Job Search Tip: Opportunity Lost and Found

[Greg Lachs]

A friend of mine recently told me about a “temp” they’d brought in for a week (which was part of the problem.)

This employee was brought in for a temporary position that was going to last at least 5 months, due to someone’s impending leave. While there were no guarantees about anything longer, it was a 5 month stint with a paycheck – with a chance to positively impress a lot of people.

And impress people this person truly did. He took 10-20 minute breaks almost every hour, texted regularly at his desk, visited Facebook regularly, and showed minimal interest in learning about what the job entailed. Instead of asking how he could help his team, he’d just sit at his desk and text or surf the net. The entire department made their concerns known to a manager: by the end of the first week, it had also become this person’s last week.

The person who told me about this is someone I’ve known quite a long time, so I knew this was a true tale of “Opportunity Lost.”

Some of us may choose to work with staffing firms in our search. I have done that.

And a “temp” gig may come up that has some “life” in it – it doesn’t pay badly and it lasts more than a day or two. Sometimes, it’s months.

If you step into this arena, please be aware that you are auditioning. You are like an actor trying to land a role in a major motion picture. There are multiple opportunities to showcase your “stardom” by demonstrating your professionalism, dedication and initiative. Even if the employer has no “full time” opportunities, you have the chance to make a positive impression. You may get new references out of the experience and possibly leads to jobs in other places. At minimum, you’ve done a good job.

Some folks may not want temporary work: that’s ok. It’s not a fit for everyone.

But, if you are willing and able, be aware that it’s an opportunity. Not just to bring in some money, but also to make an impression.

If you get that chance, make your impression a good one.

Opportunities can be found, too.

If you have more questions regarding your job search, you will find tips at Greg Lachs's Job Search Dolphin Blog.

[amyeandrews]

I agree. The only problem sometimes comes in that temp jobs don't always play to our strengths or what we actually enjoy doing, thus being a "temp," and usually boredom. Often, it's the mentality, I just need to pay the rent. That's okay, but you might not want everyone to know it. Maybe it's good to keep some things to yourself and do a little bit of acting, so you can keep paying the bills. Think: Joey on Friends. He did a lot of temp jobs in between his acting gigs, and hated all of them, but he just played along.