Anyone office temping??

bobsman

Hi folks, my longterm contract is now up:( and am looking for something part time but there is absolutely nothing going. I can work in the louth/meath/dublin area. Have never temped before and am just wondering if it is something worth considering?? I have vast secretarial/reception/admin experience - any advice??

Selfheal

Hi

I took voluntary redundancy last year and started temping around Christmas. Signed up with several different agencies. Work was slow enough to begin with (nothing in January), a couple of bits and pieces in February but then I've been temping almost full-time since Easter in loads of different places. It just takes a while to get yourself established with the agencies but once you've done one job for them, they will keep calling you back.

Make sure, once you've met them and registered with them that you keep in touch and let them know you are available. I either rang or emailed them every week. The key is really to build up a good relationship with your contact in the agency.

Some agencies have a higher volume of work than others of course, and you'll get a sense of this pretty quickly. One agency rang me this week about a role and said they are pretty busy at the moment, so this is a good time to get started.

I've worked for anything from €10 per hour (just did that for one day, and swore never again), several roles at €12 per hour, and a couple of longish plum assignments ranging from €16-17.50 an hour.

Have fun!

Mrs OBumble

Selfheal wrote: »

The key is really to build up a good relationship with your contact in the agency.

This is the crucial bit - you need to get to inside their head, so they think of you when they have a role.

bobsman

Thank you guys - gives me a bit of hope!! I am more secretarial but have been just doing Reception for about 5 years - do you think this would hold me back?? cheers:D

Selfheal

It won't hold you back at all. There are loads of temping reception jobs and agencies love to see that you have specialised in something. Reception tends to pay a little bit less than secretarial though (and better rates available especially if you can do audio/dicta typing).

Don't worry - you'll soon find that you are pretty busy and can pick and choose assignments.

I always use temping as a go-between in between "proper" jobs. It's great if you like change and variety and if and when you do decide to look for something longer term again, you can say in all honesty that temping has taught you to be even more flexible, adaptable and able to pick up a lot of information very quickly!

bobsman

Thanks again folks - just a quick question - are you generally expected to work a full week or can you get the odd day here and there?? cheers

poopsie

I'm currently in a part-time job that just pays minimum wage. I'm considering quitting so I can temp. and eventually get a full-time job. Is this advisable? Also, is age a factor as I am in my 50's.

Mrs OBumble

poopsie wrote: »

I'm currently in a part-time job that just pays minimum wage. I'm considering quitting so I can temp. and eventually get a full-time job. Is this advisable? Also, is age a factor as I am in my 50's.

what sort of part time - do you have some free days, or is it a few hours you work each day?

If so, I'd register with some agencies, looking for work on the days you are free.

Selfheal

Hi Bobsman

You can get either - my experience this year has been that in January/Feb when not many people taking holidays you would tend to get single days or maybe 2-3 days here and there to cover people calling in sick. There are still plenty of those but my view is that until you are well established with an agency and at the top of their list you are best just to say yes to everything that comes up. After that, you can get choosy....

bobsman

Folks, can ye recommend any reputable agencies?? Email me privately, if you prefer. I have sent a few cvs and no response yet��, cheers.

poopsie

Thanks, Mrs. O'Bumble! I hadn't considered that but it's a great idea. I'll check into it. Would be a nice way to ease myself into temping.

Mrs OBumble

Forget emailing, it won't get you into anyone's head.

At very least phone and talk to a consultant - and then call them back every week too.

But ideally get busy on LinkedIn. Find out who you know who knows a recruiter, and ask them to introduce you. Find out who you know who works in a place that might hire temps - and ask them to consider you the next time they need someone.

chancer12

Any chance an 18 year old would get temp work? My daughter has just finished LC and is desperate to get any kind of work. She's looked for the usual supermarket/retail etc but no joy. However, she has good office skills and I wonder if any agency would consider her or all they all looking for the 'min 2 yrs experience' that everyone seems to specify but nobody offers?