JOB MATTERS
Rather than simply filling a
gap, temps can now make
a career out of their varied
experience, says Nigel
Gordon-Johnson
emping is a useful tool for
T
companies who need to
fill staffing gaps, whether
someone is off sick for a
day or on maternity leave
for a year. On the other
hand it is also a good way for temporary
workers themselves to work around
commitments outside of the office, like
family responsibilities, and it’s a way of
plugging any employment gaps.
But today, temping has also become a
temping
fate
career in itself, especially in the business contacts, so utilise this. Keep in touch with sign off. The temporary assignment
support sector. It is a great way for PAs former colleagues and acquaintances – has, in a lot of cases, been used as a
and executive assistants to build up a social networking sites like LinkedIn and working interview where candidates can
varied and strong portfolio of experience. Twitter have made this easier than ever, prove their worth over a period of time.
When working in this way it’s essential and are also a way of letting people know This means that in the current climate,
that you make the most of it and think what you have been up to and showing temping can be an effective way to
about your future career development. off your credentials. You never know secure your next permanent roles.
When applying for temporary when these people might be the source Finally there has been much talk
assignments, ensure you’re marketing of a new opportunity. But networking and speculation about the Temporary
yourself, your skills and your experience should also include current contacts - Workers Agency Directive – new
in the best way possible, starting with take an interest in what your colleagues legislation designed to give temporary
your CV. It’s surprising how many people are doing and be enthusiastic. Offer help, workers the same rights as their
forget the basic rules of writing a CV so and once you start to attract attention permanent counterparts after 12
brush up on your technique if you’re make sure that you have an ‘elevator weeks, which is expected to come into
unsure. pitch’ ready for use – a quick and neat force during the latter part of 2011. At
However temporary projects can summary of your qualifications, abilities the moment it’s hard to know how this
sometimes prove problematic here, as and ambitions for the future. Using your will affect business support temps but
instead of conjuring up the image of a colleagues in this way isn’t the best there is a possibility, that if tighter rules
solid, reliable professional, your CV can idea in a permanent role, but while you are enforced, employers will stop using
start to look like it jumps around. The are temping it’s a highly effective and as many temps. If this becomes reality,
key to solving this particular problem completely acceptable approach to it will be even more important for office
is to focus on the essentials of each career development. support temps to get the best experience
assignment, what you learned within it There has also been a marked upturn possible and market themselves to the
to supplement your existing knowledge in temporary staff moving to permanent best of their ability.
and experience and how you helped to placement roles (temp to perm) across
deliver value to your employer. the board as organisations have tested Nigel Gordon-Johnson is a senior
An advantage of temporary work is that people out and proved the need for the role manager with recruitment specialist
it can also help build up your network of before obtaining permanent headcount Crone Corkill.
OS FEBRUARY/MARCH - 17
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