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Switching from Temp to Full Time
I have been Temping for the last 5 years, mostly because I left a toxic industry and compliance principal career I couldn't stand anymore, and relocated to a new city where I didn't know anyone, finding it difficult to get a job at a significantly junior title and salary - at First. Then it became difficult because I have been Temping for so long, and I'm in my mid-50's.
Now the resume would look like a total mess if I listed every place where I took a Temp assignment from 1 week to 6/7 months, and different Temp agencies I worked for. I have to pay bills, so took whatever came along.
I would love any suggestions on how to get out of this vicious circle now, how to make that resume and LinkedIn profile read like something employers would take seriously?
Any help would be truly appreciated!
Many thanks.
Rima
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11/17/20 at 4:55AM UTC
Thank you to Each and Every One of you who responded to my question. I truly appreciate that you all took the time to share your insights. Lots of good advice here; I now have some resume work to do this weekend!
I'm happy to connect with people who are interested in connecting on LinkedIn and to continue the conversation.
With gratitude,
Rima
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimalitke/
C HRecruiting & People Ops / HR - N. CA
169
11/17/20 at 4AM UTC (Edited)
First - I'd recommend switching from calling yourself a "temp" to "consultant". That's what you are, and it carries more value and weight.
Then, I would group all of the years of your temping assignments together, with your function. location and the dates, and a summary of your contributions/impact eg:
Senior Marketing Consultant, New York City, NY, 2010-2020
(via various staffing consultancies)
Acted as senior marketing consultant to various companies in the ___industry. Created demand generation for the __ teams, with dedicated focus on ____.
Highlights/impact:
-Generated 200k pieces direct mail with 2)% response rate over 6 months. Campaign generated X revenue for the company.
- Reduced costs to company X by Y
Make it clear in your summary section if you are looking for further consulting roles, or full time, eg "Senior Marketing Consultant looking for next full time opportunity with high-growth __ company in the __ industry" or whatever your goal is.
Rima
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11/17/20 at 4:48AM UTC
Thank you, CH, I was wondering if that's OK to use the term "consultant" in my situation. Before I left financial industry, my title was AVP, Compliance Consultant. I was a full time employee and the term "consultant" meant something different to that employer.
I appreciate your advice!
Cheers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimalitke/
Rosalina BanabanSr HR Manager in Seattle, WA
70
11/16/20 at 10:12PM UTC
First and foremost, I commend you, Rima, for switching out of a normal routine to something completely different. It is always scary to change the environment you've been so used to, but it clearly shows and stands out that you're ready for something new. I'm excited for you! Here are some of my recommendations:
- For your resume, I recommend including a cover letter. A cover letter really allows you to address the employer personally and it goes a long way when they see that you're willing to extend supplemental reasoning for why you're the one to choose.
- I would also include recommendation letters. If you have the contact information, I would reach out to the past assignments you've completed for a recommendation letter to include in the resume as well. That will help. You can also receive recommendation letters on LinkedIn and that's great because potential employers can quickly see them!
- I would highlight your most recent temp assignments, but ensure that they are also the most relevant to the positions you're applying for. I made a switch in career paths from Respiratory Therapist to Human Resources and while I kept my respiratory therapy intern positions on my resume in the beginning, as I continued my growth into the HR field, I removed the intern positions and only highlighted HR positions. Employers want to see what relevancy you have that can be transferred to the role they're seeking.
- For your LinkedIn, invest time in your Headline (part of the Intro section). The headline is the first line located under your name that people immediately see. You want to ensure it captures their attention so something like "5+ years Experienced Senior HR Professional Seeking Employment". Because it's your headline, it's normally a quick, creative, eye-capturing one-liner. Difficult, but necessary to grab at a quick attention.
Hopefully this helps and good luck!
Rima
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11/17/20 at 4:40AM UTC
Thank you, Rosalina! Respiratory Therapist to HR - wow, what a switch! I command You for finding what you're called to do and following that path!
I appreciate your advice. I think that whole first section on my LinkedIn profile probably needs to be re-written. I wrote it to explain why I was looking for more junior roles and was ready for the switch. Time to tweak it.
Thanks again!
Cheers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimalitke/
KimmieFHReach your goals through positive connections
797
11/16/20 at 9:32PM UTC
Firstly I would start by adding/editing an objective on your cover letter to say "To bring the many skills I developed as a contracted employee across various industries to a role where I can __ for a company that __" (Fill in the blanks with what you would like to focus on and what you would want to company you join to be like.) This turns what you may be viewing as a negative to a positive! You may have less experience in one place, but you bring a wide range of experiences that are valuable. It could be just what a company needs.
Then, I would follow Tania's advice and separate by temp agencies but under each, highlight experiences you had that best fit the role you are applying to. You may need to switch this up a lot as you apply to different places, that's okay! Actually, it's expected. It's a lot of work but you're more likely to get a call back.
So for example, if you are applying for a customer service role, list your service accomplishments. Even if the role did not directly work with customers, if you had a role where you collected data on service scores or anything along those lines, include that you assisted on a project analyzing service scores for improved service.
Hopefully that makes sense and you can apply that to what you have. Remember that you bring a lot of value. Good luck!
Rima
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11/17/20 at 4:32AM UTC
Thank you so much! Yes, Kimmie, this makes sense. I always write a cover letter... I love the verbiage you used :-) definitely will keep it.
Cheers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimalitke/
Mimi BishopBiz+Career Coach for Modern Gen X Women
1.33k
11/17/20 at 10:16AM UTC
Rima -- first I want to truly applaud you for your commitment to your work, positive attitude and the level of commitment you have to making this all work. It makes you stand out!
KimmieFH and the others on this thread gave you terrific advice.
I'd like to add on to what Kimmie mentioned. My recommendation is to position yourself so that you are using your strengths and accomplishments to tell a story that adds value to the potential employer.
One of the ways to do that is to work on your personal brand. I know that may sound trendy -- but it's a good tool to make you really be memorable in the eyes of the potential employer.
I work with Gen X women who struggle with the exact issue you're having and they have found this free guide called The Brand of You Creative Brief very helpful.
Here is the link if it could be of use for you too. (Just cut and paste into your browser)
https://bit.ly/2xlkuOr
I will connect with you over on LinkedIn as well.
Best of luck here!
Cate McCarthyMulti-Potentiate Changing Lives
218
11/16/20 at 8:05PM UTC
I have been there myself as a temp for so many years I lost count. To get around the issue you describe, I listed my temp work as "contracting" on my resume and made it appear as self-employment - underneath the heading of self-employment I listed the companies as follows:
ABC Bridal and Bait Shop (XYZ Employment Services Contractor) - then added job title and transferable skills.
This might seem disingenuous but the reality is that you only work for any agency for the duration of the assignment - they do not consider you permanent to them and any other time you are a "free agent" looking for your next gig. The only reason the company needs the agency name is for a background check.
Rima
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11/17/20 at 4:25AM UTC
Thank you so much, Cate! This is sort of how I now list it on LinkedIn. If you have the time and feel up to it, please take a look and dell me if this is kind of what you're describing or if you would still list the name of each company where you worked - That would be a page in itself for me now.... https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimalitke/
And of course - I'm happy to connect!
Tania Lyon
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11/16/20 at 6:17PM UTC
Can you name the temp agency and then present a list of "highlighted positions" with 6-12 of the most interesting titles and locations? And/or a list of the more challenging functions you took on? Think of it as a descriptive section of your resume and not a chronology.
Rima
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11/16/20 at 6:37PM UTC
Thank you, Tania. That is a good advice and would have worked when I was temping in NYC, working primarily with One agency which kept me busy as much as I wanted to work and whenever I didn't travel.
This time its very different. I've been working with about 8 agencies, not consecutive assignments from any of them either. The "feel" of temping is very different in that the agencies don't seem to build a relationship with a Temp in the way they do with the companies they send temps to. I don't know if that's a sign of the times, place or both.
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