Professional associations are a great way to gain more information about an industry and/or field of interest and to establish networking contacts. Yahoo's Directory of Business Professional Organizations is a great resource. But if you don't find your area of interest represented, try a google search using industry-specific terms paired with the words "association" and "society."
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Temp Jobs? Temp-ting!
Whether you’re a recent college grad or a career changer, temporary job assignments can provide valuable experiences. Why? Two main reasons:
1. Temp jobs provide an opportunity to “test drive” both prospective career options and organizations to determine a fit. And for those of you who are still exploring career options or are maybe experiencing some commitment anxiety, it’s a great way to check out what’s out there. In doing so you, you not only gain insight about your interests, values, and skills but you also can develop valuable transferable skills in the process.
Case in point:
I once worked with a recent college grad (“Maggie”) that was very bright, very hard working, and very confused. She loved her college program of study but when it came to finding a job, she wasn’t sure where to start. Some people might be able to identify compatible career options through research, informational interviewing, etc. For Maggie, however, those steps weren’t enough. She needed first-hand experience before she could determine what really resonated. So, what did Maggie do? She took various temp jobs for about 2 years and through trial-and-error, she began narrowing down her focus more and more, until she finally determined the best fit! And now? Maggie is enrolled in graduate school so that she can gain the qualifications to pursue her career goal! Although it was a frustrating road at times, Maggie says she wouldn’t change her temp experiences for anything. Sometimes figuring out what you want means first determining what you don’t want. And for Maggie, that’s just what she needed. She now feels motivated, challenged, and truly excited about her career path.
2. Temp jobs can also be a great way to network, especially if you are new to a particular area.
Case in point:
“Lisa” had just moved to California from the east coast and was looking for a job in her industry. She had been working in her industry for about 15 years and knew exactly where she wanted to work. Lisa’s challenge, however, was that she didn’t know how to get her foot in the door. What did Lisa do? She applied to a local employment agency and worked a couple of temp assignments before she heard about an opportunity that opened up at her employer of choice. She immediately applied for the temp position that was posted, was hired, and before too long, she landed a permanent position with the company. Some companies actually post temp positions in order to “test out” prospective employees for permanent positions. Temporary positions may also save the employer money. However, if you prove your value in your temp role, the company will more than likely do what they can to keep you!
How to find a good temp/employment agency?
Ask around for a couple of recommendations. Or check out listings online in the yellow pages. Don’t apply to a million. Pick a couple that you like and establish rapport with the agent rep. They’re the ones finding the job opportunities for you, so you want them on your side!
Read more!
1. Temp jobs provide an opportunity to “test drive” both prospective career options and organizations to determine a fit. And for those of you who are still exploring career options or are maybe experiencing some commitment anxiety, it’s a great way to check out what’s out there. In doing so you, you not only gain insight about your interests, values, and skills but you also can develop valuable transferable skills in the process.
Case in point:
I once worked with a recent college grad (“Maggie”) that was very bright, very hard working, and very confused. She loved her college program of study but when it came to finding a job, she wasn’t sure where to start. Some people might be able to identify compatible career options through research, informational interviewing, etc. For Maggie, however, those steps weren’t enough. She needed first-hand experience before she could determine what really resonated. So, what did Maggie do? She took various temp jobs for about 2 years and through trial-and-error, she began narrowing down her focus more and more, until she finally determined the best fit! And now? Maggie is enrolled in graduate school so that she can gain the qualifications to pursue her career goal! Although it was a frustrating road at times, Maggie says she wouldn’t change her temp experiences for anything. Sometimes figuring out what you want means first determining what you don’t want. And for Maggie, that’s just what she needed. She now feels motivated, challenged, and truly excited about her career path.
2. Temp jobs can also be a great way to network, especially if you are new to a particular area.
Case in point:
“Lisa” had just moved to California from the east coast and was looking for a job in her industry. She had been working in her industry for about 15 years and knew exactly where she wanted to work. Lisa’s challenge, however, was that she didn’t know how to get her foot in the door. What did Lisa do? She applied to a local employment agency and worked a couple of temp assignments before she heard about an opportunity that opened up at her employer of choice. She immediately applied for the temp position that was posted, was hired, and before too long, she landed a permanent position with the company. Some companies actually post temp positions in order to “test out” prospective employees for permanent positions. Temporary positions may also save the employer money. However, if you prove your value in your temp role, the company will more than likely do what they can to keep you!
How to find a good temp/employment agency?
Ask around for a couple of recommendations. Or check out listings online in the yellow pages. Don’t apply to a million. Pick a couple that you like and establish rapport with the agent rep. They’re the ones finding the job opportunities for you, so you want them on your side!
Read more!
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