Guest Contributor Dawn Reid has worked for a temporary agency for the past year, but her professional background is in commercial insurance.
Have you ever worked for a temp agency, or are you working for one now? Either way, welcome to the new world economy and the new temporary workplace.
Yes, this is the new normal in today’s society of professionals and non-professionals, the highly educated and the non-educated. We are all in the same boat; we are riding in the stormy water of unemployment hoping to make it through to the land of opportunity: a company that will offer us a job.
Gone are the days of walking in the door of a company, shaking the hand of the owner and sitting down to discuss job possibilities. The reality now is applying for a job online and waiting for someone to call for an interview. Those lucky enough to receive that call shouldn’t expect any discussion of benefits or a future with that company – because neither can be expected. What matters is whether you’re qualified and what your rate of pay will be (typically lower than what you’re used to).
If you are fortunate enough to land a job through a temp agency, congratulations, you now have a job – which in today’s economy is like finding a piece of gold.
Day after day you hope for the best and try to do the best job possible, hoping the end result will be a permanent job offer and not a layoff. Month after month goes by and you are still a temp. Don’t misunderstand; if you were not a temp you might still be unemployed. One of the biggest temp agencies now is the second-largest employer in the nation, just behind Wal-Mart. That fact in itself should tell everyone what the workplace has become.
Remember when a person could actually plan her life and future goals around her job? Relationships were developed; training for long-term goals was put into place for the betterment of the company and for the employee. Plans for the family, such as vacations, a new car or home, braces for the kids and then college plans, were possible. Oh, and don’t forget the fact that we had health care.
These things were possible because we were secure in our permanent workplace. What security do we have now? None. Even if you have a permanent job, is anything really permanent anymore?
What are we to think? What are we to do? Do we just give up and give into the bad economy and the temporary job agencies? Do we settle?
I have felt like it and am sure many of you have as well. The answer, the only answer, to this uncertainty is to use what you’re given to improve what you have.
Charge through the anxious and dull life of a temporary anything. Learn all you can on the job that you have so you can beef up your resume. Try to take the temporary jobs that are long-term even if they will not become permanent. Take online classes or return to school if you can. Read motivational books. Never burn a bridge; keep good relationships with the people you work for and with. Be polite, respectful and work really hard.
If you can, pick up a second part-time job to save money and pay off debt, little by little. Don’t doubt that you could fit in a second job. I was a single parent of two and worked a second job many times. Even if it is two days a week, it would be a great resource for you.
Eat at home. Cut expenses wherever you can. Prepare for times of no income as well as emergencies. Meanwhile, look for a permanent job that you would enjoy. Temporary work does not mean a temporary life. Temporary should only mean temporary with other long-term goals. Always have goals.
Remember, all work is important and honorable, but temporary should mean temporary. Always be of good character and do the best job possible wherever you are. Strive for the best in your job performance and in yourself. These tough times can develop great character and a humble spirit, and that is always a good thing. You can do it. Good luck.
