Many new graduates are finding the current job market humbling, to say the least. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the unemployment rate for 16- to 24-year-old workers averaged 18.4%, compared with 9.6% for U.S. workers overall. What’s more is that students are graduating from college with more debt than ever, making finding a good job critically important.
So if you’re a new grad and can’t find work in your field, what can you do?
One solution is temporary employment. Many new graduates overlook temping because they believe it might hurt their chances of finding full-time work or that the only temp jobs available in Miami are clerical in nature or in a warehouse.
This couldn’t be further from the truth, though.
Leading employers throughout Miami – and the U.S. – hire temporary employees for a variety of positions, from accounting to IT to administration and marketing. As a result, getting a temp job is a great way to gain experience in your field, as well as network with other industry professionals, which is important if you eventually want to land a full-time position.
In addition, getting temp jobs is typically a little less strenuous than a full-time position. There isn’t a long hiring process, with multiple interviews, nor any salary negotiations to prepare for.
Plus there’s no major commitment since the job is temporary. As a result, you can try out several different kinds of positions and gain a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
Best of all, you will be able to receive regular, weekly paychecks, while still acquiring meaningful work experiences.
So if you’re interested in temp employment, what should you do next?
Research. Do some research to find employment agencies that place people in fields or positions you’re interested in. If the temp job works out well, and you impress the employer you’re placed with, it could lead to a full-time position down the road.
Be open. Also, once you select an agency to work with, be upfront and open about your career goals. The more your recruiter gets to know you – and what you’d like to achieve in your career – the better chance you have of being placed on assignments that align with your goals.
Act like a full-time employee. And finally, when you do start getting temp jobs, act like an employee, not a temporary worker. Approach work each day with the mindset that your assignment could turn into a full-time opportunity. Work hard, aim to please, network with company employees, act professionally, and keep a positive attitude.
Through the relationships you develop on an assignment, you could find out about an upcoming job opening. If not, though, you’ll still have the opportunity to network with other professionals and earn a regular paycheck, all while improving your skill set and making yourself more marketable as a result.
If you’d like to learn more about temp jobs in Miami, please let us know. Future Force works with hundreds of leading employers throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and West Palm Beach and we can offer you access to a variety of temp jobs you won’t find advertised anywhere else, in addition to a competitive benefits package.