The 10 Commandments of Temping

Every business day, hundreds of thousands Job Seekers, many of them new immigrants, people recently laid off and looking for something new, college students and new college graduates, go out on short term work assignments as temporary employees. Few, however, make the rewarding experience it can be, for both themselves and their employers. Here are 10 tips to do just that:

1. You Shall Accept Various Assignments
If you , like many, are temping with the hope of learning about various companies and industries, you need to be flexible when considering assignments. Don't turn down an assignment unless you're absolutely convinces it will be a poor fit.

2. You Shall Keep in Mind The Reasons for Temping in the First Place
Did you seek temporary work so that you'd have one or two days a week to pursue the type of job you'd really like to have?  if so, don’t fall into the trap of accepting assignments five days a week. On the other hand, if you need the money from temping to pay the bills, be sure to set aside enough days or hours during the week to earn the cash you need.

3. You Shall Go Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Once you're in your temporary workplace-- be it for a few hours, a few days or a few weeks-- do more than what's expected of you. Simply being competent and completing the work you're assigned is enough to get you noticed in many companies. So if you show enthusiasm and do more than you're required to, you'll gain respect and the chance to have other possibilities.

4. You Shall Get to know as Many People and Departments as Possible
This especially important if you're using temping as a sort of stepping stone to bigger, better and more permanent things. The more you can sense what's going on in the company and why, through simple casual conversations with your coworkers, the more opportunities you'll likely sport and the better the chances you'll know who to approach about those opportunities.

5. You Shall Seek out Extra Assignments
You'll sometimes find yourself with a little or no real work to do in temporary assignments. Don’t cure your boredom by reading a magazine or browsing your phone. Instead, ask your supervisor or others in the company if there's anything you can help them with, especially if doing so will give you a chance to learn a new thing or participate in an important project.


6.You Shall Promote Your Skills
Your supervisor may have a copy of your resume, but it's likely he or she hasn’t had the time or inclination to look at it. Take a moment to write up a brief (half-page) memo describing the types of things you can do for the company. often, your supervisor will be pleasantly surprised to discover that you're able to take on unexpected tasks and assignments.

7. You Shall Ask Questions--More than Once if Necessary
The short-term embarrassment you might suffer by asking what you perceive to be dumb questions wont compare to the embarrassment you'll experience by screwing up an assignment your supervisor thought you understood.

8.You Shall Keep a Resume ready and up to date at All Times
You never know when your supervisor or someone else in the company is going to approach you about a full-time position. After all, as a successful temp you'll be a "proven" employee, not the risk the employer would have to take by hiring someone from the outside.

9.You Shall Prepare a "Mini Commercial" Describing your Goals and Skills
If you do good work for the company and spend some time getting to know your coworkers, someone will likely ask you, "So, what kind of job are you really looking for?" you need to be ready to respond with a 15-second "advertisement" so that the person quickly understands what you want and what you might contribute, be it to his or her company or someone else's.

10. You Shall Stay Positive
It can be very difficult to hold your head high, especially when half of your coworkers refer to you as "the temp" instead of calling you by your real name. but with a good attitude and a little grace under pressure, you'll likely earn the respect of your coworkers and bosses, have a good overall experience and possible land a permanent position.

Original article found on http://www.caroltemporaries.com