by Dave Jensen » Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:06 pm
There is truth in both of those statements. I'm more in line with the first one, the positive outlook, but there are definitely some big issues that are pointed out correctly in the negative viewpoint.
First off, YES, a big reason that companies use temp agencies is that they have a super-cheap fee involved for the permanent hire when it comes, AND they get to 'Try you out" first to see how you do. This is the best of both worlds. As a recruiter, if they came to me and they wanted a search done we'd find them what they are looking for and charge them 25% or so of the projected salary. And they WOULD NOT get a "look see" to determine if that person fits. So, there are companies who admittedly don't do anywhere near the due diligence on the "fit," who simply put people in front of them in these temporary jobs, and when the company finds one that works out, the fee is LESS THAN HALF that of the recruiting firm. SO - you can see why these companies are used! Its like the pet store that says, "You don't have to pay for that puppy today. Take him home and see how he acclimates with the kids. If you like him, come back and pay me later." What do you THINK is going to happen!!
But - there are negatives. First off, there are indeed crummy benefits. Or no benefits at all. And, once you are in that job for more than a year or two, people start to look at you as a "professional temp" and it is hard to get a job outside of the temp world (that's kind of an oxymoron, like "jumbo shrimp").
I don't really think that they are miserable, low end wages. I think they can be valuable stepping stones if you play your cards right. Just don't lull into a sense of security in a temp job. Just like being in a postdoc, it's a position that you should be constantly thinking of "getting OUT of."
Dave
"Failure is a bruise -- not a tattoo." -- Jon Sinclair