Four Myth Busters About Temporary Work

If you think a temp job looks shady on your resume, listen up. Opportunities are thriving in this area and hiring managers aren't really thinking your resume is tarnished if temporary assignments are part of your portfolio. If you focus on the job itself and not the duration, you should be good to go. Plus, the numbers tell all: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, temporary services have added more than 100,000 jobs from January 1 until now and has added more than 200,000 jobs over the course of an entire year. Companies are looking to staffing firms for temporary needs and they're seeing the value of temporary workers. And as a temporary worker if you're currently on the bench for full-time work, at least your skills are remaining sharp and you're making new connections. If you think temporary work on your resume looks a bit unstable, think again. Per a new OfficeTeam survey, more than half of the polled senior managers said when it comes to evaluating a candidate's work background, a long period of consistent temporary assignments is actually comparable to full-time employment. Take that, naysayers! We checked in with Robert Hosking, executive director at OfficeTeam, to weigh in and bust some myths about temporary work. 1. Temporary assignments are clerical or lower level jobs. Oh, contraire! He explains, "The fastest growth in the temporary industry is in professional and technical occupations, as both businesses and professionals have realized the benefits of greater flexibility." 2. Temporary work can't be included on a resume. Incorrect! He says temporary work "can and should" be included on your resume. 3. Temp work will interfere with your search for a permanent role. Actually, he mentions it can enhance it. Companies may view temporary assignments as a way to assess your work performance during a trial period. They may evaluate your work for full-time opportunities down the road. 4. Temporary work doesn't pay well. For starters, a check is better than no check at all. Secondly, Hosking says temporary and contract positions typically pay on par with salaried ones. He adds, "Individuals with the most sought-after skills can often command a premium."

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Four Myth Busters About Temporary Work

Vicki Salemi

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Vicki Salemi