If you know anything about temp work, you know that one of the biggest advantages to it is its flexibility. Not just in accepting/declining positions, but on the day-to-day basis. Because your position is “temporary,” granted there will be some routine tasks, your assignments tend to vary and while some days can be hectic, other days can be rather, open.
So what do you do with the extra time?
If there is nothing pressing on an assignment or you’ve completed everything that can physically be done for that day, make the time yours. Here are some ideas:
- Learn the ins and outs of the particular software, social media, etc. your company uses. Become extremely knowledgeable so you can put it on your resume and add to your skillset, which widens your range of jobs you can obtain in the future.
- Read the office literature—learn more about the origin of the company you work for. It will give you a better understanding of why the company runs the way it does and help you to provide higher quality work. You’ll also be able to answer questions, like a permanent employee, which will be impressive to your higher ups.
- Take advantage of classes or programs offered through the company. Sometimes large companies have ongoing in-house programs in computer or interpersonal skills. The same businesses often have fitness centers with exercise equipment, weight rooms, or aerobics classes for the employees.
- Job-hunt. If you're looking for permanent work, a temporary situation can offer the time and resources needed for sprucing up your resume and cover letter and sending out emails.
- Work on a personal project. This can be especially helpful for creatives—finish writing a song, editing a blog post, coming up with a new routine for your start-up fitness company, whatever contributes to your future.
- Take a break. This can mean taking a moment to reflect on your week or simply to taking a moment to quiet the mind and focus on just breathing.
- *Travel. This one requires more explanation. If you are an in-house temp worker, then this is not applicable. However, if you take a temp job or have a string of assignments that don’t have to be completed in-house, it is a great opportunity to take that trip you’ve been wanting, without sacrificing payment—enjoy some new sights AND get paid? Not a bad deal.
By no means does this article promote ignorance of the tasks at hand or laziness in the work place—the opposite. It is saying that “if” and “when” there is idle time between the assignments given to you, you fill that time with something other than pretending to look busy. The key is to always be resourceful and productive, and if you can manage your daily work load and then some, THAT is working to your advantage.
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