Temporary staffing agencies are serving a growing corporate customer base. The industry has experienced a steady growth rate, and by 1997, 2.5 million people were employed by temporary help agencies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that it will be one of the fastest growing industries through the year 2,000. The image of the temporary employee has long been that of the secretarial job, but that stereotype is very outdated. Today's temporary employee chooses from a wide range of technical and professional positions.
Jobs abound in the areas of computer programming, accountancy, public relations and nursing.
When you are pursuing a temporary help agency, be sure to ask for a list of clients the agency serves. If you have a specific position in mind regarding work in the media, law or medicine, for example, go with an agency that provides workers to a magazine, a law firm or hospital. Be sure to ask about any bonuses, raises, evaluations, rates of pay and health benefits. Many temp agencies do not offer health insurance, so you may have to locate and buy your own if necessary. Once you're actively working at an assignment, the best way to work your way up is to acquire new skills.