Career temps are enjoying great opportunities ….
”The stereotypical temp is underpaid and overworked; an anonymous drudge who dreams of monthly salary cheques as he or she attacks a mountain of long-overdue filing,” writes Virginia Matthews.
But a growing number of workers now see temping as a career in its own right, according to research from Gordon Yates.
To keep the best career temps, companies and even agencies are offering perks such as season ticket loans and travel expenses.
Flexibility is the attraction for many temps who combine office careers with jobs such as writing, acting or singing. Chloe Newsome, for example, who played Coronation Street's Vicky McDonald in the mid-90s, now combines theatre work with temping
"If you are a temp who is prepared to constantly upskill and even create a brand identity for yourself in a particular market where skills are in short supply, you will find that your currency is very high among employers and agencies," says Richard Grace, joint managing director of Gordon Yates.
"For highly motivated temps who are able to bring exceptional PowerPoint, Excel or general IT skills to a firm that has an urgent presentation to prepare, or a new website to grapple with, then the pay will be higher than permanent rates and the projects may be far more stimulating."
Gordon Yates’ figures suggest that temps are typically paid £12.50 per hour. On 35 hours a week this equates to an annual salary of around £20,650.
But for temps who have "cornered the market in some way or have even built themselves up as a brand," says Grace, £18 per hour is "perfectly achievable in today's market, provided they have a good relationship with their agency."
Gordon Yates’ research suggests that 77% of firms used temps in 2007 and one third are using temps more often. This means great opportunities for career temps to secure a prestigious short-term project or a top full-time job.
Adapted from “Permanently Temporary” by Virginia Matthews
Office Hours, the Guardian, 3 December 2007
