Temp Agencies? Are the worth it?

Question

Im about to get laid off my job due to down sizing, I want to know if going through a temp agency is worth trying. I have never had to go through one, so I dont know how the operate.

Answer 1

I got my last 4 perm jobs starting out as a temp (accounting) going back 14 yrs

Answer 2

First, get a letter of recommendation from your current employer and make a lot of copies of it that you can provide to potential employers and to temp agencies.

Second, You don't have to pay the temp agency; whatever employer hires you pays it.

Tihrd, register with more than one agency; be sure you keep agency advised of the companies you've interviewed with so they can't be trying to claim a fee when another agency sent you there.

Fourth, keep looking on your own as well.  Lots of agencies are great in placing people; others just want to get you in and signed up and don't bother too much in trying to place you.  Also, some "temp" agencies specialize only in short-term placements while others actually provide permanent placement offers as well.

So, shop around; some are better than others.

Answer 3

They are good for certain skills that are pretty much universal, like data entry, typing, etc. All the major temp firms have websites, and you can register online. They may call you in to test your skills on certain things (like knowledge of Microsoft Office, so they can compare you with other employees registered with them). They do sometimes have temp-to-hire positions, or long-term temporary positions.

Answer 4

They are handy in your situation. You can get work fairly quickly.  The good thing about them is that if you move around companies you can often get a permanent job if they like you and you like them.

They're good in that if you go somewhere and you don't like it you can move elsewhere at the drop of a hat.  Also you won't get sucked into office politics in the same way.

Moneywise, it depends what you do.  You might get paid less, or you might get paid more.  For some jobs, you can get classed as self-employed, and there are tax perks to be had, the temp agency often adminster them.

Downside, you won't get pension or those sort of perks, and minimum holidays, but you can gegt extra holidays between jobs if you don't mind not getting paid for a week or two.