Temporary work can be a rewarding career choice for those with a desire to explore new ways of working, tools, systems and even entirely new industries! But when it comes to taking on your first few assignments, we know that jumping right in can be a little daunting, which is why we’ve put together a handy guide containing everything you need to know to find success in the early days of your temping career.
Whether you’re temping in between study, between permanent work or interested in making it a full-time career all on its own, check out the quick tips below to get started, and don’t forget to download our full guide for comprehensive advice that will ensure you hit the ground running from Day One.
In this temp guide, you will find out:
- Why you should choose temping as a career
- How to get the most out of temping
- Advice on how to get started
- Practical tips and tricks for success
Why Temp?
Far from being only an interim measure, temping can be an exciting career in its own right. Here’s why:
- Improve Your Work/Life Balance
Because of the flexibility of temp work, it is perfect for people who may not be interested in full-time permanent positions, giving you more control over where you’re working, when, and the kind of work you’re doing. - Enjoy Variety in Your Working Life
Want to keep your days interesting and get a taste of a range of different projects? Temp jobs offer a huge amount of variety, allowing you to avoid doing the same thing day after day. - Gain Experience
Due to assignments being short-term, temping allows you to experience a wide variety of work with the skills you have, often in all different kinds of industries. This can help to refine your current skills and learn new ones, whilst earning the same or more as you would as a full-time employee. - Broaden Your Network
Temping allows you to develop relationships with people all over the industry. This will open doors to future opportunities, bolstering your CV and broadening your professional network with potential referees, mentors and even future employers.
Tips for Getting Started
If you’ve got the new job jitters, never fear! These quick temping tips will put you well on your way to a successful and satisfying temp career.
1. Be Prepared for Your First Day
Most employers will expect you to be ready to hit the ground running (or at least walking) when starting a temp job, which means a little bit of prep can go a long way to making your first assignments less bumpy. Before you start, we recommend you find out what to expect from the role, familiarise yourself with the health & safety information provided and know what equipment you need to bring.
On the day, be sure to show up on time, make the effort to introduce yourself to people you meet, pay attention to briefings and ask questions any time you’re uncertain.
2. Make Connections
Networking can be highly valuable in the world of temping, and temporary work is going to give you lots of chances to make those key connections. It’s a good idea to find out who’s who, be intentional about learning people’s names, try to meet people outside your team and take an active interest in those around you.
3. Stay Open-Minded and Keep Learning
As we talked about earlier, working in temporary assignments is a fabulous way to encounter new methods of working, tools, systems and sometimes entirely new industries. As a temporary worker, you’ll frequently encounter chances to gain new qualifications, certifications and licenses, and build a CV full of on-the-job training in the fields that you enjoy. If you stay open-minded, there’s a lot you can learn in this career.
4. Give It Your All
Even though your assignment is temporary, you should give it your all. Temps who put 110% into their work, show initiative and do a great job are a rare find, and employers always prefer these committed employees over those who don’t seem to care about their job.
Get More Advice for New Temps
As you prepare to begin your first temp jobs, know that OneStaff is here to take care of you. While it’s natural to feel like you’re being thrown in the deep end at first, we will support you every step of the way and give you all the knowledge you need to be more than up to the challenge!
As a specialist temp recruitment agency working all over New Zealand, we have the industry connections and market know-how to set you up for success. The above is just a snippet of the useful insights and must-know info we share in our “Guide to Working in Your First Temp Job” – have a read through the full guide to ensure you’re as prepared as possible for your next career move.
Plus, you will also get a free temping checklist to help you get ready for your next assignment! Click below to access your free copy of our exclusive temping handbook.
Ready to kick-start your temping career or want more advice for your first temp job? Speak to your local OneStaff consultant today – we can’t wait to help you along this exciting and rewarding journey.
