How do Temp Agencies work?

[Thunderscreech]

I'm getting tired of not having a job. My bizarre class schedual makes things worse, so I guess a Temp Agency is the way to go.

But how does that whole system work, exactly? And is there anything I need to know before going in?

[hbarcat]

They interview you extensively to find out what jobs you're suitable for and what you're willing to do and then they do a drug and background check. After that, they place you in a suitable job (or jobs) and you go to work there. Your actual employer is the temp agency so they are the ones who sign your check.

Temp to hire means that you work for the agency for a period of time until (and if) the place where you work hires you to work for them. This is usually 60 days.

[tplyons]

Temp Agencies are great while you're in college, I spent some time working at one. That got me a great temp job working in a Distribution Center (warehouse) that was THE greatest 20-hour a week job. I was bringing in $180 a week after taxes, working from 6:00-10:00 PM, time that I would normally waste watching television.

The temp agency is your employer. They are essentially a contractor, you work for them, but work somewhere else. You can line up some great jobs this way, but you can also find a lot of jobs that work well with your schedule this way.

I highly recommend it.

[bongomania]

Yeah, I've had some times when a temp agency job saved my ass. It's not all roses, sometimes the jobs are menial, stinky, noisy, etc... but if you have any particular job skills you can avoid the worse gigs. If you have no job skills yet then be prepared to do some not-so-great jobs at first. But again though it's a great way to get some money in the door. And while I suppose there may be some unscrupulous agencies out there, the ones that I worked for were fair.

[The Golden Boy]

Keep in mind that when you get a job- that job would pay more to you than the agency pays you. The agency has to get their cut.