have the ability to set goals and to stay on track? Can you handle rejections? In other words, are you able to answer these questions in a way that delivers the responses he or she needs?

Get ready for a great new part time or full time career when you work with Advance  Staffing Solutions. Let us help you get ready for those upcoming interviews so you can be successful in your quest for the right job.

4 Job Search Stalls to Watch Out For

What is stalling out your job search? Today’s economic conditions and bad unemployment numbers mirror the frustrations that many job seekers have. However, by some expert’s calculations, people are often sabotaging themselves out of jobs. As you are applying for various positions, ask yourself if you could be doing anything that could be hurting your chances of success. Would you call you back for an interview? Knowing what the most common job search stalls are can help you to avoid them.

#1: Being a Passive Seeker

One of the biggest mistakes you will make is being a passive job seeker. For example, do you network locally? Do you get out of the house and talk to people in professional organizations associated with your field? Even more so, when someone gives you information about a potential job, do you follow through? If you are making these types of mistakes, you are missing opportunities that could land you the career you want. Ask yourself if you are doing anything that could reduce your success here.

#2: You Aren’t Taking All The Chances

Another common problem that can stall a job search is simply not taking those changes. Misinformation or assumptions can lead you down the wrong path. Realize there are plenty of opportunities for you to land the type of job you want and need even if you do not think you are qualified for the position. In short, just because you do not meet all of the qualifications listed doesn’t mean you won’t land the job. Apply – it cannot hurt.

#3: You Have A Bad Attitude

It is hard to stay motivated and pushing towards success when you are struggling to keep your head above water. However, when you walk into a job interview or talk to someone that may know of a position for you, they are not going to go any further if they can see that bad attitude on your face. Keep yourself positive. Keep striving to stay motivated throughout the process, too.

#4: You Are Holding Out

Are you the type of person that is holding out for that perfect job with the corner office or with that big firm you just want to be a part of? Chances are good holding out like this is going to hurt you in the long term. You can always wait for that ideal job after you are hired and working for another firm now. Employers with the better jobs are more likely to consider you if you are working in the field anyway. Sometimes, taking a job that is in the field, even if it is not the ideal position, is the route to take.

Job seekers can easily become frustrated. Instead of making every day about finding a job, do give yourself one day a week at least where you walk away from it all to clear your head. Most importantly, give yourself the opportunity to succeed by always staying the course. You may find it a bit difficult to these things, but doing so can help you to find the right job sooner rather than later.

4 Tips for a Long-Distance Job Search that Get Results

Several areas of the country have faced worse economic conditions than others. Some areas have been so depressed there is little prospect for opportunities for job seekers. As a result, many people have decided to conduct a long-distance job search to try and find employment in other communities. Trying to conduct a long distance job search can be a daunting task. The areas are unfamiliar. Following the right steps can make the job search easier.

Focus On Options

One of the surprising aspects of conducting a job search in another area is the greater competition with other candidates. It can also be a more time consuming process.  It is necessary to focus and concentrate on the jobs being sought after in this job search, which may be different depending on the locale.  For this reason, start by limiting the number of locations to search in. Take into account your personal situation and apply it to these areas. Look at cost of living, local schools, and quality of life. Many areas try to advertise to people moving to their areas by showing what their areas have to offer. Look into what areas have the best job prospects in your industry. Limit the search to twenty positions get a better idea of prospects in each area.

Access Your Network

Having a well-developed network can help uncover  long-distance career opportunities. Friends and family who have relocated can be consulted regarding job opportunities. Professional contacts can also be utilized to learn of new job openings. Use online searches for terms like “telecommute”, “relocation assistance” and “remote” for the best results when looking for a long-distance job. Consider joining a nationwide professional association in your industry. These organizations offer job search assistance to members and direct access to unadvertised openings in different parts of the country within the industry.

Social Media

The use of social media has enhanced the ability to research information and communicate with others remotely. Sites like Facebook and Twitter allow more people to communicate from other parts of the country. Developing a professional profile and a strategic business network through these sites can help enhance job prospects. People very often share information on who is hiring and what kinds of jobs may be available. Sites like Digg and Stumble upon may give news and information about employment in several locations.

Register With Employment Firms

It is a good idea to register with a national staffing firm, like Advance Temporary Services, to access openings across the country. Getting involved with the local office of a national company gives access to resources for openings throughout the country. Representatives should be aware that you are willing to relocate to assist your job search. Contacting recruiters and search firms in the areas of interest can give information about employment markets.

 

A long-distance job search can be challenging, but not impossible if you follow the above tips. Using the proper resources can make it easier.  Get a job start on your long-distance job search by working with the career experts at Advance Temporary Services today.

Confessions of an HR Manager: Why I Love a Great Staffing Agency

A special thank you to our client, Meredith Soleau, Human Resources Director at Ed Schmidt Auto, Inc. for writing this post.

I’ll never forget the first time I called Advance Staffing Services.  I was beyond stressed.

My Lead Administrative Assistant was going to be out for a medical emergency, and we had no idea when she would be able to return to work. It was a total crisis. Visions of me answering the phone and making customer receipts danced through my head.

I needed help. Thus began the beautiful relationship between the Ed Schmidt Auto Group and Advance Staffing.

Finding help that day was easy. It was honestly easier than ordering a pizza. They delivered Jacque to our doorstep the next morning, and she was absolutely perfect. She handled the Administrative position much better than I ever could have, and she was already trained!  We ended up loving Jacque so much that we’ve found her a permanent position in our company, and she is now our employee.

I’ve really relied on Advance Staffing over the years. I call them for a variety of staffing needs.

  • Temporary Assignments: They handle both short and long term temporary assignments.
  • Temporary to Hire:  I can “test” and employee and decide if they would be a perfect fit before I hire them on my staff.
  • Direct Hires:  They take care of my entire recruiting process.
  • Professional Search:  They seek out the top talent in the industry and feed me the best. This is especially useful when you never stop recruiting for very hard to find, niche positions.

As the head of a small HR department, I’ve found there are many advantages to using a staffing agency.

Cost & Time Effective
My time is worth money.  The time it takes to recruit, hire, and train an employee is valuable.  And when I make a hiring mistake?  It’s not as if I can just send them away.  There are additional costs involved with replacing someone and leaving a position open during that time.

Advance Staffing removes cost per hire/cost of turnover concerns from the equation.  If I am not 100% satisfied with whom they’ve sent – they send me someone else.  If I need someone tomorrow – I have them on time, every time.

I no longer spend time to placing expensive help wanted advertisements, weeding through 100’s of resumes, interviewing, and waiting on background checks.  I simply call them and they deliver quality people time and time again.

It’s Flexible
I need extra help during our busiest times of the year.  The car business is cyclical, and I don’t want to be saddled with actual employees that would need to be terminated during out slower months.  So whether I need a little extra help during our annual inventory audits or extra people to assist with customers, it’s great to know I can adjust my staff size with temporary help based on business need.

Forming Relationships
Jacque is a perfect example of how long lasting relationships can be built with Advance Staffing employees.  She was able to show us her abilities, and when a position opened in our company, we were able to hire her.  She was noticed as a top performer before I ever had to place an advertisement.  A connection was made between us (the employer) and Jacque (the employee).

At the end of the day, that’s what human capital is all about.  Humans.

Turn Temporary Assignments into Permanent Positions

Source: graur razvan ionut / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Looking for a permanent position with a great company? Try temporary staffing assignments! There are many reasons why you will want to consider accepting temporary work while you search for a more stable career option. In an effort to cut costs, many more companies are turning to temporary workers to maintain productivity, without the long-term commitment until the economy picks up. At this point, temps will be in the prime spot to be offered perm positions. A recent article in USA Today indicated that as many as 5% of new positions with big firms will be temporary assignments while the economy recovers.

Staffing agencies abound with many part time and full time temporary assignments that can help you stay abreast of career openings, give you plenty of real work experience and provide a nice income while you search for the perfect career. Here are some ways to turn temporary jobs into permanent roles.

Communicate your desire for permanent placement. One of the best ways to position yourself for a permanent opportunity is to speak up and let your staffing representative know. Since there are many candidates who are happy to work for a temporary time frame, recruiters do not automatically know that you are looking for more permanent placement. Never assume that your temp job will become a perm one. Communicate and often that you want a long-term job and most likely you will be thought of when the contract is up.

Become part of the corporate culture fast. A great way to land yourself a full time permanent assignment from a temporary work arrangement is to blend into the company culture that you are working in. Get to know as many people at the company as you can, offer to take on more responsibilities, and learn what makes the company tick. Take the mission statement on as your personal motto and become the go-to person in your area of expertise. Then when your contract comes up for renewal, you will already be a valuable part of the team the company will want to keep on board.

Respect your temporary assignment. From your very first day onward, be sure to follow the rules at your temporary assignment for the best chances of getting hired on. This means, showing up for work on time every shift, dressing for success, and following all instructions as given. Don’t try to test the waters early on, rather get to know the people you will be working with by observing and asking plenty of relevant questions. Show interest and pride in your work daily. Treat all others with respect, especially customers. You want to be remembered for your positive qualities if you want to get hired permanently.

Keep learning new skills. Being a temporary worker means being in the best possible position to learn all you can about new things. Take this time to learn as much as you can about your role, the industry you are working in, and the people you work for. Take classes in any area you may feel weak in as many staffing companies offer additional training opportunities both online and in the office. Seek out mentors and earn insight from more experienced employees. The more you know, the more valuable you will be when it comes time to hire people.

Need more career tips and access to great temporary assignments to launch your career? Please feel free to explore our Job Seeker’s portal at Advance Staffing Solutions today.

For Candidates: Temping Dos and Don’ts

Becoming a temporary worker can be an ideal solution for candidates who are either unable to find a permanent position or for those who are “trying on” jobs before settling on a specific career. Temporary workers can enjoy above average wages, flexible work hours and a wide variety of different tasks to be found at each assignment. Additionally, many companies choose to keep down hiring costs by only hiring candidates through temporary staffing agencies.

There are some temping dos and don’ts for handling this correctly so that it will be a positive experience for all. Here are some tips for temping the right way.

Do – Apply to the Best Temporary Staffing Agencies

It’s always a good idea to have several options in your employment by registering for work with several quality temporary staffing agencies, such as Advance Staffing Solutions. That’s because the best staffing companies are contacted by upper level companies and can offer a wider variety of assignments at higher pay scales. The larger staffing companies take the time to get to know you, your needs to match you up with the best assignment. They also very often offer employee benefits and bonus programs.

Don’t – Go Overboard and Register for Every Employment Agency in Town

You may think you should apply everywhere, but this will backfire. This is because you may find yourself being offered below average wages by staffing companies that don’t have a solid reputation in the business. Remember that the smaller agencies are usually competing with each other for business and so they will take any and all assignments to try to place people in roles that they may not be 100% suitable for. You could find yourself in an assignment you don’t like with little pay going this route.

Do – Keep in Touch with Your Agent at the Temporary Services Company

The person to whom you will be reporting to, as a temporary worker can be your best ally if you know how and when to communicate. Be sure to touch base with your agent at least once per week, and always respond quickly to phone calls or emails for the best chance of getting great assignments. If your personal information or work status changes, be courteous and let your agent know as soon as possible.

Don’t – Call Your Agent Daily To Nag Them for Work

This tactic has been used in the past by ill-fated temporary workers. If you call your temporary agent daily, all you do is annoy them and you most likely will never get called for an assignment, Remember that you are not the only person looking for work and that for every minute you are on the phone trying to make the recruiter feel guilty about your lack of work could be a minute spent contacting companies looking for more assignments. Be kind and respect the time of the recruiter you are working with.

Do – Arrive at Your Assignment on Time, Dressed and Ready for Work

This is actually a grave mistake that new temporary workers have made. The key to being successful in a temp job is to show up for work at the agreed upon time, in fact be early for your shift! Make sure you find out what the dress code of the assignment calls for, whether it is business casual or steel toes boots. Be dressed and ready to work on the morning of your assignment. Have your notebook and pen ready to take notes, and leave the personal business behind when you get to the temp assignment.

Don’t – Lie About Your Background

The vast majority of temporary staffing agencies make a concerted effort to always check the background of all of their candidates. This can mean checking past work references, educational and training credentials, and running a criminal background check and drug test. If you think you can get an assignment by not revealing something shameful in your past, think again. Lying will not only waste the recruiter’s time, it can also cost you in the form of background and drug test fees which some agencies are passing along to candidates who try to fool them.

Do – Take Advantage of the Training and Resources at the Staffing Company

Along with placing candidates into rewarding temporary assignments, many staffing companies offer a wide range of other training and information services for job seekers. This is to help candidates to put their best foot forward, to brush up on work skills and ace interviews. Some agencies even offer resume and cover letter help, skills testing and job search counseling. Take advantage of these services and you will be more successful in your job search.

If you would like to learn more about great temporary assignments, be sure to visit the Job Seekers portal we offer at Advance Staffing Solutions today!