Amidst the uncertain economic climate, temporary jobs across the UK are on the up. Our latest quarterly research showed a sharp increase in temporary and contract vacancies and the recent edition of the Venn Index – a quarterly report on temporary and interim employment levels across the UK by Venn Group – also showed an increase.
We asked Robert Bowyer, Director at Venn Group for his advice on how to get the best out of the temporary market…
“Many professionals are embracing this upsurge in temporary employment opportunities. Those who enjoy the flexibility and financial rewards of short term contracts are enjoying the challenges and excitement that working as contractor can bring. But despite the recent rise in positions, the temporary market remains highly competitive.
Here are our five golden rules for temping your way to the top:
In order to build a successful career as a temp it is essential that jobseekers portray a consistent aura of efficiency and ambition. Every contact with an agency or potential employer should instil confidence in your ability to succeed. Always arrive on time for appointments, be well presented and polite and keep in contact regularly. Competition is tough, and hirers will only consider investing in candidates who stand out from the crowd as competent individuals who demonstrate the highest level of professionalism.
Make sure that your consultant is an expert on market conditions, salary expectations and hiring trends. They will also know what skills and experiences are desirable amongst employers in your chosen field, so exploit their expertise. A quick phone call to your consultant once a week will emphasise your determination whilst maintaining your working relationship.
Today’s turbulent economy – resulting in many businesses turning to temporary employees to avoid permanent headcount costs, and coupled with the need for a flexible workforce – means that now could be a very good time to consider temp or contract work. Temping can be a good career choice, but where do you start, and what are the benefits?
We asked Robert Bowyer, Director at temporary staffing specialist Venn Group, for his top 5 things to consider before starting temp work…
Perhaps the obvious starting point is to ensure you have a clear understanding of the temporary employment market and your rights. In an ideal world, I would recommend registering with a specialist recruitment consultancy which deals in this area to benefit from its experience and contacts. Once you’ve found the right agency, its consultants will get to know you and your strengths and will help propel you from role to role over a period of months, if not years.
A recruiter will also help explain your rights as dictated by the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR) – in short this means upon satisfying the AWR criteria you could be afforded the same rights in relation to pay, overtime, holiday, and pensions (amongst others) as your permanent counterparts. Once you have the basics covered you will be well on your way to a successful and lengthy career.
And whether you’re aiming to fit work around your studies, your family, or simply get on the job ladder, temping not only allows you to network and make contacts with a wide range of professionals – and in a short space of time – but can also offer you exposure to a variety of industries and skills. It can also be a great way to help decide what exact role and type of organisation suits you best.
As you complete various assignments you will quickly add to your skill set and can in fact progress up the career ladder in a relatively short space of time. Continue reading “Temping – 5 Ways to Kick Start Your Career” »
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