Tips for Temps

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I, for one, still feel nervous about finding a job when schooling is over. Having tried to break into the print industry after graduation, I've experienced how hard the job search can be. But I can also say that not giving up is completely worth it. If any of you face the least bit of resistance when you apply for jobs in the "real world," consider temping (especially if you are a PR major - this is the way to go). That being said, plan for the occasion. Interpersonal relationships, hierarchies, and office politics are just the tip of the corporate iceberg. Don't let that scare you. To do any project, all you need is some research (and a portion of moxy). This article, written for temp newbies, provides much-needed clues to survival at the bottom of the full-timers' totem pole. Maybe I've lost a little credibility in suggesting a Yahoo! article to you. So be it. Anne Altman knows what she's talking about. I've just got one suggestion:

Heed number 4 with a grain of salt. Sometimes, the notes you take might need to be accurate, regardless of who is or isn't watching you doodle in your notebook. Of all the notes I've taken, "KILL ME NOW" is the only phrase I remember...but it did not help when I got into some of my biggest jams. With that correction added, enjoy the tips, folks.

P.S. - It may not be what we want to hear, but sometimes temps are seen as equivalent to interns. If you're planning on doing an internship, this advice can apply to you, too, which is a good thing. Let's take the freebie of counseling while we can get it!