Temporary solution:

Are you looking for a change of scenery job-wise this year? Have you been made redundant? Perhaps you want to work for a new organisation? Or maybe even a change of industry?

One great way to get started on a new, or different, career path is to try temping. It’s a growth area as workplaces look to downsize their permanent workforce and staff-up for peak periods. But more and more, it’s also suiting employees – especially mums – as it gives more flexibility and pays well.

Being a ‘temp’ can do as much for you as you can do for the company that’s hiring you.

Here’s some tips on how to make the most of a temping opportunity.

1. Explore a new career. Is your background in finance but you really want to work for a non-profit organisation? Temping allows you to enter a new career and show how you can transfer your skill set to the new sector. You also get the advantage of testing out a career shift without making a full commitment to it, so you can decide if you truly want to go down this path.
2. Sharpen your skills. You may have been the PowerPoint Princess at your last job, so make sure you get to show off your amazing presentation skills at your temp job. But also be open to learning new skills that are relevant to where you’re working. Any training a temporary employer offers you, you should take-up. Even if you don’t end up working there, it will help you elsewhere.
3. Maintain your marketability. It’s important to explain gaps on your resume. If you had 12 months of maternity leave, say so. If you took your ‘gap year’ at age 25, that’s fine. If you have a year of temping, then make sure you say that also. Employers look at temp assignments that are relevant and completed. In fact, many employers see you ability to turn to temp work as showing good initiative as you’re willing to stay current and in the market. It’s also a great way of networking in a new industry, as a temp job can lead to a permanent job, or other jobs.
4. Learn about the company and industry. Nearly every business or organisation has a website, so make sure you have a look around it before you turn up for work the first day. It will really impress the boss if they know you know a little bit about it. And whatever you do, don’t arrive on the first day and say “I don’t know the first thing about banking/HR/IT/recruitment” (or whatever), as that suggests you have zero interest in what you’re doing and, even worse, zero initiative.