Careers

Temporary Jobs

Tips for Finding a Temporary Job

By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide

See More About:

Interested in a temporary job? Working as a temp can be a way to earn a paycheck when you can't find a permanent position, a way to earn extra money, a path to permanent employment, and a way to get resume building experience.

Here's information on the types of temp jobs that are available, temp to perm jobs, how to search for temp jobs, tips for working with a temporary agency, and advice on interviewing for a temporary position.

Temp Jobs

Is unemployment running out? Are your cash reserves getting low? Don't want to commit to a permanent position? Consider a temporary job to help pay the bills. Temporary agency positions are available in just about every career field and location.

Types of Temporary Jobs

Temporary jobs aren't just for retail workers during the holiday season or for filling in for office workers filling vacation.

Companies are increasingly hiring temporary workers because it's more cost effective than adding a full time worker to the payroll when you aren't sure what your staffing needs are for the long term.

How to Search for a Temporary Job

The job search engines are an excellent source of temporary job listings. When you use the Advanced Search options you'll be able to search by type of position and narrow the results to include only temporary job listings in a specific location. Here's how.

Working for a Temp Agency

Image Copyright Getty Images Assembly

A temporary staffing firm, also known as a temp agency, retains workers to send out on short or long term assignments. Companies in need of short or long term temporary workers will enter a contract with the temp agency to fill jobs with appropriately skilled workers. Here's more on working for a temp agency.

Temp to Perm Jobs

A temp to perm job is a job that starts out as temporary job, but turns into a permanent position. The employee could be hired with the possibility of a temporary assignment turning into a permanent job. Or, at some point during the assignment the company decides they would like the employee to stay on and offers him or her a permanent job.

Temp Job Interview Tips

Interviews for temporary jobs are just as important as interviews for permanent positions. Even though you're interviewing to be a temp, it's a competitive job market and it's important to stand out from the crowd of job seekers. Here's how to ace a temp job interview.

Temp Job Interview Questions and Answers

Interviewing for a temp job? It's important to frame your responses to interview questions carefully when you are seeking temporary employment. Take the time to review common temp job interview questions and sample answers so you're prepared in advance for your interview.

More Information on Temporary Jobs

Temporary jobs, temp agencies, temp to perm positions, placement agencies, and resources for temps.

Temporary Jobs

Temp Jobs

Temp Job Interviews

Alison Doyle
Job Searching Guide

Sign up for My Newsletter

A part of The New York Times Company.