Those Who Work for Temp Agencies...

annamc18
annamc18 Posts: 198 Member
in Chit-Chat
I would like to get your opinion of how you like working for a temp agency.

My boyfriend is a welder/fabricator (jack of all trades really) but currently works for my family hydraulic repair busiess (well - sorta family business...my step grandpa owns, my dad is VP, his dad was GM before he retired) but the jobs there are sometimes scarce and we find ourselves in a position like NOW - there are no jobs or things are still waiting for parts or to be approved, and he will have NO work today and tomorrow. Monday was a half day, and since he gets paid every week - so far all he will have on the paycheck is 1.5 days

SUPER ****TY

Anyways, he is currently going to school to finish the last test of his GED & I was thinking after he completes that, maybe he should look into working for a temp agency. From what I know, there are several types of jobs that he would be able to do, I feel like we would make the same if not better money with him working at a place like that.

I just don't know how the process works, how they pay you and still get their % of it, if you get to stay at a company if they end up really liking you, etc.

Please help! Thanks!

Replies

  • annamc18
    annamc18 Posts: 198 Member
    BUMP
  • Il_DaniD_lI
    Il_DaniD_lI Posts: 1,593 Member
    I started working for a temp agency 4 years ago. They actually found my resume online, contacted me, had me take some computer tests and set me up with a temporary Government Job. I was hired by the Government Agency full time after 6 months and no longer work though the temp agency (still work for the Government today).

    I didn't mind working through the temp agency for the first 6 months. They paid me directly, and my employer paid them a monthly fee, it didn't come off of my pay cheque.

    Temp agencies are great because they look at your skills, experience, etc and set you up with a job best suited for you.

    Also I'm in Canada, so things may be different where you are.
  • hikezilla
    hikezilla Posts: 174 Member
    After he gets his GED finished, he might consider looking into the US Navy. They are always in need of good welders, and the training he'd get there is free of charge and lasts a lifetime.
  • mommared53
    mommared53 Posts: 9,543 Member
    A temp agency is a great way to go. I've gotten full time jobs as a result of temp agencies. When you start a job through a temp agency, you are actually emplyed by the temp agency and are paid by them. If the company you are working at decides they want to hire you full time, then you become an employee of the company and are paid by the company and the temp agency is not longer involved. I'm currently working with temp agencies right now trying to find a job after losing my job of 11 1/2 years.

    Good luck to your boyfriend.
  • annamc18
    annamc18 Posts: 198 Member
    Thanks you guys!

    He's got good training actually - he's been welding for over 13 years (he's only 28), and he also knows all about big machinery and stuff so I am sure he'll be able to find a good "hands on", industrial type of work pretty frequently.

    I didn't realize though that the temp agency didn't take any out of your own paycheck so that's good to know.

    I appreciate it & if anyone else has any other good advice - it's still welcome on here!
  • annamc18
    annamc18 Posts: 198 Member
    OH another question -

    He knows welding and all the other stuff but isn't certified - do you think that even though he could do the job better than another, less experienced person, that they would throw him to the curb or you think they look purely at skill level & quality of work?
  • cristileigh
    cristileigh Posts: 158 Member
    I was a temp working for Kelly Services at Lockheed Martin (Defense Contractor) for a year and started applying within and I was hired on full time 10 years ago this coming August.
  • cristileigh
    cristileigh Posts: 158 Member
    OH another question -

    He knows welding and all the other stuff but isn't certified - do you think that even though he could do the job better than another, less experienced person, that they would throw him to the curb or you think they look purely at skill level & quality of work?

    I don't know what area you live in... but Welders - certified or not - are in HIGH DEMAND in the DFW Metroplex (Texas)
  • LHAMON2009
    LHAMON2009 Posts: 55
    I currently am using a temp agency and have worked a few temp jobs, I think it is wonderful they usually can find more oportunities for work that what we can find looking on our own.
  • cristileigh
    cristileigh Posts: 158 Member
    After he gets his GED finished, he might consider looking into the US Navy. They are always in need of good welders, and the training he'd get there is free of charge and lasts a lifetime.

    Excellent Choice!
  • annamc18
    annamc18 Posts: 198 Member
    OH another question -

    He knows welding and all the other stuff but isn't certified - do you think that even though he could do the job better than another, less experienced person, that they would throw him to the curb or you think they look purely at skill level & quality of work?

    I don't know what area you live in... but Welders - certified or not - are in HIGH DEMAND in the DFW Metroplex (Texas)

    I'm located in GA - around atlanta area. There are a lot of industrial type jobs here but they never specifically say welder or the place is only interested in certified welders. I think useing the temp agency would be helpful still, at least he could get his foot in the door and have a chance to prove to them he know's what he's doing.
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    I worked for a temp agency when my kids were small. I worked for them for about 8 years. I really enjoyed it. If you are a reliable worker, you will be busy. I actually plan on returning to temp in a few years. We own our own seasonal business. The plan is to run the business in the summer and work temp in the winter.
  • cmp04d
    cmp04d Posts: 59 Member
    I'm actually working through a temp agency now. They found my resume online and contacted me. They were able to set me up with my current job, and it's the best job I've ever had. The agency pays me directly and the company pays the agency a fee, nothing comes out of my pay. The agency I work with also offers benefits (really good benefits, better than any I've had before) and paid time off. Honestly, finding my agency is one of the best things that has happened to me.
  • tkcasta
    tkcasta Posts: 405 Member
    Temp agencies are great. I worked for Kelly, went from temp to hire. My sister did the same (in multiple cities). Really great way to go.
  • jplord
    jplord Posts: 510 Member
    I have been employed by Temp agencies and I have used temp agencies to hire temp staff. Some temp agencies can be bozos but for the most part they are professional head hunters finding jobs for you to do.

    The rub is: for them to make money it has to be a job lasting months. If you want to "fill your dance card" with as much work as possible, I would (in addition to going to a temp agency to sign up) sign up at any welding shop of fabrication shop of anything that might have work for you as a temp - as a 1099 IRS employee. You may only get a half a day here or there, but you are introducing yourself to a LOT of companies and being flexible to fill their needs. That will help you get a more permanent job down the road. Just be sure to let the temp agency know who you signed up with.


    Remember to get a job, you don't ask the employer to help solve your job problem, you figure out how you can solve their problem!

    Good luck
  • annamc18
    annamc18 Posts: 198 Member
    I worked for a temp agency when my kids were small. I worked for them for about 8 years. I really enjoyed it. If you are a reliable worker, you will be busy. I actually plan on returning to temp in a few years. We own our own seasonal business. The plan is to run the business in the summer and work temp in the winter.

    Thats awesome!

    Ultimately, we'd like to get him his own equipment (not small tools and stuff, the BIG stuff like the actual welder, truck, etc) and start up our own small business with it. We just don't have the money to get all of it right now and its something we'd have to do a lot more planning in order for it to work lol.

    But even if we were able to do that and things didn't quite work out or they are slow at least he could work for the temp agency when he is able, and the other time we could be making our own money.
  • annamc18
    annamc18 Posts: 198 Member

    The rub is: for them to make money it has to be a job lasting months. If you want to "fill your dance card" with as much work as possible, I would (in addition to going to a temp agency to sign up) sign up at any welding shop of fabrication shop of anything that might have work for you as a temp - as a 1099 IRS employee. You may only get a half a day here or there, but you are introducing yourself to a LOT of companies and being flexible to fill their needs. That will help you get a more permanent job down the road. Just be sure to let the temp agency know who you signed up with.

    Thats a great idea & you're right - that would introduce him to a lot of people he could potentially do work for!
  • LadyBuell
    LadyBuell Posts: 164
    Almost every time I have work for a temp agency it has led to a full time job. My current job being one of them. When I was looking for a job I had applied for a job that would have been contract for 10 months and therefore they didn't want to actually hire so they were using a temp agency. I had to sign up with that temp agency just to get an interview. I didn't get the job.

    I had also applied with the IRS. That job I got but with all the training and background checks and blah, blah, blah the job wasn't going to start for another 3 weeks. In the meantime that agency called and said they had an assignment if I wanted it. I figured what the h*ll, at least it will get some money coming in a little sooner. By the end of the first week the temp job was asking what they had to do to keep me from going to the IRS. I said pay me more (of course). And they did. I had to finish out my 90 days with the temp agency but after that they put me on contract (no benefits). After another year and a half I was finally offered a full time (with benefits) position. BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE. I am still here almost 8 years later and I love my job.

    The temp agency doesn't "officially" take money out of your check but they also don't pay you what the company pays them. I was making $12 an hour and the company was paying the temp agency $15. So "technically" they were taking $3 an hour out of my check. But whatever, they have to make money too.

    If I ever find myself in the position of having to find another job, I will definitely go back to temp. I love the flexibility and variety.
  • Meaganandcheese
    Meaganandcheese Posts: 525 Member
    I worked in staffing for 3 years, but never on the light industrial side that your boyfriend would qualify for. He should call an agency in the area and talk to them - they will answer all of his questions and talk to him about any positions they have.

    The candidate never pays the fees. The client pays the agency and an hourly wage is part of it.
  • annamc18
    annamc18 Posts: 198 Member
    Thanks so much - you guys are awesome!
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    If he wants to weld, he needs his welding certification. You will have a hard time finding a shop that would hire him without it, over someone who does.
  • annamc18
    annamc18 Posts: 198 Member
    If he wants to weld, he needs his welding certification. You will have a hard time finding a shop that would hire him without it, over someone who does.

    Oh, trust me, he's getting that certification after he gets done with the GED. I just know it would be a while, so I wasnt sure if temp agencies would even hire ppl like him without one. I think it'd the the best option until he has his certification - I agree most places would chose a certified person over a non-certified person purely based on that sheet of paper and not on quality of work and skill level.

    Its a shame though, I am sure there are many people out there that are very skilled but they are looked over all because of some stupid sheet of paper...oh well, im done ranting lol

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