Should Iwork with just one temp agency?
Dear J.T. & DALE: I have been using a temp agency since I got out of college, in addition to searching for jobs. My mother believes that I should be using more than one temp agency, whereas I feel like I should use only one. I believe that the agencies actively want to know if you
Talkjobs
are using other
J.T. O’donnell&
Daledauten temp agencies,
and because of that I feel that having more than one would actually cause both to look for jobs for me less, rather than finding more opportunities.– W.K.
J.T.: Yes, your thoughts are correct: If a temporary agency has the “exclusive” on placing you, it will be more likely to pitch you for jobs. If the agents feel you are working with multiple agencies, they’ll worry that they will lose you to other assignments.
To get more work from your agency, simply say: “I’m glad to be partnering with you. I don’t work with any other temporary agencies in hopes that it helps you with placements. Please let me know what else I can do to work with you more frequently.”
Treat the agency like a customer. See what you can do to exceed expectations, and you’ll be rewarded.
DALE: But, while doing all that, never forget your goal: to find a permanent job. Temping isn’t just a way to make some money while you’re waiting around; no, it’s a splendid job-search vehicle. There are firms that use temps as “trial employees,” so be sure to make inquiries. Further, you are spending your days in the middle of a networking goldmine. Be sure to ask everyone where else they have worked, which professional organizations they would recommend, and if they know anyone at your target list of employers. Then make sure to tell your mom about all the leads you’re generating.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I’ve been in the corporate world for a decade and have a good job as a product manager. However, it is sucking the life out of me. How can I find an equally well-paying career that doesn’t leave me brain-dead every day? – Rock
DALE: It’s ironic that one major reason for job dissatisfaction is the unicornish belief in all-day, everyday job joy. I don’t know anybody who loves everything about their work. So try this: Make a list of the parts of your job that you enjoy and those you hate, and then look around and see if there are places where you can improve the ratio. A successful career isn’t just a simple-minded formula of “do what you love”; it’s finding a place where you get to spend enough time doing what you love that you cheerfully put up with all the garbage that comes with every job.
J.T.: Yes, I’d urge you to be slow to throw away a career. We’ve met plenty of people who gave up a lot of success and income, only to find that the grass wasn’t greener. Perhaps what you need is a different employer or different role within the company to make you feel better. So, why not consider finding ways to make your current career more exciting?
DALE: The same work that sucks the life out of you in a bureaucratic company can, for instance, be exciting and rewarding in an entrepreneurial company.
J.T.: If you do some experimenting and still feel the need to change careers, I hope you have some flexibility on salary, at least in the short run. Given your decade of work experience, you can go into a new field and hopefully leverage that to move up faster and quickly close the gap on your salary. All that said, you first need to find a career that doesn’t drain you. I’d start with some online assessments to see where your career interests lie. Then, meet with people in the professions you find of interest. It’s important to hear firsthand the pros and cons of the career you are considering switching to. You need a clear vision of yourself in that new career, and how it will give you energy, not suck it out of you.
– Workplace consultant and career coach J.T. O’donnell has coached, trained and mentored employees and managers on awide variety of career-related subjects since 1994. Her book, “CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to A Satisfying Career” is available at Jtodonnell.com. Management guru Daledauten has written six books and is an authority on innovation in theworkplace. His latest book, “Great Employees Only: Howgifted Bossess Hire & Dehire Theirway to Success” is available atdauten.com. Copyright 2017 King Features.