Keeping the temp gig as long as you can

We all know that the economy out there is not so great right now. Temping or Contracting at a job can be a little draining at best sometimes, but it is a job. A paying check that gets you or your family through the week.

Don't just do your job, see if you can help other departments. The company will appreciate it, and you will look like a star.

If you know of someone that is still looking for work, check with your agency and see if you can refer them. I know some agencies will pay you (yes you) if that person that you referred gets a temping job.

Call every day or every other day to check in with the agency too. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the job.

Keeping your temp gig may not be your ideal thing, but that's the great thing about temping...you can figure out what you really want to do and still keep the temp gig.

Helping assist with other projects

I've always been one to try and stay busy. But, as I'm am still the temp, and if you are a temp too, then you should know this as well...you need to assist with other projects.

What do I mean by that exactly? What I mean is if someone from a different department asks you to assist, just check with your manager first, and then go ahead and do it. However, don't forget to ask questions, if you need the help, get it.

Besides, it will look fabulous on your resume...

Also, being an administrative assistant can come in handy when making phone calls, faxing or copying things, or just knowing how to do a scan as most everyone knows how to do this already, you would be surprised at how many people actually don't.

That's my update for now, and remember you are more than Just the temp.

Coverage

So, again, Monday, she is not here again...(wait did I say that twice?..oh yes, I think it was on purpose).

Being a good girl, I went to my manager and said "Am I covering for her today?" and his answer was "not at this moment..."

Okay, just letting you all know that now I am just writing and thinking about exactly what I need to do.

I think that I've covered my bases here...don't you?

Confusion anyone? Anyone?

So, I guess I'm confused...I know that being the temp for a long period of time means that I will be asked to do anything for this company, even if that means that the person that they did hire for the position is not doing it correctly...

Yes...I blew up....at her....

Well, I'm sorry, but she was just being really stupid and just really aggravating. I had a great weekend, and she is not going to be the one to ruin it. I may just end up losing this gig over it...but you know what? If I do, then I know that I was right, and let them fire me....'cause I'm not going to quit.

What happened? The drama? The story? Okay, I can't divulge full details...but it goes something like this. I will use E as her name as I want to protect the innocent...(sure...)

I get an e mail from employee Monday 10 am ish: 'Hi, sent in my report via FedEx to be there Monday morning, here is my excel sheet and my manager's signature via e mail approval. - signed employee'

I send back employee: 'I'm sorry but, all expense reports now go to E., please forward this e mail to her. - signed me'
I also send employee manager same info.

E sends employee and my manager and cc's me 'Dear employee, I have not recieved any paperwork, if you sent it to (me) then she will have to forward said paperwork.'

*problem here* Fed Ex has NOT arrived YET

5 minutes go by: E sends another e mail to me, and cc's my manager '(Manager) I have no recieved ANY e mail back from (me) (with large CAPS and in RED no less) '

I do not get anything from shipping or receiving...in fact, I don't even have a mail bin downstairs anymore with my name on it...I bring this to manager's attention, to say, look, I don't get anything, can you please let her know that shipping and facilities both know to bring all paperwork to her directly?

5 minutes go by...nothing is said...nothing is done...I am now really pissed...I bring again to manager's attention, he says "That's probably because it says it will be delivered Monday (that same day) and that FedEx has not been delivered yet (we have a guy in shipping come every day to have her sign things)...he was supposed to send out mass e mail MONTHS ago to let people know that she now has the position, and that I am to do nothing with this position (or so I'm told).

I then knock at big boss's door..."I need to see you, today!" as I know this is not getting resolved...he then says, "Now?" I then said "Not this very minute, but sometime today would be great."

Long story short, he tells me, her and my manager that to knock it off, that this is not kindergarten and that we all need to work together as a team...which I agree to, but if things are still not resolved who do I go to?

Now, today, Monday, a week later, she is not here (shocked?, um no) and I ask my manager again (yes, because I am part of the 'team') if he wants me to at least stamp things, review things, and he tells me not to touch anything...

So, I'm just really confused...

Thanks for letting me vent...
Yours,
just the temp

"Just smile and wave" - Penguins of Madagascar

Sometimes as the temp, you are asked to do things that you don't really want to do, or that you weren't hired for.

Sometimes the employee or other contractor that is related to some other employee asks you to do something that you already did.

I find it just much easier to just do it and keep your mouth shut. Just like the penguins of Madagascar say "Just smile and wave boys, just smile and wave."

This is to say, that while you are thinking in your head "Gee, didn't I already do this?" or "Why are you doing it this way?", your job as the temp is to not ask questions, but to just go ahead and do what they ask you to do.

This is part of being the temp.

You can be a great temp by just smiling and then going home at the end of the day and then complain later.

I also find that if you can be flexible, you will be more adaptable at what you do, and then can add it to your resume later.

So, just remember what the Penguins of Madagascar say, and just remember that you are more than just the temp.

A lead for IT people

If you are in IT (any field according to this company), and looking for work as a contractor, then you should get in contact with The Revolution Group in Wakefield (http://www.therevgroup.com/) and tell them I sent you.

Good luck and just remember you are more than just the temp.

*Edited to say, that this company had a little fun with me, so just an fyi...hopefully they are more serious about getting people jobs, especially in this economy.

In case you were wondering...

Guess what I just figured out, that I thought I would share with you. (The ones who are actually reading this blog that is).

When you are looking for a new steady job while you are temping, even though you have been working at the particular company for months, even years, you may NOT list your "supervisor" that you work for at that company as a reference.

This is because legally you don't work for the company where you have been contracted for! You are still legally employed by the agency!

Oh yes, and another thing. I'm getting really tired of all these other agencies telling me that they have a great position available and would I be willing to come in for an interview. Do they think that I am that naive? Hello? Have you seen the job market out there? It isn't pretty. Yet, there are still jobs, and the ones that are out there, are hard to find. They go with the best candidate.

The recruiters from agencies don't care. You are just a number to them. Don't let them just sly you. Do your homework first!

Just don't tell them the temp told you so.

Thanks.