I figured i would start this new group off.

The joys of temping: Setting your own hours. Getting paid what you want to be paid. Getting paid every week.

Sometimes: You even get these jobs. Your phone rings constantly for positions that need you.

and sometimes: You get stuck and can't even get them to call you back, and needless to say that you've been eating PB&J's for months now and are about to puke at the site of them.

Sounds like someone got blacklisted by a recruiter jock or jockess...better luck next time. With temping it is best to register will a million agencies...the recruiters are known to make life tough for you if you cant 'trick' with them for something they'de like to obligate you for...

I agree - sign up for a bunch of agencies. Then call them every other day to see what's going on work wise. I've been told that agencies see tons of people a day and sometimes you need to put yourself out there and on the phone or in person to let them know you are serious about temping.

I used to temp with an agency, they got me a lot of reception type jobs--loved that I'm college educated and can speak well. I ended up working directly for their agency and ssaw a little of what goes on form their POV. First, when potential temps came in, some set themselves apart from the beginning. They came in dressed professionally, did well on the "tests," and had a can-do attitude. Second, like agents and managers, they stoppped calling people who turned them down too often, or who were caught out in lying about their skills. Last, people who followed up once a week were also thought of highly. (I think every other day is a but much, you'll come off as needy rather than professional.)

i have a serious love/hate relationship with temping... i love the money and flexibility, but i absoltuely HATE spending my days sitting at someone's desk doing absolutely nothing. SO BORING! granted, i have probably the shortest attention span on the planet, but for real. every temp position ive done has consisted of answering the phone maybe 3 times within an 8 hour period, the rest of my time spent counting down the minutes till i can go home.

i much prefer bartending.

haha dead on.

im looking for a side job right now, what agencies can any recomend?
thanks all

temping worked out perfectly for me.

i was temping as a receptionist for a month or so at a post-production house and became friendly with the editors.

one day they called me into one of the editing suites to do a voiceover as a placeholder for a citibank commercial since the real actress wouldn't be coming in for a few days.

they ended up liking my voice and hiring me for the commercial. ended up making 40k for that gig.

temping is great because you get exposed to many different industries and if you know how to work it and have general people skills (which surprisingly a lot of people lack) you can network like a maniac!

in MD it's not that cool but when I make the big move i'll definitely take that route or work as a mail clerk to get experience.

The best thing about temping is that you canbail if you get a gig.