I'm signed up with several NYC temp agencies. A few of them got me a lot of work in '06, '07, and the beginning of '08. I also registered with a few more in the past few months.

Whenever I check in - and I don't check in with them all the time anymore - I just hear, "Yeah, it's still really slow right now. I'll call/email you if anything comes in - thanks for checking in! (etc.)"

In the past 14(?) months, I think I've gotten about two days of work through temp agencies.

I do have a part-time office job (which is NOT through a temp agency). If it wasn't for that...I wouldn't be working at all.

Anyway, interested and curious to hear how everyone else here is doing, now that's it mid-October.

Let me know....thanks

If you PM me, I can give you a personal referral to my temp agency. Atrium. They are wonderful. I have been employed by them full time for 2 years.

I get a lot of temp work. I work with Decorum and Temporary Staffing by Suzanne.

Make sure your resume is polished and you wear a good suit -- be as professional as possible.

I've never worn a suit as a temp (I wear jeans every day) and come and go as I please. And I've worked full time as a temp at the same high profile office for 2 years. I got lucky. I take time off when I shoot a project, or need to audition.

Great temp jobs for actors do exist. Beats waiting tables. Just my two cents.

Starting your own business sounds great too, if you have the imagination and skills.

Thanks very much to the people who have replied so far!

I agree with amo37, the long-term temp gigs can be quite good sometimes. I had that for a while (where I was at the same place for several months). It's good because they get to know you, and if they like you, they won't mind so much if you have to occasionally be out of the office for an audition or something. It really depends on the company, but it's definitely doable.

amo37 - I just sent you a PM.

You have to contact them every day, strike up a friendly conversation and build a relationship with them. In the meantime, find part time work so you don't have a huge gaping hole in your resume and keep up your office skills as you will have to prove you have what it takes.

When I was looking for a day job, I temped and did volunteer work for projects that had a deep meaning for me. I added this valuable experience to the resume, with a cover letter that came from the heart expressing my interest in working for an organization that was about bettering the environment and neighborhood.

Some employers thought I was kidding and called me in to interview to see if I was being legit or not. When they found out I was serious, they stopped playing games and either offered me a job or apologized for not believing me and kept me in mind for future gigs.

Despite the fact I work at one place, I still keep in contact with all my temp agencies, drop a line from time to time to let them know I'm alive and thinking of them.

One particular job took me over a year of campaigning and building a relationship with HR in order to even get an interview. But..I was always polite, friendly, cordial, professional.

And I got called for a couple of gigs, because I was never attitudy or acting frustrated or antsy towards them. They liked that I didn't come across a raving psycho despite my bills piling up. Patience, despite the economy, does work.

By the way, I tried Atrium. They advised they were overflowing with resumes. Seeing this is NYC, Atrium isn't the only game in town. Trust me.

I never said Atrium was the only game in town. There are plenty of good temp services. But at this time, most temp services are all overflowing with resumes. I have a friend who works in another temp office and they have few jobs and lots of resumes.

I have just had great luck with Atrium for 2 years. I was merely mentioning them. I am not a paid endoreser of the company. Lol.

Excuse the typo. Typing too fast. I meant, I am not a paid endorser of Atrium.

Asset Staffing and Oliver Staffing. Proxy soliticiation firms is long term at least 3 months.

If Oliver offers you King Tel, beware. King Tel's work is scarce after 2 months. Good luck.

Thank you!