While many applicants that come our way would love to have a full-time, standard hours career, the reality is, not everyone gets (or wants) that type of job. Some have to settle for part-time positions to get their foot in the door of a company, or opt for night shift hours instead of the day shift they’d hoped for. Some applicants end up filling a “temp” position, which lasts a few weeks or a few months, either because the previous employee that fills the position is gone for a period of time, OR the company wants a trial run with the new staff member. Regardless of the reason for the temp hire, the applicants who fill these jobs are important and are vital to keeping businesses going. AT PHR, we see the value in our temp employees, and want them to feel supported and informed when it comes to working temporary jobs with local companies and businesses.
One of the biggest issues that can come up with temp work is balancing personal and/or family life with your career. When your schedule is constantly changing with each job, your pay ebbs and flows, and the demands shift around, it can take a toll on you and those you care about. Things such as the birth of a new child, an aging parent, a death in the family, or a health crisis with a loved one can pose a big problem when you are a temporary employee and don’t have the typical benefits package that a full-time, salaried employee might have.
We have a few tips for helping you feel empowered and prepared as you continue in your temp career, whether it’s your long-term plan or just something to pay the bills until you find something permanent down the line:
- Financially prepare. If possible, set aside money as you can to save for a “rainy day” or unexpected event. While people can rarely afford to save up enough to support them long-term without work, if you can save enough to cover bills and basics for at least 2 or 3 weeks following something unexpected, it can relieve some of the stress that comes along with these situations. For example, if your spouse or child has an accident and you have to be out of your job for several days, the company may or may not be able to keep you on since they need an employee in office and can’t go more than a day or so without help. In this situation, having a small amount of money set aside to assist with expenses can help you relax a little as you research assistance and benefits you might be eligible for and build your support system that you can lean on during a recovery and rebuilding period. This is also when you can focus on getting into a new position.
- Build your support system! This is a huge part of the “temp work” life. Your spouse, parents, in-laws, babysitters, pet-sitters, daycare, etc. are all a huge part of your support network that let you work fluctuating hours. Having a network of people around you that are prepared to be flexible and work alongside you instead of against you is vital in having a successful temp career.
- Thoroughly learn your job (and its benefits) before you start. When you are accepting a new temp position, you need to know up front what the basic schedule will be, what benefits you are entitled to (if any) and how your potential employer handles issues like sickness, family emergencies, etc. Knowing these details is key in helping you decide if it’s a good move for you or not.
- Treat each job as if it’s your full-time career. Often, bosses are watching you closely as a temp, even if they haven’t advertised the opening as “full-time” or “temp-to-hire” in the description. If you are professional, have a good work ethic, and treat the job as a priority, it will be noticed. You’d be surprised at how many temps end up being brought into companies full-time solely because of their performance as a temp employee.
PHR Staffing Solutions is your one stop for job openings throughout the greater Polk County area. With offices in Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Lake Wales, we are continually recruiting for jobs with quality companies and employers and helping match their staff vacancies with applicants just like YOU. Our goal is to help you launch your career in the way you feel most comfortable and confident, from temp and part-time positions, to full-time work with businesses you know and trust. Give us a call for information about our current openings, or apply online!