Doing 'temping' work

TheMagicPirate

TheMagicPirate

TheMagicPirate

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I'm in a total rut at the moment. I know that I want a job but I'm not entirely sure doing what. I'm pretty certain I want to get into project management, but I must admit I'm not 100% sure that the job is in real life, what it is in my head.

Anyway, I'm thinking about dropping my current part time job (Cinema supervisor :rolleyes:) in favour of some temping work.

My theory is that I will be exposed to a wide range of jobs and area's and that this will help me better understand what I am good at and what I want to do. But more importantly, it will give me more experience, which despite being in employment for over 7 years is currently a little 'specific'.

What are peoples experiences with either being or employing temp staff?
How hard is it to get work? I would prefer stuff that interests me, but wouldn't have a problem doing to rubbish jobs too, after all, money is money.
And, do you think I will be frowned or smiled upon in my CV for dropping a permanent job to do temp work?

Any advise greatly appreciated.
 
Temp work I've had through agencies has been pretty tedious stuff, although this was at the lowest level. Are you aiming for anything in particular?
 
A2Z said:
Have you been awake for the last year or so?
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Yeah, for most of it at least.

I stand by my original question. I am well aware of the credit crunch, or economic crisis, or moneygeddon, or whatever. I know that there are tons of people out of work looking for jobs. But I think it is a reasonable assumption that because of this, many companies are opting for employing temp staff for short term contracts in order to save on costs. I don't know, maybe I am wrong, hence my question.
 
Erm, to be perfectly honest, I'm signed up with a couple of agencies, and look on about 3 sites daily with no specific search field other than a 30 mile radius...And there is hardly anything about, and I've probably had one call from an agency.

That about sums up the climate at the moment :p

Unless you are willing to wait for a couple of weeks every so often, only to get 2 weeks temp work, then fine, leave your current job...Just be prepared to have to be out of work.

Might sound harsh, but you probably are better off staying where you are at the moment, or atleast try looking for a junior project manager / assistant type role that is on a 3 / 6 month contract or something.

Just please, don't straight out leave your current place.
 
Delvis said:
Erm, to be perfectly honest, I'm signed up with a couple of agencies, and look on about 3 sites daily with no specific search field other than a 30 mile radius...And there is hardly anything about, and I've probably had one call from an agency.

.......

Just please, don't straight out leave your current place.
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Thats settled it for me. As much as I'd like to I can't afford to take that risk.

Cheers mate.
 
Delvis said:
Might sound harsh, but you probably are better off staying where you are at the moment, or atleast try looking for a junior project manager / assistant type role that is on a 3 / 6 month contract or something.

Just please, don't straight out leave your current place.
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Agree with above.

Just try do both. Lots of people these days do two jobs. Or one permanent part time job (cut down your hours of your current one) and then try mixing it up with part time temp work.
 
I had an awesome temp job last year.

I had to pack small boxes in to a slightly bigger box and then put them all in to one big box. Was awesome ;)

I haven't tried the temp agencies this year but friends have had trouble looking for summer work.
 
TheMagicPirate said:
many companies are opting for employing temp staff for short term contracts in order to save on costs. I don't know, maybe I am wrong, hence my question.
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I'd say there's a difference between taking people on for short term contracts and what I'd generally consider to be "temping".
Delvis said:
Unless you are willing to wait for a couple of weeks every so often, only to get 2 weeks temp work, then fine, leave your current job...Just be prepared to have to be out of work.
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Aye, "temping" is certainly not something to rely on, especially at the moment.
TheMagicPirate said:
I know I don't want to be in retail anymore :)
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If you're not necessarily looking for something that'll be a future career, and you've no great commitments, perhaps some voluntary work? Plenty of potential for interesting stuff.
 
I temp every year in the summer holls at the same place, im guessing i only get the job because ive been there 3 years in a row now, and can guarantee ill go in for 6 weeks - 2 months and do exacltly what they tell me, reliability i suppose.

Its a nice bank balance booster and experience, but its boring as hell.

Im not sure how much temp work there is out there, im guessing not much, but it will probably be dull work if you do get a job.

Unless you can be sure your going to get work, and dont mind being bored to death, i wouldnt quit your job so fast.
 
Put it this way, I did a temp job for just over a week...All I did was use a pressing machine to punch holes into a piece of metal that plasterers use...all day..and yeah, tedious ;)
 
Delvis said:
Put it this way, I did a temp job for just over a week...All I did was use a pressing machine to punch holes into a piece of metal that plasterers use...all day..and yeah, tedious ;)
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Heh, I did 1.5 days in a chocolate factory before quitting, it's my benchmark for tedious work.
 
I temped for about 2 years and it was pretty rare for me to be out of work during that time, ok so most of the work was uninteresting and didn't lead on to a full time job but it gave me money and let me know a few things I didn't want to do. How good you find it will depend on the area you live in and the agency or agencies you choose to go with.
 
semi-pro waster said:
I temped for about 2 years and it was pretty rare for me to be out of work during that time, ok so most of the work was uninteresting and didn't lead on to a full time job but it gave me money and let me know a few things I didn't want to do. How good you find it will depend on the area you live in and the agency or agencies you choose to go with.
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True, just doing it now is going to be rather silly. :)

If you're temping now, most likely you'll be doing boring tedious and monotonous work, as employers can get those jobs done cheaper by temps rather than full time employees.
 
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