Has anyone worked for a temp agency? What exactly do they do, and would you recommend working there?

Question

Has anyone worked for a temp agency? What exactly do they do, and would you recommend working there?

Answer 1

Working for a temp agency can be a liberating experience because if you hate the job, you don't have to give any notice, just call the agency and ask to be re-assigned.  The bad thing is you don't get any health benefits.  So it's a toss-up.

Answer 2

I have, many times!  You sign up (never go to a place that charges you to join!) and they evaluate which job goes best with you.   Sometimes, it's a stretch due to what's in demand.  Example:  If you know your way about a keyboard, they may put you in a software company.  I'd try to go with a more "known" company such as TAC or Kelly Services.  After they find something for you, they give you all the info on where to go and who to report to.  Always get the rate of pay up front, too.  I had a buddy that used to take assignment without ever knowing how much he was going to make.  Remember, it's ok to turn down something, too.  They usually just pass that job to someone else who may be less selective with what they want.  I've stayed at places for close to a year and as short as 1 day.  

Temping (or "contract work") is a good way to stay busy while trying to find something more perm, too.  The potential downside is being considered by "regular" employees as just "some temp".  I used to call it my Lake Theory:

When you temp, it's like someone showing you this pretty lake that you get to stay near for a short amount of time.  When you go perm, you see the Lake, but you also see all c**p, muck and mire that's beneath it, too.

Good luck!

Dave

Answer 3

Yes i have worked for temp agency's intermittently for many years since 1995, and it can work for you for two reasons, if you do not have much work history then this is somewhere to start for a variety of work and to get different experience as well as training because really temp agency's are there to fill as many positions they can when company's request the help to fill positions, now if you have any good skills and experience you are going to be giving priority based on which temp agency you go to and they might test you or simply call your former employer based on either or, you can bet you will be given more higher payed assignments and put on contract to hire meaning after a certain time if you prove yourself the company hires you on direct with more pay and benefits. so yes they can be your best way to get employment if it is taking a toll on an individual job hunting.

Answer 4

Most of the time they match your skills to employers who are looking for help. Some times the jobs are for a couple of days, week, or months.  Other times you can work on a temp for hire basis which mean if they like you they will hire you.  You get paid through the temp agency unless the company you're doing temp work decides to hire you.  You can try manpower, jobpro, or kelly services.

Answer 5

yes i have. basically you go in and the evaluate what type of position you are looking for and what type you would be best at. they might give you simple test or a typing test. they find you a position and send you there for an interveiw. then if your hired you work for that company and they pay the agancy and the agancy pays you. after a few monthsthey might decide they want to keep you and ask you to work for the company at that point the company will put you on their payroll, or they might decide to let you go. the temp means that they arent looking for someone long term.