Short term gains The truth about temping

Short term gains The truth about temping by Michael Cheary We often talk about the benefits temping can bring to our careersAside from the obvious practical boost it can give to your CV, when it comes to experience, added flexibility and the opportunity to learn new skills, there can be few career choices quite as rewarding. However, for those whove not been there before, it can be a daunting prospect.So, whats it really like?To find out more, we asked five recent or current temps about their experiences, and for their top tips on how to pursue a career in temping:The StudentHorus Rajani has been temping for the last 12 months whilst hes been studying for a Masters degree. Why did you start temping? I needed to earn some money to afford to be able to do my Masters and temping was also a great way to stay flexible.What kinds of roles have you taken on in your temping career?Ive mainly worked in events, and have worked everywhere from a waiter in bars and hotels, right through to bespoke high profile functions. Ive ev en worked as part of the match day hospitality staff at Emirates Stadium, which as an Arsenal fan definitely stands out for me. How did the flexibility of temping help you? It allowed me to focus on my studies when I needed to. I had one temp position for the first few months of my course, and then when the winter exam period came, I was able to stop temping and focus on my exams. If you could give temps one piece of advice, what would it be? Make sure the agencies youre signed up with know your availability, otherwise youll end up having to turn down opportunities which you cant fulfil.If you know you have to be somewhere everyday at 4 oclock, dont agree to a temp job that requires you to work until 5:30.The Temp to PermEloise Barnett is a full-time HR Assistant in Birmingham, a position she found whilst temping.Why did you start temping?After graduating in June 2010, I immediately went travelling to Australia for six months. But when I got back and started looking for a permanent job, I struggled to find anything suitable. After about six weeks, I decided to give temping a go. I figured it was a good way to start paying off my debts and gain some experience at the same time.What type of temp roles did you do?I worked in a busy shop over Christmas to help develop my customer facing skills, I spent a few months in a call centre to build up my customer service skills and I also worked as a PA where I got experience on how to use lots of different software packages, like PowerPoint, Excel and the CRM system the company used.How did temping improve your chances of getting a permanent job?My only work experience before temping was a part-time retail role Id done on and off at Uni, so I wanted to gain more experience in different types of businesses and pick up skills to make me a more attractive candidate when I was ready to apply for a permanent job.If you could give temps one piece of advice, what would it be? Treat your temp role as a trial run. Make yourself p art of the team, give your full effort all the time and show the company youre a valuable and indispensable asset.The Fresh StarterHayley Coyne has been temping since being made redundant in September 2012. Why did you start temping? I initially struggled to find permanent employment after being made redundant, so I decided to try a temp job as it allowed me to earn relatively good money, but with additional flexibility so I could go back to studying.What type of temp roles did you do?Ive mainly worked in health and social care positions, including working as a Care Assistant, Residential Worker and as a Support Worker.Do you think temping will improve your chances of getting a permanent job? Definitely. Doing different types of temp work has helped me build up my experience in the social care sector, not to mention my skill set. Also, it looks great on my CV, and demonstrates my practical knowledge when applying for permanent jobs. If you could give temps one piece of advice, what would it be? Make sure you have a good relationship with your temp agency. This will definitely help you when youre looking for your next temp role, as they will know you well and will think of you first when new positions come up.The Returning ParentTeresa Hawkins has been temping since her son started school nearly a year ago.Why did you start temping? Returning to work after starting a family seemed like a great opportunity to try new things and temping seemed like a good way to start. Its flexible, so I can spend plenty of time with my son. What type of temp roles have you done? Mainly office-based work, although I did work in a local delicatessen for a while, which I really enjoyed. Do you have plans to find something permanent? Not right now. Im enjoying meeting new people and not feeling beholden to work. It suits my lifestyle really well. If you could give temps one piece of advice, what would it be? Ask as many questions as possible before the assignment starts. That way yo ull have a good idea of the work youll be doing, and there will be no surprises on your first day.The Career TempWayne Vernon has been employed either as a temp or as a contractor for nearly 22 years.Why did you start temping?Initially I think it was just a lack of direction. I didnt feel qualified for a number of other positions, but wanted to gain as much experience as I could to compensate for this. What kinds of roles have you taken on in your temping career? Ive worked in all areas of finance, particularly Credit Control, Management and Supervision. Tempings given me a breadth of experience, allowing me to work in all sorts of organisations at various levels. Its been a real eye-opener. You must have had plenty of offers of permanent work, but youre still temping. Whys that? Ive done really well out of temping. Working on a temporary or contract basis usually means earning a fair bit more money than being permanently on the books. Ive got a mortgage, a newish car and go on grea t holidays. In fact, holiday is another great thing about temping: its flexible enough that I can take five or six weeks off at time. If you could give temps one piece of advice, what would it be? Temping is a great option at all times, but especially during a recession. Ive worked through a couple and, if you do a good job, youll always find work as a temp.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Flexible working

Reviews For Resume Writing Services For Skilled Trades

Reviews For Resume Writing Services For Skilled TradesReviews for resume writing services for skilled trades are common within the business world. There are many companies and individuals who provide job writing as a service.A beginning or expert in writing resumes, therefore, should know what they need to do in order to find an effective resume writer. They must first be sure that they have a clear idea of the kind of career a resume is for. This will depend on the individual needs.The resumes of skilled trades professionals may be useful for a variety of reasons. For example, the information could include experience with a specific type of trade, field training, the type of education they have received, and much more.There are many different types of people involved in the different types of trades. The same holds true for the writing services. In this regard, reviews for resume writing services for skilled trades might include the educational background, educational and work exper ience, and any other special skills the writer has acquired. These will also give you a clearer picture of the kind of person you are looking for.In many cases, there are employers who can provide reviews for resume writing services for skilled trades individuals. It is therefore important to know how to locate them. One way is to ask around.Another thing to consider is the type of job a particular individual is applying for. If the resume is for a non-technical position, there may not be any way for a reviewer to determine what skills are required for that particular position. In such instances, the reviewer might be able to determine what skills will be needed for the specific job.However, for the highly skilled trades people, there is no way for a reviewer to make a judgment about what skill set is required. They have to rely on the company to guide them. Again, in such cases, the reviewer will need to find out where they can find reviews for resume writing services for skilled t rades.In summary, reviews for resume writing services for skilled trades individuals will need to include a general description of the resume. The review will need to indicate whether the writer will need any professional qualifications or special training.

The worst career advice parents give their kids

The worst career advice parents give their kids For many young people today, the most trusted source of career advice is their parents. Unfortunately, a lot of parents are giving a lot of misguided advice to their kids. Todays workplace is very different from the one baby boomers navigated. But often they dont realize that, and think the classic advice still applies. It doesnt. Here are the five worst pieces of advice that parents dole out. Get a graduate degree It used to be that people went to graduate school as a surefire way to achieve the American Dream. Today, graduate school generally makes young people less employable, not more employable. For example, people who get a graduate degree in the humanities have little chance of getting a tenured teaching job. And when it comes to an MBA, the value of the degree plummets if its not from a top school, even though the cost of the degree continues to skyrocket. So instead of opening doors for you, the degree in many ways forces you to settle for a job that pays well enough to pay back your student loans. Law school results in one of the few graduate degrees that can make you more employable. Unfortunately, it makes you more employable in a profession in which people are unhappy. Law school rewards perfectionism, while law practice rewards good sales skills. This dichotomy, combined with the reality that practicing law isnt all that glamorous, means that law school should be something you do only if youre driven to its not the safety net indecisive career seekers wish it was. Dont job hop The advice parents give about job hopping comes from the days when human resources people were in charge of job interviews, and hiring managers ruled the world. But today, job hopping is standard. Most people will have eight jobs before they turn 30, and thats a good thing. Young candidates these days have more power than interviewers because theres a shortage of people to fill entry-level jobs. Unemployment among the college educated is less than 2 percent, young people routinely have more than one job offer, and 70 percent of hiring managers say they feel like they need to convince candidates to take their jobs. Clearly, this is a time when young people are in charge. Job hoppers are bad for companies because high turnover is expensive, but switching jobs a lot is very good for employees. It builds skills faster, constructs a network more effectively, and helps you figure out what you like and what you dont like. Most important, regularly switching jobs helps you maintain passion in your career which, in the end, benefits companies as much as it benefits the passionate workers cycling through them. Dont ask about time off until you have the job Everyone has a personal life that exists separately from their job. You cant schedule your cousins bar mitzvah around a product launch, and you cant clear your calendar before you take a new job. So when youre figuring out which job to take, be upfront about what sort of time you expect to be taking for yourself. If you want Tuesdays off for kickboxing class, then say so. If you have a vacation planned for two weeks after the proposed start date, then say that. Some jobs have unmovable start dates, and sometimes your personal life will preclude taking a job. Thats OK. Why bother with the absurd job-interview song-and-dance where you pretend that your personal life doesnt matter, and that only getting the job matters? You wouldnt want to work for anyone who had that attitude, so why pretend to have it yourself? Dont have gaps in your résumé Its so common for people to take time off to explore after earning their degree that universities have people who specialize in helping students find after-college non-work/non-school learning opportunities. As long as youre learning and growing â€" and not endangering your life â€" then gaps in your résumé are merely you finding another way to discover the world. In fact, you’ll be a better employee for that. The people who dont flounder at all after college and go straight into a career they stick with make up less than 12 percent of the population today. Research shows that they’re generally less creative in picking a path thats right for them, and more willing to take paths someone else has established. But each of us needs different things from our work â€" we have to make our own paths, and we need breathing room to do that. If there are no gaps in your résumé, it probably means you didnt take any time in your life for reflecting. Sure, you can do your reflecting in the shower or during a boring meeting or on an invigorating run. But grand thinking requires grand amounts of time. Often, we need to separate from everyday life in order to see possibilities far outside what were doing. So make gaps, and talk about them in job interviews like the learning experiences they are. Earn enough money to pay rent and buy food One of the smartest career choices you can make after graduation is to move back in with your parents. This isnt possible for everyone, but those who can do it have a distinct advantage in their entrance into adult life. Its why more than half of college graduates are choosing to move back home. At present, entry-level jobs dont pay enough to cover student loans, health insurance premiums, food, and rent in the kinds of cities young people like to live. Parents will say, When I was a kid, everyone could pay their rent when they got their first job. Thats probably true, but since that time, real wages have fallen, school costs have outpaced inflation, and health care costs are astronomical for people who dont get insurance through work which is a large portion of fully employed young people. Young people who need to support themselves without any help from family are necessarily limited in career choices they have to have a job that pays well in order to live. Thats why 60 percent of graduating seniors move back in with their parents after college. But the best way to figure out what you really love doing is to try things and worry about pay later, when you know what you like. Moving back in with your parents allows you to take a job purely because its a good opportunity for personal growth and self-knowledge. Many baby boomers stayed in careers they didnt like for 20 years. A good way to not repeat this in the next generation is to explore many careers before you choose one. Advertisement: The people who don’t flounder at all after college or an online MBA and go straight into a career they stick with make up less than 12 percent of the population today.

How to get a recruiters attention

How to get a recruiters attention A lot of readers ask me how to find a recruiter to help them find a job. In general, my answer is: Forget it. Headhunters dont work for people who need jobs. Headhunters work for people who have jobs to fill. The way this works is the hiring manager has a specific type of person he needs to hire, and that person is hard to find. The hiring manager cannot spend all the time it will take to locate this person, so the hiring manager pays a recruiter to find this special person. Few headhunters are in the talent management business, says Terry Gallagher, of the search firm Battalia Winston International. Most executive search firms only represent their clients interests and executive staffing needs. This means, recruiters start with a specific position to fill, not a specific candidate to employ. Recruiters are expensive. Often 20% of someones starting salary. This is not peanuts. So you can be sure that companies do not hire recruiters to find people with general qualifications. General qualifications are easy to fill. If you are a generalist, there are lots of people like you. So look, if you are entry level or you are changing careers, you are not going to be attractive to a recruiter. Entry level people do not have any special skill that would make them fit a job that retained recruiters get hired to fill. And people changing careers do not have specific skills in their new career, they have specific skills (at best) in their old career. Headhunters dont work with career changers. Headhunters work with superstars. And maybe not always superstars, but the less star power you have, the more of a specialty you have to have. Are you the only person in the world who knows how to build an inventory system like Wal-Mart has? Call a recruiter. Are you the number-one salesperson in all of Yahoo? Call a recruiter. But the thing is that those people dont need to call recruiters. Recruiters call them all the time. Recruiters know who the amazingly talented are. It is no mystery. So if you want to get on recruiter radar, you need to focus on making yourself look amazingly talented in a proven-track-record way, not in a my-mom-says-so way. If you think you are at place in your career where a recruiter would be interested, Michael Keleman at Recruiting Animal says, Do a search of recruiters on LinkedIn. There are zillions of them there and some might indicate that they are in your area. Contact them and ask if they work with candidates like you. You dont have to contact them through LinkedIn, just call. If youve got great experience, you might get special treatment from the recruiter. Recruiter David Perry, for example, has been known to represent candidates like they are movie stars. But most of the time, Keleman says, You resume will go into a database until a company hires the recruiter for a seach youre suited for. So go ahead and try getting a recruiters attention. But focus more on networking on your own, and doing great work, because those are the keys to getting good job opportunities.

Best Resume Writing Services For the Federal Government

Best Resume Writing Services For the Federal GovernmentIn this article we will be looking at the top five resume writing services available to agencies this year. We have spent over a year reviewing different resume services and have researched some of the best methods for creating quality resumes.The federal government is the first choice of most clients when it comes to resume writing services. With more agencies than ever before and a current state of many of them going through a re-organization this is the number one method of determining which agency is best for you. Using a long term approach and thorough planning will help you generate your very own resume from start to finish.If you are still using an old-fashioned typewriter for your resume then perhaps you should consider investing in the latest technology, like an electronic type as our top five list of the best resume writing services. This is a method that has become more affordable as more people realize the advantages and tremendous amount of time that can be saved by using these types of machines.There are many other ways to create a resume that will leave a lasting impression on the new hire you are approaching. Many resume services offer web-based services that are easier to navigate and will also not bog down your computer with the many options available on today's internet.If you do not have any experience in writing resumes then it is time to invest in the best resume service. Though it may take some time to determine which services you should use it is well worth the effort.Always remember that customer satisfaction is the best form of advertisement. Not only do you need to receive a high quality service but you also want to know that your job will get done when you receive the resume.Another way to find the best resume writing services for the federal government is to subscribe to websites where they list all of the agencies that submit resume services for them. This can be an easy way to determine which resume services are the best for you.You will also need to look at the clientele that they attract. You want to be sure that they will be able to provide you with the best services that they can for the government.

Should You Consider Moving Out Of State To Find A Job

Should You Consider Moving Out Of State To Find A Job Photo Credit â€" work.chron.comMany of us will come to a point in our lives where it’s time for a new career. Whether you hate your current job and are in need of a change, you just graduated and are ready to utilize your new degree, or you are just looking to start 2017 with a new career, one of the biggest questions on your mind is probably, “Should I move out of state?”.Not everyone lives in the optimum place for their industry or area of expertise, but they make it work. If you can find a decent career that pays less than similar roles in other states, it might be worth it to move. Then again, being near friends and family may be worth the pay cut.One of the biggest questions in people’s minds is how a long-distance move will affect their relationships. It’s true, you won’t see your loved ones nearly as often, but that doesn’t mean you can’t maintain healthy relationships from afar, especially with today’s technology.evalHowever, if you were that kid that got so homesick the second day of camp that you couldn’t enjoy the rest of the week, you’ll likely be very unhappy maintaining your closest relationships through the telephone and internet.If you’re looking solely to make more money, you might also want to consider some other factors, like median household income, mortgage rates, and property tax rates in each individual state. All of these factors will affect the cost of living to help you determine whether a higher wage actually is a better bet.You may be able to make $10,000 more a year in that big city, but will you really be wealthier if the cost of living is 18% higher, there are fees for owning a car to encourage the use of public transportation on crowded streets, and your taxes will go through the roof?Others still might be better suited to another city socially and culturally. There might be a high demand for individuals with your skills in your current area, but if you aren’t happy outside of work, you’ll likely be le ss satisfied with your career in general.If your heart longs for a quiet country home away from the business of the city, that’s where you should be. If you thrive on arts and culture and great food, you definitely shouldn’t be stuck in a rural community that can’t offer much of that.It’s hard to tell exactly what a community has to offer on impression alone, so it’s a good idea to take to the internet and find out what others are saying about the city you want to move to. You may just fall in However, the pressure of a deadline with severe consequences might be the best way to motivate yourself to be ruthless in your job search.If you are more of a play-it-safe type person, not to worry. You can stay in your current position and look for a job in another city at your leisure. Finding a job online is easier than it ever has been before, and if you obtain a job before the big move, your new employer may front some or all of the money for your move.Long distance moves can be very expensive, but there are several ways to save money when moving across the country, so don’t fret if you have to pay for the whole thing yourself.Whatever happens with you, your career, or your living situation, I hope it’s something that makes you happy. Have any of you ever moved out of state for a job? If so, what was your experience like?

5 Lesser-Known Interview Tips - CareerAlley

5 Lesser-Known Interview Tips - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. During this prolonged recession, those in the job market must make it a point to capitalize on every opportunity for quality employment. With more qualified candidates than ever lining up for the same positions, its important to exhaust all avenues in distinguishing yourself from the crowd. Beyond the old-favorite tips everyone knows, like bringing extra copies of your resume or rehearsing your answers so as to project confidence, here are five more subtle measures that can make the difference in the end. 1. Make a Warm First Impression When you walk into a meeting with someone who has the power to hire, you want to dress for success, be courteous, and have warm hands. Warm hands? Yes, many studies show a warm touch has a much more positive effect than a cold first embrace. So take measures to avoid having your first impression be an icy handshake that can send a subconscious message and turn an employer off. 2. Bring a Trump Card Besides toting the prerequisite resume, pen, or ECQ examples into an interview, bring along anything that will help you support your case for employment and make a memorable impression. By having examples of your past work, a portfolio, or document you prepared in advance, you can inject an extra element that demonstrates you abilities, resourcefulness, and knack for preparation. 3. Keep Your Comfort Zone Everyone wants to look their best when they go calling for a job, but its important to wear clothes you feel confident and comfortable in. An interview is never a good time to try out a new pair of shoes, and you should always do a test run on what you are going to wear to make sure everything not only looks right, but feels good too. 4. Walk the Walk More than just making eye contact and sitting up straight in your chair, body language can be a powerful alley in your quest to make a positive impression. Focus on going to your meeting walking tall and feeling good, taking the time if necessary to get yourself into a relaxed frame of mind. Listening to music, taking a stroll outdoors, or even mediating will often do the trick. 5. Have Fun with Words Words can be powerful tools in the interview room, whether its a simple thing like remembering the names of all of the individuals youve met throughout the process or knowing the most vital terms in the business. Do your research and reference your knowledge by pointing to recent studies, news about competitors, or the individuals that mean the most to the industry. Final Thoughts You arent going to get the job every time, but youll have a higher success rate by taking extra measures to make yourself an ace interviewer. By considering subtle things like a handshake or your body language, and coming prepared to put your best foot forward, youll make a memorable impression and separate yourself from the competition. Book Corner [easyazon_link asin=1475019556 locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=caree07-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]Resume Help For Success: Simple Resume Writing Tips, Resume Examples Sample Cover Letters[/easyazon_link] Michelle is an aspiring writer with a passion for blogging. She enjoys writing about a vast variety of topics and loves that blogging gives her the opportunity to publicly voice her thoughts and share advice with an unlimited audience. This is a Guest post. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by

Wreck This Journal A Hole Lot of Messes

Wreck This Journal A Hole Lot of Messes I cracked open Wreck This Journal on Saturday afternoon, leafing through the pages knowing I needed to start somewhere. Every page held another choice, and I knew I could pick whichever one I wanted. So, where was the perfect place to begin? I already took my shower, so showering with the book was out. I didnt have a piece of string handy and I was on a tight schedule so I couldnt take the book out for a walk. I didnt feel confident with starting with something artistic, like tracing my hand (dont I have to make it something afterwards?), so I was happy when one of the pages called to me, Pour, Spill, Drip, Spit, Fling Your Coffee Here. I was drinking coffee! I still had some at the bottom of my cup, and left in the carafe! I could paint this page with coffee! I didnt have a paint brush, but that didnt stop me. I had what all dutiful Jewish girls from Long Island have: make-up brushes! I grabbed one, cracked the spine of the book, dipped the brush in the coffee, and started painting. Hm. Too light. I couldnt do anything, make anything, see anything! Maybe if I took the brush and splattered the page like all those spin art sweatshirts I made in 1988eh. Nothing too exciting. Maybe if I take the carafe and pour the coffee onto the page, and then paint from there? Yeah, thatll work! Well, it didnt really workit made a mess! It leaked through 6 pages of the book AND onto the spine! And ya know what? That wasnt enough for me! I laughed as I closed the book on The Giant Coffee Mess of 2009 watched the remains spill onto the kitchen counter. I then opened the book back up tried to makeup-brush the coffee into something art-like, but realized the mess was just as it was supposed to be. A mess. An ugly mess at that! And I loved it! I was having fun, and trying something new, and enjoying the journey with my journal. So thats what Im going into this crazy, fun, scary project with: Allowing myself to make a giant, ugly mess. For a recovering perfectionist like me, its the best way to start. It takes the pressure off that anything needs to be pretty, or nice. If I focus on mess, I can focus on the artist in me that wants to get out, have fun, find her voice, and enjoy the process along the way. Look at all the messes I made this week ( you can see the remains of the coffee on each every one)!: