By Vicki S. Steere
I was recently out calling on clients, when I walked into a plush, high-rise
office downtown. The woman at the front desk appeared together. The tasks
on her desk were neatly organized. The busy phones were being handled
with grace. She greeted me with a warm smile that said, "I'm truly glad
you came."
She immediately made me feel at home by engaging in small talk. I asked
how long she'd been the with company. Her personality dimmed just a shade,
and she timidly replied, "Oh I only started yesterday, I'm just a temp."
It was as if she needed an excuse. In a matter of moments, I went through
a flurry of emotions. My initial reaction was one of amazement; but she
appeared so together, so organized. How could she be "just" a temp? Next,
I was impressed. She seemed to really know what she was doing, especially
for "just" a temp.
Then I became downright disturbed by the answer. Prior to that moment,
she had been a capable, knowledgeable and efficient representative of
the company. To me, she was not "just" a temp.
So I asked her how long she'd been doing temporary work. Her face changed
again, her shoulders squared up. She proudly declared, "I've been working
temp for nearly five years. I love it. I have time off when I want it.
I do all kinds of interesting work. Last week I did some database work,
and next week I'm set up to do some technical editing. I really enjoy
the challenge."
Like many, this wage earner has chosen temporary employment as a career.
Today's competitive environment encourages companies to utilize a more
flexible workforce, and temporary employment is a part of that. For the
employee, working temporary assignments can be intimidating. While it
can be like having the first day on the job jitters day in and day out,
the experience will also add to an employee's marketability in the workplace.
Following are some helpful hints about making temporary employment work
for you.
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