Pongo Resume

If you're a typical job seeker, you're looking for a job where you can stay for a few years. You like stability, structure, a daily routine, a steady paycheck, and good benefits.

Note that I said typical job seeker, because not everyone wants a long-term job. Some of us like adventure and change with a dollop of unpredictability, and thus prefer a series of temporary jobs. And, of course, the recession has forced others into temporary jobs, whether they like it or not. Sometimes you do what you gotta do.

In fact, the federal government says there was a 29% rise in temp jobs—a total of about 500,000—from September 2009 to November 2010, according to a report on NPR.org, the web site of National Public Radio. That rise comes in contrast to an unemployment rate that is stubbornly hanging on at less than 10%.

Why Are They Hiring More Temps?

Part of the rise in temp jobs can be linked to the slow rise in the economy. Employers that still see uncertainty ahead don't want to make long-term commitments to new hires, so they find temporary workers, contract workers, or freelance workers—call them what you will. Others hire temporary workers to cover for employees on leave, or to manage seasonal increases in workload.

The employers get the work done, don’t have to pay employee benefits, and can end the relationship when demand slows down, no questions asked. This trend is something we can expect for the long run, the NPR article suggests.

What’s In It for You?

Here are some of the possible benefits of working as a temp:

• A worker who lands a temporary position through a staffing agency usually gets paid a higher wage than a regular employee.
• Being a temp offers flexibility, and keeps your skills fresh.
• If you do a great job, the employer might decide to offer you a full-time job once they can afford to bring you on staff.
• If your skills can help several companies, you can build a reputation as an ideal "fill in" for specific, short-term, assignments.
• You can keep looking for a suitable full-time job while working temp jobs, rather than "settling" for something less than what you want.
• You might find you like living the life of a temporary worker, provided it keeps bringing in good money and you can count on steady work.

What about Benefits?

The downside to temp work, of course, is that if you really need such highly cherished benefits as health insurance and a retirement pension, you may be on your own (unless you have a spouse or domestic partner who can provide them). Although many staffing agencies offer benefits such as group health insurance after a certain number of hours worked, you’ll probably have to pay a large portion of the premiums yourself.

The big question is: Would you take the risk?

Have you ever taken a temporary job? How did it work out for you? Please tell us in a comment below.

RELATED LINKS

Can't Get Hired? Consider Temp or Contract Work
Laid Off? Try These Short-Term Jobs to Fill the Gap
Looking for Temporary Work? Try These Tips

Yes, I very much appreciated temping. I had the greatest boss I think I have ever had in my career. No regrets there. However, there are other downsides not mentioned in your article. When you temp, you also dont qualify for any type of loans. No bank or lender wants to take the risk of offering a loan to someone in "contract" statis. Next, you are constantly "reminded" that you are a temp (at a lot of places). In a lot of companies, temps are treated like "the help". Being a temp is not all that it is craked up to be. You are "excluded" from any Reindeer Games. And you dont always make more than regular employees. My wages were worse! And the constant feeling of being let go at any moment isnt glorious to me! I have seen it happen! I am not sure where your information comes from, but it doesnt come from those who have actually temped! My experience comes from very large, prestegious companies. And I can assure you, it wasnt my lack of performance for anything you might want to think up. I over exceeded. I enjoy what I do. I actually love my work. Like I said, my immediate supervisor was the best boss I ever had. Its the "culture" of a lot of companies to treat temps as "the help". Substandard. For what ever the reason. I just want to say to those out there who do treat temps that way. Someday you just might become a temp.

Yes I had a few Temp jobs. The last one worked out very well, hired full time in about 45days. Worked the job for about eight years. Will soon work another temp job.

I rarely worked for the "man" before, but always found myself self employed especially in later years (35 and older).

Now I find myself in a position of needing work as do many people these days. I've been out of the job market for three decades plus now. It is scarry and I don't know what I can do to get back in the job market, further more compete with the younger people that are now my competition it seems. I began thinking about it and kept coming up with "the only positive thing I have now, over the competition was,"wisdom", but couldn't decide how much, if any, would there be an advantage in having.

That's all for now, but please respond if you have any answers for me.

to sharonann, what do you mean by' reindeer games'?I'm sorry your job didn't work out but isn't it better to temp than to be unemployed? I myself have only temped 3 times. all at the same company.All for a very brief period of time. I got the job through someone who worked there. I enjoyed it and wish they had kept me on. I don't see any shame in being a temp so I figure your fellow employees must have been snobs or worried you would show them up. good luck

@Sharonann

When I temped through a staffing agency, I was making $2 to 3 more per hour than the permanent employees doing the same job (but they had benefits, etc. and I didn't).

It's true that you get treated as "the temp," and people are reluctant to invest time in getting to know someone who won't be around for long. But I knew that going into it.

@ Sharonann -- Thanks for your comments. I can see the problem a bank might have on a loan application. That's why temping may be better *if* there's someone else in the house with a full-time income. I'm no banker, but I would think that showing some track record of consistency as a temp might work in your favor.

@ Marietta -- I think that "Reindeer Games" means you're not really part of the "gang" even though you work there. (Sharonann, please correct me if I'm wrong.)

@ Jeffrey -- Glad to have seen your previous temp work led to a long-term job. Good luck on your next venture!

Sharon what you said is true and well said. Anybody that doesn't understand what you meant obvisouly doesn't know much about the temp. world.

I'm a temp now and i make HALF wht the permanent employees make! WHEN THEYRE JUST STARTING OUT! I love my job and the people i work with...nobody treats me "like a temp" BUT it sucks i can do more then sme employees and they make $10 mre then me

I have always temped when in between jobs. It saved me from having to try and get unemployment. This past year has been a rough time for even temps - not enough jobs out there. At my last temp job, I was treated with respect and appreciation. It was a real learning experience for me going from a medical field to a real estate field. Being a temp also gives you a chance to see if you would want to work there as a permanent employee.

@ cnellz -- Sorry to read you're not making out as well financially. But I'm sure the day will come when the experience will come in handy when you land something that's good and permanent.

@ Barbara -- Yes, the temp job can provide you wih a good step toward a permanent role. Here's to better success for you in 2011!