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Advantages and Disadvantages of Temping
Like anything else, there are definitely advantages and disadvantages for becoming a temp. For some people, it is the perfect solution. For others, it is less-than-perfect, but a way to pay the bills until a "real" job is found.
Reasons for Taking a Temporary Job
These days, job seekers have many reasons to take a temporary job:
- The job sought is usually only available as a temporary or "seasonal" job.
- A temporary job is preferred by the job seeker.
- A temporary job is all the job seeker can find in their local job market or field, at the current time.
All of these are valid reasons for taking a temporary job.
Advantages of Taking a Temporary Job
A temporary job definitely offers some advantages to the job seeker:
- It may be exactly the job the job seeker wants, with a time limit for the employment commitment.
- It provides an income stream while the "real" job search continues. (We called this the "salary continuation plan" in the past.)
- It fills a gap on the resume - a gap in experience needed for the next job or a gap in the resume's employment history.
- It may give the job seeker a chance to "test drive" a job, an employer, or an industry.
- Sometimes, it provides both income and benefits (health insurance, etc.)
- Sometimes, it opens the door to a permanent job, often referred to as "temp-to-perm."
With luck, a temporary job may provide all of these benefits and more.
Disadvantages of Taking a Temporary Job
Many temps report feeling isolated and not well-respected by other employees. I'm sure this varies by organization and "corporate culture," but it may happen.
Most temps are not paid top dollar for what they do, unless they have a skill that is quite scarce.
Bottom Line
It's a balancing act. For some people, being a temp is perfect for them. For others, being a temp is a hopefully short stop before a full-time "permanent" job is found.
© Copyright, 1998 - 2013, Susan P. Joyce. All rights reserved.
About the author...
Online job search expert Susan P. Joyce has been observing the online job search world and teaching online job search skills since 1995. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Susan is a two-time layoff “graduate” who has worked in human resources at Harvard University and in a compensation consulting firm. In 1998, NETability purchased Job-Hunt.org, which Susan has edited and published since. Susan also edits and publishes WorkCoachCafe.com. Follow Susan on Twitter at@jobhuntorg and on Google+.
