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Do 78: Temping Differently to Interview Instantly

Temporary services—from clerical to interim executives—are instant interview incubators!

Until now, temps didn’t have access to this remarkable benefit because they didn’t know how to do it. Now we’ll turn up the heat on those incubators and see what hatches.

Forget temp-to-hire. It’s temp-to-bow-coo-interviews time . . .

Decide What Specialty You’d Like

Temp services specialize in every field imaginable. You’re interested in law? Accounting? Health care? There’s a local temp service for you.

They also specialize in certain levels within that specialty—support staff, midmanagement, professionals.

Google temporary help services, the specialty you’d like, and the area where you’d like to interview.

You can also use a general temp service if you’re not sure.

Let Each Temp Service Know Your Intentions

Tell them that you’re available as a temp and will go out on assignments.

If a full-time position is offered by the client, however, you expect them to waive any immediate placement or temp-to-hire conversion fee. In exchange, promise they can count on you to represent them well and do everything possible to increase their business.

Many temp services waive conversion fees as a matter of policy for good clients or after a certain period. Whether they’ll waive an initial placement fee depends on the service.

Respect their decision. It’s their business.

Register with a Dozen Temp Services

Since you’re turning up the volume on your future, you’ll want to maximize your reach. Local, where you’d like to relo, whatever.

You can do this online. Pick ones from various specialties if you like.

Register online and interview by phone. This will save time.

Go Only on Those Assignments that Mean Interviews

The temp service will discuss the client, duties, and pay with you. Make it clear that you can and will do the job, but that you’re going on the assignment for the purpose of interviewing.

There are only two types of assignments for you. Those that are instant interviews and those that allow you to do instant interviews.

Of course, get the name of the client, its address, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address. Then directions, dress requirements, and length of assignment.

Use the Assignment to Interview with as Many Offerors as Possible

Go much wider than internal job postings (Do 30) and jobs that are being advertised (Do 19).

Use your incredible instant skills to make job openings as you do whenever you appear like a genie (Do 1).

You can probably sleepwalk through your temp job. Clients don’t usually give nonemployee, short-term strangers responsibility for major things. Temps don’t usually want those jobs either. They want flexibility and freedom.

That’s you right now.

Think of the Temp Service as a Partner in Your Interviewing

Temp services work all day (and night) to find and fill employer needs. Often frantically and very competently.

One minute they’re picking up a temp to take him to the job, the next they’re trying to get a time card from someone who’s left the country.

So your little business about instant income while incessantly interviewing is—well—incidental! Now you see why I call temp services instant interview incubators.

So turn on your computer and turn up the heat!

Do 79: Igniting Intense Interview Interest from Competitors

When you just show up at a competitor of your last employer, you’ll know the meaning of intense interview interest!

Every business has competitors, and every one wants to know their secrets. Many have intricate procedures to protect them. Preventing their disclosure and use is often the highest priority of the business.

I have experience here. I wrote the only trade secrets law for the placement industry, testify as an expert on the subject, and litigate these issues.

So, when you appear like a genie and announce, “I used to be with Worst Enemy, Inc.,” the natives scurry around, find the chief, huddle,