Work for a temp agency, or temporary agencies, part two

©Copyright LillyGrillzit all rights reserved 08/21/10

Lilly's last job ended June 20th, 2010. Lilly is older, and the closer she gets to retirement, the less desirable she becomes to prospective employers. One thing she has within her power, is to Write my Way Out of This Situation. Other than that, she has been searching for work that pays a little right now.

In the olden days, we traipsed from business to business, filling out endless applications until our hand, being numb and blue, would nearly come off at the wrist. The expense, wear and tear, is tax deductible, but the stress and constant rejection or wait was hard on a soul.

From 1990 - 1997, as a single parent of 4 pre-teens, Lilly often needed to work several jobs to make ends meet. In order to work her regular Full-Time job (34 hours per week), and find extra work on a days notice, she signed up all 4 Temporary and Staffing Agencies in her small town. Some required the worker to call on Monday of the week to let them know their availability, others wanted you to call in early of the morning the temp wanted work.

There was no telling what kind of job they would offer. Each agency had their own policies. At one agency, if you refused a job twice, you were suspended for 6 months. Lilly quickly learned how to drop into a position, learn how they wanted things done, and act accordingly. She got jobs doing data entry, housekeeping, and selling Car mats that go in automobiles.

There is good news to share with U.S. job seekers, employers, and persons in the International field, Lilly learned this during Lilly's own frantic job search.

Having connected with her State Workforce Services division's website,Workforce Services(WFS), this site, provides an area where a person looking for work, can post their necessary information, references, past employment history and allows a place for up to 4 resumes or CV's..

These systems are very helpful, especially for the more seasoned worker. A job seeker, does not have to continually try to remember if it was June or July when you started with "Acme", and as one ages, the years begin to play tricks on you... Didn't Kinny graduate in '97?, No, it was '95!

Once you have your information set, it is forever saved. The WFS match up words from yourresume, and the type of jobs you are seeking. A job seeker can change the parameters for limitless searches.

If there is a job that matches your interests, and/or qualified for, you simply hit a button. Then, you have applied for this job. After a prospective employer has reviewed your information, they may request you fill out their specific application, and possibly more.

Last week, she got several leads e-mailed to her home computer. Lilly sent applications in and added her resume. Lilly's resume was three pages long. She listed every skill, training,job, and certification received in the last 10 years. Her resume was a train wreck.

One job offer, from Work Force Services was data entry. linked to the job, and it took her to the website of Robert Half International (RHI). Here she was invited to set up her profile, and search jobs in her State, the U.S. and Canada.

One of the subsidiaries is OFFICETEAM: Specialized Administrative Staffing, and AccountTemps, On the Robert Half, Inc. site. Lilly signed up for office jobs, construction positions, archaeological assistants.

This was on Sunday night August 15, 2010. [If you sign up with them, please let them know you were referred by me, Lori Latimer, my #1006580313]

On Monday , August 16, 2010 Lilly received a call from a representative of the OFFICETEAM. JP, was polite and set me an appointment for the following day. JP advised Lilly would take Excel, Word, and Typing speed tests, as well as a Alpha-Numeric 10-key test.

Truthfully, Lilly didn't expect much. Go in, pass the test, go to work. This agency has a different philosophy than anything she has ever known.

Tuesday , August 17, 2010 after her test scores were calculated, JP interviewed me. This was a refreshing meeting. He let Lilly know if she was willing , he would make her marketable for the needs of today's businesses. Lilly may be older, but she knows in order to survive in todays technologically advanced world, a person must continue learning, and accept that things change. The world changes everyday. Lilly is willing, she has good experience, good references and an extensive work history.

What had to be done:

1. Her resume had to be redone. JP told her he would go through it, and send Lilly recommended changes via the Internet.
2. Important : She had to be registered on LinkedIn. This is today's ultimate network and marketing arena.
3. She had to be prompt and represent them in a professional and respectful manner.
4. She must meet goals set by JP and OFFICETEAM.
5. A requirement is primarily communicating on-line. What a relief. Save gas and the environment.

When Lilly arrived home on Tuesday afternoon, she had 2 messages from JP.

• A suggested outline for my resume was sitting in my In Box.
• A connection request from JP to my old and unused LinkedIn account.

Lilly re-did her resume, and e-mailed it back. Although It was after business hours. In 30 minutes JP had messaged her back, Great Job! On the resume he included; great job. Thank you JP for being there.

Quickly, Lilly accepted his connection on LinkedIn, and found about 80 other people she knows in various platforms. Suddenly Lilly was networking.

On Wednesday August 18, 2010, JP called Lilly. He had two interviews arranged. One forThursday , August 19, 2010, in the afternoon, and another for Friday morning, August 20, 2010.

Lilly interviewed for both jobs . The initial testing, interview, necessary Identification process, and subsequent interviews, were the only things Lilly had to do in person. Everything else was done on the phone or on-line. For people who have been out of work, or underemployed for any length of time, having to run back and forth to an agency is a financial burden that does not happen with Robert Half I OFFICETEAM.

On Friday at 4:00 p.m. JP called Lilly to let her know, she starts to work on Monday, August 23, 2010.

Lilly has included links below to the OFFICETEAM on-line application. The Robert Half Company International focuses on all other positions outside of the office environment. Once you have enrolled with them (free in the U.S.), you will be developed and networked to a world where they need good employees.

Update: September 1, 2010 - I have worked for OFFICETEAM for a week and a couple of days. They offer Direct Deposit of your payroll check. My current assignment ends on Friday, September 3, 2010.

What am I going to do now?

Accountemps! How about start a new assignment Tuesday September 7th?! JP of OFFICETEAM sent me to another interview Monday, August 30, 2010, after I got off work. Yesterday, JP asked me how the interview went, I thought good. He said, you got the assignment. So, except for the Labor Day Weekend Holiday, I will have another job lined up for next week.

Accountemps is another subsidiary of Robert Half, Inc. Another difference in Robert Half International is they don't lock you into a "type." Yes, I can do Administrator duties (Secretarial for you old schoolers that may be making a comeback), but I can do bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, construction and on. If you have talents and skills, they will build on them. Two Paws Up! (link below)

I have gotten a lot of feedback from OFFICETEAM, and it is helpful, and like I said before, it is different. A Positive experience. Updates to come...

Yesterday, I received a newsletter from Robert Half Inc.I OFFICETEAM showing benefits available to those who are enrolled with the company. They are different from other agencies. They are staffing for 2010 and beyond.

I am currently on an assignment that will last 4-6 weeks. Under AccountTemps (Robert Half International), we receive weekly e-mails, surveys and opportunities to continue educational points.

When you go on-line at www.Roberthalfinternational.com, and register for full or part-time work, You will notice all of the different tabs. The MyTraining tab will take you to the CPE points you can earn, and an idea of what is offered.

For those fresh out of college, and wanting to get into an Accounting Firm or CPA's office, you can gain experience, points, and the needed "experience" without having to go through permanent hiring and then terminations. Working for a Staffing Agency as well thought-out as RobertHalf's OFFICETEAM and AccountTemps, puts you into Firms and other businesses that are often "Temp to Permanent." This is a very good way for Employers and Employees to get the feel. Find out expectations and abilities, and even the areas a person may need to hone their training.

Robert Half International is the one-stop for a person wanting to work, shop around for a permanent employer, and continue education. This is at no charge to the Temp.. If you want to be working soon, and you really aren't sure what area of accounting or business you want to go in, a firm RHI, who have AccountTemps, and OFFICETEAM this is a good way to earn and learn.