In fact, you can probably be listed in a temporary firm's database by completing a test to determine your skill level and providing your name, address, phone number, preferred fee per hour and availability. You also can send a cover letter and resume and follow up by phone. If you decide to initiate contact in writing, find out in advance which skills and experience the firm's clients need most, then tailor your correspondence to match.
Since the firms are constantly filling temporary positions, applicants have about a 50 percent chance of being hired, according to Ms. Freeman. You can increase the likelihood of gaining temporary employment by registering with several agencies simultaneously.
In the past few years, the role of temporary agencies has evolved far beyond its stereotype. Four major trends are transforming the industry and increasing employment opportunities for job seekers:
More companies are using a temporary-to-permanent approach to fill job openings. To avoid the costs and legal problems involved with terminating employees who don't work out, many employers pay temporary agency fees and evaluate new hires for several months instead of placing them on the permanent payroll immediately. This method cuts unemployment expenses, allows more flexibility and saves face for everyone if the situation doesn't work. It also makes temp work a more likely source of permanent jobs than in the past.
While the term seems contradictory, many employers are arranging for work to be performed on a long-term temporary basis. This helps them to maintain flexible staffs that don't have to be hired and fired as business ebbs and flows. Since benefits aren't provided, this approach helps keep overhead low. Remember this method if you apply for temporary work. If you don't want to be a long-term temporary, mention it in your cover letter along with your preferred fee per hour and work schedule.
Many temporary firms are doing outsourcing work for corporations that want to reduce the number of employees not involved in their core business. For instance, functions such as delivering internal mail, making copies, bookkeeping, running MIS, training and recruiting may be delegated to temporary agencies that take over the staffing and payroll for these areas. If you send a cover letter and resume to a temp firm, don't be surprised if you're offered a permanent position working directly for the agency instead of one of its clients.
Corporate interest in using high-level candidates for short-term projects has increased significantly. By putting highly compensated professionals on the payroll only as needed, a companies can cut overhead. The firm also can "try out" an executive before making the decision to bring him on board. This new recruiting function calls for candidates who aren't accustomed to pursuing temporary employment. If you are a CFO, VP of marketing, director of human resources or have other high- level executive experience, you may want to research "interim executive" firms that specialize in placing people like you.
The manufacturing executive who wrote the following cover letter is a prime candidate for a project or temp-to-perm position available through an interim firm. His resume is included since it provides an understanding of his excellent qualifications and lengthy experience. If he began his career in 1955, he's currently in his 60s. Even though age discrimination is illegal, his age will make it hard for him to find a permanent management position with a new employer. On the other hand, his many years of experience make him a great candidate for a consulting assignment. If he starts as an independent contractor and dazzles the executive committee with his uncanny solutions to intractable problems, he may be offered a permanent job or, at least, another assignment to keep him on board.
Cover Letter and Resume for a Temporary Agency
DAVID C. PALMER
13204 Coronado Court
Manassas, Virginia 22111
804-763-2301
5 May 199X
Ms. Elaine Preminger
ChemSearch, Inc.
20348 Rockefeller Center Drive
New York, NY 10020
Dear Ms. Preminger:
Do you have opportunities for a mature professional with nearly 40 years of successful management experience? Your recent Wall Street Journal advertisement indicates you may have clients who could use my expertise.
I built on my chemistry degree with assignments in manufacturing, pharmaceutical, household and personal products. I designed and installed blending and packaging systems and trained key employees on these systems, resulting in an 18 percent improvement in average output. I also formulated numerous successful products.
I upgraded laboratory staff, streamlined procedures, and developed new analytical methods for better process control, which allowed a nearly 50 percent reduction in laboratory staff. 1 led employees in analyzing work flow and designing their stations for maximum efficiency, which reduced compounding waste nearly 60 percent. I converted manual scheduling systems to PC-based forecasting and scheduling programs and negotiated and managed manufacturing contracts, resulting in a 25 percent savings in product costs.
During my career, I have prepared and published manufacturing specifications, quality assurance manuals, HAZCOM handbooks, and hundreds of technical articles in trade and consumer publications, and edited SAE papers, technical brochures, and advertising copy.
This varied experience qualifies me to coordinate operations and technical support for small or medium-size companies. I can be valuable to those firms that need expertise in several technical areas without hiring specialists for each. I have a good understanding of process and product optimization. My operations, QA, and sales experience strengthen my interaction with team members at all levels of management. I am dedicated to producing top quality white maintaining profitability.
I moved to Virginia after completing a consulting assignment in Boston last September. I am seeking opportunities in the Southeast to put my skills to productive use. May I put them to work for your clients?
Sincerely,
David C. Palmer
DAVID C. PALMER
13204 Coronado Court
Manassas, Virginia 22111
804-763-2301
A broad-based, well-balanced career encompassing technical and operations management . . , a strong manager and skilled communicator experienced in product formulation, packaging operations, and quality assurance . . . seeking to apply my expertise in manufacturing quality products through . . .
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
D. C. Palmer & Associates, Ltd. 1995-
Contract Management, Consulting and Technical Writing
The Recovery Group 1994
Bankruptcy Trustee for Piedmont Molecular Corporation
Consultant
- Maintained PMC operations and accounts
- Advised Trustee on PMC technology
Developer and Manufacturer of fuel additives
Director of Technical Services; Director of Public Relations
- Directed manufacture of PMC's products
- Developed cost analyses and pricing schedules
- Prepared technical literature, brochures, annual reports, newsletters, and SAE papers
- Assisted sales force with customer's technical questions
- Negotiated motorsports sponsorships; represented the Company at motorsport events and trade shows
- Prepared and published Company Quality Assurance manual
- Prepared and published Company HAZCOM manual
- Maintained mixed Macintosh and DOS PC computer network
Contract packager of automotive products and adhesives
Director of Technical Services
- Designed a $2.5 MM highly flexible sanitary XP emulsion blending system, bulk storage facility, and accessory tanks and equipment
- Earned a Ford Q rating and established XI as a Ford vendor
- Prepared and published Company Quality Assurance manual
- Prepared and published Company FHAZCOM manual
- Converted from a manual scheduling system to PC-based forecasting and scheduling programs.
- Assisted sales increase from $4.8 MM to $16MM in 3 years
- Supervised disposal of hazardous waste materials
Barr Company 1975-1982
Manufacturer of household and cosmetic products
Sales Manager 1980-1982
- Developed new business accounting for 33% of sales volume
- Maintained accounts in excess of $1 50 million annually
- Installed a $2.5MM production system on time and under budget
- Trained key employees in start-up and troubleshooting this new production system. Output reached 70,000 units per shift, twice the original projection
- Supervised 250 people manufacturing 80 products in runs from 50,000 to 12,000,000 units annually
- Increased output per shift by 1 8% while reducing average down-time by 1 5%
- Reduced compounding waste by over 60%
- Reduced laboratory staff 50% while improving quality standards
- Supervised 2 compounding and 4 laboratory personnel
Contract manufacturer of household and cosmetic products
Technical Director
- Supervised 6 laboratory personnel
- Developed several new aerosol propellant systems
Contract manufacturer of household and cosmetic products
Peterson Filling and Packaging Corporation 1958-1961
Contract manufacturer of household and cosmetic products
Allied Chemical Corporation 1955-1958
Basic chemical manufacturer
B. A. Chemistry University of Pennsylvania 1955
Additional Studies: William and Mary Purdue University
Oakland University Washington University
SUMMARY
My experience includes steadily increasing responsibility in operations and support management. In meeting a wide range of challenges, I developed market awareness, product knowledge, personnel perspectives, and communications skills which contributed to my growth. Let me put these skills to work for you.
