A `temp'ting offer

THERE are a lot of things that one wants do before one turns thirty - travel the world, scuba dive, rappel down a high cliff or better still, explore careers till you find the right one.

A friend did just that. She `temped' her way to her `kind' of a job. Just out of college, she went on try a temporary stint at a coffee shop, enjoyed the ambience and the crowds, but felt tired and worked off her feet by the end of the day.

She marked time as a front office executive with a five star restaurant for three months, but was uninspired by the experience.

Next in line was as an HR trainee with a corporate set up.

This was where she finally found her moorings and began to steadily rise up the ladder.

Temping or working as a temporary skilled worker has been a practice for a very long time.

Traditionally, people would opt for temporary employment as a stopgap means of earning additional income. Of late however, temping has assumed new meaning and dimensions.

Teenagers, grads and even older folks with vast experience often opt for temporary assignments as a means of finding their forte.

But when should you `temp' and what are the benefits that accrue from temping?

Four seasons

Temping is a good alternative for all seasons. The criterion is what you want from the experience.

Are you exploring options, alternatives, looking for just another employment, or have you a more serious agenda lined up? Whichever way it is, you need to have all your thoughts in place before jumping into the exciting and unpredictable world of temping.

Mindset

Temping involves a great deal of perseverance. Yes, perseverance power, motivation and the enthusiasm to learn something new all the time. An abundance of these qualities will help you see through a fruitful period of temping.

The right approach too is important. When you approach temping as an opportunity for professional growth and not as a stopgap arrangement, you will begin to see an opportunity in your `temp' job.

Temp hunting

Looking for a temp spot involves as much effort as looking for a regular job. Scan all the dailies, weeklies and business journals for temp jobs.

Firstly, list jobs and functions where you think you'd like to temp. Next, whip up a suitable resume and hit the job market. Your resume should also include a mention of your strengths, skills and areas of interest. This will give the prospective employer an idea of what you're capable and where your skills can best be utilised.

This will open windows of opportunity that you've never imagined before.

Making the most

Make the most of the temping opportunity. This period can be an eye opener in terms of personal and professional growth. You can pick up or hone skills from interpersonal to social and technical skills. Impressions do matter and your employers become important references for the job you've dreamed of all your life!

Frequent temping

Temping can however become addictive. So, don't lose sight of your real goals! Temp with a purpose - as in finding a more permanent, secure, growth oriented profession.

Temping, taking a break and them temping again can become a habitual exercise and actually tempt you into a `rootless' career. It is fine as long as you are young and have no commitments. But it is an unhealthy pattern if you're looking for a stable career. It's also unproductive because it will reflect poorly on your resume and make you look like the proverbial job hopper. Temping is one of the many options one can explore before settling down in a secure profession. So make hay while the going is good. There are a lot of temp opportunities on the horizon now. Grab them before they disappear!

SAMYUKTA KODA

samyukta.hyd@cnkonline.com