HOW TO BE THE MOST POPULAR TEMPORARY WORKER OF ALL

By Karen Conole

“Whatever you decide to do, resolve to be the best your can be at it.”

You’ve probably heard that quote in various incarnations many times over the years, but have you ever thought to apply it your own situation?

You have already decided (or have allowed it to be decided for you) that precious hours, days, weeks or more of your life will be allotted for certain activities, such as work, hobbies, friendships, etc. Since you’ve committed yourself to those activities, why not embrace those choices and give them the credence they deserve, by striving to do those activities as well as you possibly can?

You may regard some of those activities—such as temporary work—to be simply “marking time” while waiting for the perfect offer to come along. But whether you are a professional temporary who finds this work provides the freedom you need to suit your lifestyle, or are “just passing through” to something else, either way it’s time you will never see again, so make it quality time.

How?

First of all, don’t refer to yourself as “just a temp.” Many people spent a lot of time, money and effort in getting you into temporary assignments and that wouldn’t happen if your contribution wasn’t important—more important, even, than the myriad other things that didn’t receive that time, money and effort. Referring to yourself as less than the skilled, motivated worker needed for the job causes the client, your agency and eventually even you, yourself, to devalue your role in the firm’s success. You are more than “just a temp,” so don’t forget it and—above all—don’t ever say to anyone you’re not!

Second, don’t limit yourself or you’ll limit your growth, and limiting your growth limits your value. The old expression, “You never know until you try,” really applies to temporary work. What may seem like an uninteresting or inconvenient placement may end up being just your cup of tea, so don’t be so quick to turn down a job because it’s not exactly what you had in mind. Your mind is a big place, so find room in it to include new experiences and use it to develop new skills. You might find you enjoy this new work, or you might meet a good new friend, or make a positive career connection. Who knows? You won’t—unless you get out there and expand your horizons.

Additionally, the more willing you are to take assignments your agency offers, the more they will offer. It’s just simple efficiency on their part: Why make several calls to different employees, trying to find someone to accept a position if they know one call to you will fill the job and save everyone time?

The same goes for on-the-job tasks. If your supervisor knows you are willing to accept new challenges as time permits, you will find your workdays filled with far more varied and interesting projects and your skills growing with every assignment.

Third, before taking an assignment at a new firm, try to find out something about the firm. Go online and check out the firm’s philosophy, what community projects it supports and even who the principle players are. You’ll feel more like an “insider” upon arrival and walk the halls with more confidence. Also, you’ll know if it’s the kind of place you’d be interested in for long-term employment or just for the length of the current assignment, and be ready with your response, should you be offered a full-time position.

Fourth, if you don’t know something and can’t find the answer—ask! Often the staff person whose desk you’re covering has done that job so long there are no notes on how to accomplish even basic tasks like faxing or copying. The “manual” is in the head of that staff person and no one has thought to ask for a copy, so you’ll need to do it, one question at a time. Whether it’s from your agency or your on-sight supervisor, if it’s information necessary to do the job well then you need to have, and asking for it will make you look conscientious and engaged in the work. Don’t ask, and you may appear apathetic or lazy. So ask—nobody who wants the job done right will mind.

Lastly, while on the job try your best to be most like a “pleasant machine.” That is, suppress as much as you can of your personal life once you walk through the door because most employers, while willing to listen briefly to your weekend adventures, are really just interested in your work, not your social life. Don’t be offended. That’s why it’s called “work.” That’s why you’re there, too. The closer you can come to fulfilling the client’s needs (i.e., “work”) while suppressing your personal needs (checking your emails, calling family, etc.), the more value you will have given your time. The more value you give your time, the more your time will be requested and the more you can charge for that time. And that’s worth waiting to get home to check your emails, right? So, be pleasant, but be a quiet, efficient, reliable and worry-free “machine.” They will beat a path to your door, guaranteed. Even if you don’t want a job offer, make them want to hire you and you’ll know you’ve exceeded their expectations.

Whether you want a permanent position or enjoy the permanent freedom and flexibility of temporary work, while you’re spending your time at a job, make sure that your time is valued not only by you but by those for whom you’re working.

You can’t get that time back so—while you can—make it quality time, for everyone.