In theme with the recent release of the new Superman vs Batman film we thought we would share some of our advice on becoming ‘SuperTemp’.
It’s a fact; unemployment is at a decade-low rate. However, figures show that the number of jobs available has been on the continued increase for quite some time now. For a lot of people, when out of work, the first step towards getting back into permanent employment may well be to look at ‘temping’. This is a great way to gain further experience, build new networks, earn some extra cash and also ensure gaps on your CV are kept to a minimum.
This is not the only reason some people choose temp work. Some have successful careers as a contractor that gives them a wealth of experience working in different environments and the flexibility to move onto something new.
Mitchell Adam has specialist Consultants that work in the fast-paced environment that is temp recruitment. Part of the process the consultants follow is to meet each and every candidate to interview them thoroughly and assess their suitability before putting them forward for any roles.
Every week we meet with dozens of candidates that are looking for employment and it’s our job to make sure they are a good fit for the job before submitting them to our clients. So how could temps improve their chances of getting an interview and, from there, being successful in their temp assignment?
It all starts at the beginning when you come to meet with one of our Consultants. Based on our decades of experience recruiting for temp positions, we’d like to share with you some of our top tips…
Timekeeping
To be early is to be on time and all that… Turning up even a few minutes late without a forward planned call is possibly one of the worst impressions you can create. We need to feel confident that you would be on time for an interview and for day-to-day work if we are to put you forward for a job.
Planning
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. It sounds cheesy but it’s so true. Planning every aspect of what you do is vital – planning your journey, researching the company, getting yourself familiar with the role, and so on. The most successful candidates arrive at every appointment in a job process knowing in advance all they need to know, armed with relevant questions to ask about things they don’t know.
Presentation
You should never judge a book by its cover but first impressions do count for a lot. As the old saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”. When attending any interview you should always be trying to dress to impress. Looking smart and sharp may sound like a basic thing to do but it’s crucial. This also extends to your first interaction with the people you meet – eye contact, a smile, a positive greeting and a firm (but not too firm!) handshake all help to create a winning first impression.
Personality
Employers want to see people with drive and enthusiasm, people with a passion for life as well as work, and we want to see that too. We need to get to know your personality and feel excited about you as a candidate if we are going to be speaking to our clients and trying to arrange work for you. Therefore it is important to be yourself and not fall into the trap of deploying an uber-professional, cold and emotionless ‘interview persona’ for your own interview. Professionalism is of course important, but we need to see who you are so that we can better judge what environment is going to be the best fit for you.
With combined experience of over 35 years in the recruitment industry we are confident that our guidance and advice can help to ensure that you are successful in your temporary assignment. Following the above 5 steps would be a good start and will certainly help you to become ‘SuperTemp’.
– Emma George –