How to Find Regular Work Through Temporary Agencies in Your Town

Temporary agencies aren't just for people looking for part time or even temporary work. You can utilize temporary agencies to further your career goals. Have you just graduated from college or high school and want to find a job but find the occupation pickings are a little slim? Are you out of work and need an income to live on while you find your new job? Try signing up with your local temporary agencies while looking for a permanent job. You have nothing to lose by going to temporary agencies and you can gain a paycheck, job experience and possibly a permanent job if you're in the right place at the right time.

Because hiring laws make it rather difficult to terminate employment with a worker that just isn't working out the way they'd hoped, some businesses like to use the services of temporary agencies to minimize the risk of hiring an unknown employee. Another reason why businesses like to utilize temporary agencies is that they also save money in the work place. Some businesses actually depend on temporary agencies for all of their employee hiring needs instead of having a large human resource department. Here are some tips to help you find work through temporary agencies.

First, before you go to the temporary agencies, you're going to need to update your resume. Make sure it is on good quality paper, free of any errors (as in perfect) and preferably one page, two if your experience is extensive. The reason you'll want it to be one page is that when temporary agencies fax your resume to possible employers, hiring managers will want something that is well organized, up to date, complete, and as short as possible since they may be going through hundreds of resumes. If you have a long resume, it could wind up in the trash can unseen. In your resume you'll want to include your job history up to at least ten years. For further questions on how to write your resume go to your local library, there are plenty of books and other resources on how to write an excellent resume.

Second, you'll want to also do some research on temporary agencies in your town. The temporary agencies you choose can make all the difference. Some temporary agencies specialize in more professional work while others have mostly manual labor and factory jobs. For example, there are some temporary agencies that feature only secretarial work or jobs in the accounting field. Whatever job is right for you, be sure to try temporary agencies that specialize in the career you are looking for. You can find out what some temporary agencies specialize in by looking them up in the yellow pages and researching their web site. Sometimes you can also find out what some temporary agencies specialties are by asking friends and loved ones. You'd be surprised what information you can gather just by word of mouth. If all else fails, call some temporary agencies and ask them what type of jobs they specialize in.

You may find several excellent temporary agencies from which to choose. This is good because you may want to sign up with several temporary agencies. Some temporary agencies will have very little work at the moment while others will have a few more employment leads. Signing up with several temporary agencies will allow you to choose the best job offers for you.

You've written your resume, you've researched and chosen your temporary agencies, now you need to look the part of someone eager and willing to work. Just like any other job you'll need to look professional for temporary agencies so they'll feel comfortable sending you to prospective employers. Do you need a haircut? Now's the time to make a trip to the salon or barber.

Men should have a nice clean hair cut that isn't seen as extreme to most people. If your hair is long and you are dead set against cutting it, try putting back into a low pony tail at the end of your neck. Make sure you've shaved or that your facial hair is neatly trimmed.

Ladies, if you hair is long try wearing up in a no nonsense bun or french twist. Different colors are fun but wait until you are hired and know the office dress code to try a wild new look. Just make sure your hair is clean and neat looking above all.

The same goes for the rest of your body. Are you clean and free of body odor? Have you brushed your teeth and used deodorant? Make sure your nails are neatly filed and clean of dirt as well. This may sound like common sense but temporary agencies have many tales of the person who came in looking for work reeking of body odor or stale cigarette smoke. The sad thing is these people usually never found a job because no one wants to hire a person with bad hygiene. If you look dirty or smell bad, a temporary agency will be reluctant to recommend you to prospective employers.

Are your clothes ironed and free of stains? Are your shoes shined and free of dirt? Men, the best case scenario is for you to wear a brown, navy, gray or black suit with a white (not off white) business shirt without buttons on the collar. You'll also need a professional looking tie. If you don't have a suit try nice looking slacks with a white button down shirt and a professional looking tie and jacket.

Ladies, your best choice of clothing is a neutral or dark business suit with matching blouse and pantyhose and shoes of quiet good taste. If you don't have a suit a matching set of a skirt, jacket and blouse will do. Your make-up should be just enough to enhance your looks without making you look hard.

Men and women should both go easy on the jewelry, perfumes, and colognes. Too much jewelry can detract from your appearance and therefore your qualifications for the job. What you may think smells wonderful in a cologne or perfume may smell terrible to others and can act as a barrier when searching for a job through temporary agencies or anywhere else. When temporary agencies recommend you for a position it is with the knowledge that you represent them so you need to look your best.

Now that you're dressed for the part, it's time to pay the temporary agencies a visit. Be sure to have a few copies of your resume with you as well as your social security card and your birth certificate. This can prove to be handy when you need to prove to temporary agencies that you're eligible to work in the United States. All temporary agencies have their own routines and it may take a few hours to complete the paper work and/or proficiency tests. If your temporary agencies don't have any work for you immediately, don't be discouraged, just leave a reliable phone number where you can be reached if they do find a job that's right for you.

After you've signed up with the temporary agencies of your choice, call them everyday to see if any work is available. This shows temporary agencies that you are ready to work hard for them and it also keeps you fresh in their mind when it comes time to fill that position for which you may be perfect. Try however to be open minded about the work temporary agencies offer you. What may not sound like the type of job you'd like may prove you wrong in the end. Many prospective employees have started working at a job just until something better comes along, only to find out they like where they are at the moment, making the employer like them too, so they're hired in permanently. You have nothing to loose by trying temporary agencies and you could gain so much experience and income while you wait for that permanent job.