More than a stopgap

Straight into work? Sylvia Arthur sets out ten ways for graduates to succeed at temping

If, like more than a quarter of finalists, you're planning to go straight into temporary work after graduation, then knowledge of a few rules of the game could enable you to gain the maximum benefit. "The best thing to do is to look at it as an opportunity rather than a stopgap," advises Sonia Hodges, operations manager of Reed Graduates. Try following these ten tips to get the most out of your temping experience.

1. Look for an agency that specialises in the kind of work you'd like to do.

"More people are choosing to temp after university as an opportunity to find out what they want to do," says Sonia. "The more work experience you have, the more competitive you'll be." Most agencies specialise in an industry or sector. Look at the classified pages of relevant trade magazines for your chosen sector. Compile a list of agencies and go through them one by one.

2. Know what you want and let your agency know.

Be specific about the kind of work you're looking for and what you will and won't do. Don't be bullied into accepting a job you don't really want because your agency wants to make a sale. Let your agency work for you.

3. Don't underestimate your worth.

Don't think that because you're a temp you should be paid less than the going rate for the permanent job. Negotiate your pay with your agency. Despite what they may claim, they may be in a position to tweak their commission and offer you more.

4. Learn how to work the agencies.

Remember that recruitment agencies are in the business of selling. The more clients they place, the more commission they get. Don't be afraid to let agency Y know that you're being paid X amount more by agency Z for the same job they are trying to sell you.

5. Work through one agency.

Register with as many agencies as possible but try and build a relationship with one or two that have found you regular work. Keep in contact with your chosen few and call in at least once a week to find out what jobs are going. "The most important thing is to get to know your consultant so that when a vacancy comes up they'll think of you and put you forward," says Sonia.

6. Go for a number of mid-term placements within the same sector.

Before you know it, you'll have built up a useful portfolio of experience and contacts and your CV will look much better with three mid-term jobs rather than six short-term ones. It's easier to convince an employer of your employability if you can show that you've stuck at something for a reasonable period of time.

7. Make sure each job enhances your skills base.

"See it as an opportunity to develop your skills so that you can sell these new abilities to other employers," Sonia advises. This should be a combination of soft transferable skills, like time management and adaptability and hard skills like knowing how to use a specialised computer package.

8. Get a job description.

Permanent staff may be tempted to use you as a general dogsbody and have you do everything from the filing and faxing to the three times a day tea run.

Don't do it! Insist on a job description before or at the start of a placement so you know what you're there for. Don't be afraid to remind a boss who insists on treating you like a permanent staff member without the benefits that you're a temp. Remember, you work for your agency, not the company.

9. Work your way up.

Increase your pay with each new placement. As you become more skilled you should be in a position to command more cash. Remember to put money away. "Temping is dependent on market conditions," warns Sonia. "It can't always be relied upon that if you finish one booking you can walk in to another one on the following Monday."

10. Seize the day!

A temporary placement through an agency at your dream company could turn out to be a foot in the door to an elusive permanent job. "Most companies advertise positions internally first and usually as a temp you're able to go for these roles," says Sonia. This is your chance to sell yourself, make yourself indispensable and secure yourself your own desk space and maybe even a plaque on the door - permanently.

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