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Far from the stereotypes associated with temping and perpetuated in movies like Reality Bites and Clockwatchers, there are now opportunities for professional and technical work assignments in a broad range of industries. Staffing services play an important role in just-in-time management practices and many temp assignments lead to permanent entry-level employment in line with the career interests of the recent college graduate.

According to Saralee Terry Woods, author of Executive Temping:

"Temp agencies, now called staffing services, have become an integral part of the marketplace from Main Street to Wall Street. For most companies the issue is not whether to use temps but rather how many, in which areas and for what terms. The employment structure of business has been forever redefined."

Both Erin Zeurcher (Director of the Legal Division of Certified Employment) and Laura Winter (Director of the Campus Connection - 415- 982-2211) stress that they work carefully with individual applicants to find out what their skills and interests are and what they really want to do. To do so is in their interest. Making a "good match" on an assignment keeps client companies calling back.

Many staffing services have broadened their job-matching function to include skills testing and training. A recent survey conducted by the American Staffing Association (ASA) maintains that 90% of staffing agencies offer some kind of training with no cost to the employee. This could be anything from free tutorials on the latest versions of software applications to interviewing skills training.

"Temping gives you the flexibility to explore different industries and careers without having to apply for a full-time position," according to Nestor Nuñez (BA Political Science May `01) who has been temping off and on since graduation in law firms and on accounting assignments lasting from a few days to 6 months.

NN: It can give you an insider's view of a company, as well as let you meet people, either employees or fellow temps, whom you can then add to your network. If the client company that you're temping with is engaged in a field that you're interested in, then the employees can also become a valuable resource. The insight that one can gain from temping has definitely helped me define and decide what field I would like to go into, as well as help eliminate those which I would not. I am interested in pursuing a legal career, and a lot of my exposure to the field has come from temping.

Elisabeth Clobucker (BA History, December `98) has been temping since September 2001 having returned from two years of working with the Peace Corps in Poland. She has worked mostly in administrative and receptionist positions on various assignments lasting from a week to 5 months.

EC: I was an English teacher with the Peace Corps. I decided to temp to make some money while I was searching for a permanent position. I also thought that it would be good for me to get some experience working in the States again. I like the fact that I have been able to meet many different people, and to work in many different environments. It has given me confidence that I am a quick learner, and I can only hope that I soon will find a permanent position.

CC: What's the downside of temping?

NN: Due to the current state of the local economy, and as temp work is a mirror of that, I haven't been getting as much temp work as I would like. If you are considered for a position, you are considered with other candidates, and the client company will choose the one with the most experience, which may not be you. Unlike a regular job, unless you accrue a certain number of hours, you do not receive benefits.

EC: It is hard to be stuck at a temp position when you are trying to job search. Juggling working at a temporary position and scheduling interviews is particularly difficult.

CC: Any advice for students and recent graduates considering the temping option?

NN: Choose those agencies that can place you in fields that you are interested in or want to get into. Be specific as to what kind of assignments and positions you would like to be placed for, but also be flexible. Keep the agency posted of your availability on a weekly basis, and use your contact as a resource, i.e. find out what experience or skills are helpful to the field that you want to be placed in.

EC: I think it is important to be completely honest with agencies. I have learned in my situation to tell the agencies that my main focus is finding a permanent position.

CC: Any final thoughts?

NN: Temping is not looked down upon by employers, and temp assignments can lead to permanent employment. Even if your assignment isn't the best or most enjoyable, take what you can out of it and maintain a positive attitude because that is how you can prepare for working full-time at a permanent position.

EC: Good luck to everyone entering the job market in this really difficult time. I have become really frustrated at times, but have tried to keep my confidence up during this long job search. I think that is very important.

Additional Resources

Life After Temping: How to Portray Your Temping Experience When You Seek A Permanent Career

JobSeek - National database maintained by the American Staffing Association

Oya Directory of Recruiters - Online database of industry and location specific recruiters

Net-Temps - Job posting board specializing in the Staffing industry serving direct placement and temporary professionals

Temporary Employment section