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Handling Illegal Interview Questions

Jim, 48, is sitting in an interview, which has been going well. He’s confident that his qualifications match those of the position, and he believes he’ll fit into the corporate culture. As the interview is winding down, the interviewer casually asks: “Will your family mind the relocation from New York to Texas?”

How should Jim answer this question?

There are several questions that employers may not legally ask applicants. Federal law attempts to ensure that candidates are hired on job qualifications and not by prejudicial criteria. Questions structured to obtain information on race, gender, religion, marital status, age, physical and/or mental status, ethnic background, country of origin, sexual preference, or any other discriminatory factor are generally illegal as grounds for making employment decisions.

With few exceptions, these factors contribute nothing to your ability to perform a job, and an employer must substantiate those cases where a direct relationship is thought to exist.

Anything that is not a bona fide occupational qualification may not be covered directly, although the interviewer may seek the information indirectly.

So, how do you handle an illegal interview question?

First it is important to assess the intentions of the interviewer.

Most illegal interview questions are asked in true innocence — or, better stated, in true ignorance: ignorance of the law, ignorance of what questions are proper, and ignorance of how the information could be used by others in a discriminatory way.

Ironically, most illegal questions are asked when the untrained interviewer is trying to be friendly and asks a seemingly innocent question about your personal life or family background.

Therefore, any attempt by the candidate to assert his or her constitutional rights will merely throw up the defense shields and put an end to any future consideration for employment. Warning lights go on, sirens sound, and the interviewer begins backing down from what otherwise may have been a very encouraging position.

So what is the proper response?

Any response depends on the particular situation and the personalities and motives of those involved, but overall you have three basic options:

(1) Answer truthfully if you feel your response will not hurt you;

(2) Inform the interviewer that the question is illegal and risk offending them and ending your chances for the position;

(3) Base your answer on the requirements of the job and your ability to perform it.
Here are a few examples of casually asked illegal questions and suggested responses:
Q: Does your family mind the travel required for this position?

A: I am accustomed to significant business travel. In fact, I find being on the road invigorating, and my track record has been very consistent under these conditions.

Q: Are you religious? Will your religion prevent you from working extra hours or on weekends when we have a big project?

A: I suppose everyone is religious in their own way. I do not foresee any circumstances that would interfere with the quality or commitment of my performance.

Q: You have a very unusual last name. What is its origin?

A: It really is a mouthful, isn’t it? I’ve always used my first name and last initial in my business e-mail address, as it is easier.

Q: Are you planning a family in the near future?

A: Currently, I am focused on my career and although having a family is always a possibility, it is not a priority at the moment.

Q: How many more years do you see yourself in the work force (before retiring)?

A: In today’s world people don’t retire like they used to; some can’t. My career and my need to earn an income are priorities that I do not foresee changing in the near future.

How you choose to handle these types of questions depends on the perceived motivation of the interviewer as well as your desire to have the position. However, no matter how badly you want or need a position, always keep in mind that if a company is capable of asking illegal questions before you are an employee, there is a greater potential for mistreatment after you are hired.

Your best bet is to try and keep the interview focused on the qualifications of the position and your qualifications as a candidate.

Blatant discrimination does take place. If it does and you are offended, you have the right to end the interview immediately (“I don’t think we’re a good match. Thank you for your time.”) — You never wanted to work there in the first place!

So, how did Jim in our example above answer the question? He could have said, “It’s none of your concern,” which likely would have quickly ended a promising interview.

But Jim thought about the underlying intent of the company in asking the question, which was “Will relocating an employee who likely has a family be so troublesome that he/she will be unproductive for months?” Considering that, he might have responded, “My family and I are committed to my career, so relocation is absolutely not a problem.”

But Jim’s family of five was used to moving every several years because of his ascending career, so Jim responded: “I’ve moved my family every three years, and they always consider it a great adventure. I’ve talked to them about the possibility of this move, and they’re very excited.”

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How to climb the ladder you have created for your career

How do you advocate for your career in today’s workforce?

Simple. Own your success instead of having it predetermined for you.

Katrina Brittingham, Chief Resume Writer & Career Coach at VentureReady LLC provides some tips on how to climb the ladder you have created for your career.

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Resumes Win Interviews, References Win Job Offers

Inquiring minds want to know, and no minds are more inquiring than those about to hire you. Rest assured, you will be investigated. As a rule of thumb, the better the job and the higher the pay, the tougher the screening process. If you are up for a good job at a visible company, your references and past employers will be checked in great detail. Your list of references is simply the beginning of the investigation a prospective employer will conduct.

When a prospective employer has completed the first round of interviews and you are among the top candidates, its next logical step is to check your references and interview those individuals to whom you reported. Are you certain these individuals will seal the deal for you, or will they blow it away? If you are like most people, you probably haven’t given your references much thought. Instead, you have focused on your resume, interviewing skills, networking, and what to wear to the interview. Now the focus shifts.

Your biggest concern should be the quality of your references and recommendations from past employers, because they can make or break your chances. About half of all references that get checked range from mediocre to poor, so it is very possible that the great job you lost out on at the last moment had nothing to do with your skill level. It could have had more to do with what a reference or past employer said about you. So, if you are concerned that someone, somewhere, might be giving you a bum rap, you are probably right. That’s a frightening scenario when your livelihood is at stake.

Here is a sampling of the damaging comments HR people and line managers hear when they check references:

  • “Our company policy prohibits us saying anything. We can only verify dates of employment and title.” Then the reference goes on to say something like, “Check his references very, very carefully.”
  • “Are you certain he gave my name as a reference?”
  • “After we settle our lawsuit…”
  • “Let me see what the paperwork says I am able to give out regarding _______.”
  • “Is he still in this field?”

References and past employers won’t call and warn you that they are not going to be complimentary. The reference situation is ever changing and therefore very volatile because of shifting company policies (not that many employees choose to follow them anyway), new employees in HR departments, new laws governing references, and company liability for giving references.

You are well advised to take more control of your career momentum by finding out what every potential reference will say about you. If the odds hold, as they will, those references will range from stellar to negative; yet when you know what someone is going to say about you, you can pass on your best references with greater confidence. You will also have the opportunity to stop references from saying things that are not true or inaccurate.

Increasing Your Chances of a Good Reference. Here are some general rules of thumb to maximize the tone and accuracy of your references.

  1. Make sure your records are correct. Occasionally an interviewee looks bad because his former HR department did not have the same job date and title information in his file as he did on his resume. Data entry or communications errors are not unusual, so check with your HR department to ensure that their records correspond to yours. Conflicting data will be perceived as a big negative to a prospective employer.
  2. Maintain active and positive relationships with your references. Stay in touch over the phone or over coffee. Keep the reference up-to-date about your progress, and make sure you have the most up-to-date information about them. If the reference’s title (or name) has changed, or if they’ve left their position and you’ve provided old information to the prospective employer, it doesn’t look good.
  3. Advise a reference about an important opportunity. To avoid burning out your references, you don’t need to call about every single job opportunity. However, if a particular position is very important to you, call the reference and give them details about what the company may be looking for.
  4. Know reporting relationships. Even though you’ve given the senior vice president’s name as a reference, the prospective employer may resort to calling the director you reported to because she can’t reach the senior VP. Even though you have not given that person’s name as a reference, it is on the application that you probably filled out. You may want to advise your former boss about the potential for a reference check and explain what the company is looking for.
  5. Know your company’s policy. Although federal law restricts reference information, some states now allow more extensive disclosure. Know which regulations and policies govern your company. In addition, be aware that some employees will break company policy. Make sure that works in your favor by checking with references to gain an understanding of what they might say.
  6. Don’t rely on relatives or letters of recommendation. You are well advised not to let Uncle John regale a prospective employer about your antics as a youth. Also, although letters of recommendation can be helpful, information such as titles and even names can change over time. Make sure that the information on your letter of recommendation is correct by contacting the reference periodically.
  7. Use a reference-checking service. If you want help in providing good references or if you find that you are losing too many opportunities after several interviews with an organization, you might want to commission a professional reference-checking service. Check to ensure that the service has the professional and legal personnel that can develop a strategic use of your references. Typical service fees range from $59 to $99 per reference checked, depending on level of job position being sought.
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The Value of the Written Word

Thank You Letters

As kids we were taught to write thank you notes whenever someone did something nice for us. Today, thank you notes seem to be a thing of the past. In a job search they can separate you from the rest.

Your resume distinguished you from your competition. Now you need to narrow the playing field even more by writing a thank you note for the interview. Send a slightly different one to everyone you interviewed with. It does not have to be long.

Tell the recipient how much you enjoyed meeting him or her. Comment on something you learned at the interview and end it by telling them that you would really like to be on their team. This can, also, be an opportunity to clarify something from the interview or a chance to mention your strengths again.

Mail it within 24 hours after the interview. If the company has corresponded with you primarily via email then send a quick note via email when you get home from the interview. Also, send a longer version via snail mail.

 

Letters of Resignation

Always submit a letter of resignation.

Deliver it the same day that you verbally inform your boss that you will be leaving. It will document the fact that you are leaving and verify that you did, in fact, notify your employer well ahead of time. Date the letter of resignation and give the exact date of your last day at work there. Say nice things about the company and thank them for the opportunities you received there. This is not the time to vent anger and hostility. You may need them as a reference in the future. Send it directly to your boss but also send a copy to your personnel department.

 

Networking Letters

They say that at least 60% of all U.S. job openings are not advertised. They are filled through personal contacts. If you substitute the word TALKING for NETWORKING you might feel better about the prospect of doing it. Those job are what is called the hidden job market.

The purpose of a networking letter is not to ask friends and colleagues for a job but to ask for their help in finding a job for you through their connections. Just about everyone is eligible to receive a networking letter from you. Make the letter as brief as possible. Don’t waste the reader’s time. Get right to the point. Don’t leave the reader guessing.

If the letter is going to someone you do not know well then by all means refresh their memory. If you met them at a conference or a lecture or some association function remind them where you met.

If you know the recipient well, then get right to the point. Tell them that you are about to be downsized and what position you are looking for.

Tell the reader some of your strengths such as increasing revenues, expanding production, building new facilities, whatever they are. Come right out and ask them for leads. That is what you are really interested in. Send them your resume if you think it will help.

End the letter by thanking them for their assistance. And offer to help them with a future job search.

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Set SMART Goals

In this video Chief Resume Writer and Career Readiness Coach, Katrina Brittingham provides you with the tools for setting SMART goals for your job search and continued professional development.

Set SMART Goals

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What You Should Do With Your Life?

Job satisfaction: We all want it, but we’re not exactly sure how to secure it.
That’s because we believe our satisfaction is dependent on factors we don’t control, like the work balance at our current company, or the specific tasks our supervisors delegate to us. And while it is true that some of the job satisfaction factors are outside our control, that doesn’t mean we have no control at all!
Not satisfied in your job? Here’s a quick exercise many career coaches use to help you get to the core of what it is you should be doing with your life:
What Drives You?
1. What did you dream about doing when you were a kid?
2. What would you do if you didn’t have to worry about making money?
Make a list of the above. You should start to see commonalities in terms of general skills. It should come as no surprise, but those general skills will probably be related to your biggest strengths.
What Are Your Natural Talents?
1. What do people most appreciate about you and what you do?
2. What are the unique skills you have that people comment on at work or at home?
3. What areas do you excel in? For example, are you always being thanked for your insight, objectivity, organizational skills, etc.?
What Are Your Work Values?
1. What do you value in your work?
2. Do you appreciate the ability to work independently, or is a team environment something you value more?
3. Do you prefer constantly learning new skills, or do you value having the opportunity to really fine-tune one skill?
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Your combined answers to the questions above can guide you in your job search and will help you figure out if you’re on the right path or way off course.
The good news is that even if you discover you’ve gone astray, you’ll now have a roadmap to get you back on track.

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Need A New Year’s Resolution? 10 Ideas For A Stronger Career In 2017

As we finish off one year and prepare to start the next, it’s a good time to think about how we want 2017 to be better, which for purposes of this column means a better career. Here are 10 ideas for new year’s resolutions to adopt for a stronger career in 2017:
1. I will stay in touch.
You can start the networking habit with a holiday mailing. You can continue by reaching out in the new year to ask about people’s holidays. You can make additional contacts throughout the year by dedicating your lunch hour to meeting up with people and getting out from behind your desk, or reconnecting with at least one person you don’t see day-to-day. Even if you only do this once per week, that’s 52 chances for staying in touch.
2. I will manage my professional online presence.
You probably already surf your social media platforms of choice to keep in touch personally. From a professional standpoint, you can extend your outreach to a broader network (to help with #1-staying in touch!) and you can post about topics in your industry or functional expertise. You can also update your profiles, including your picture (it needs to look like you do now, not five years ago).
3. I will preserve my focus.
One of the most common obstacles for my clients when reaching for a career goal is the fatigue factor – most are working a hectic, complex day job and feel too depleted to take on something else. Unfortunately, that something else is often what they really should be focused on – the search for a more ideal job, the pursuit of a promotion, the transition to a new career. If this sounds like you, then make 2017 the year you carve out specific time before, during and at the end of each day to take action on your “real” career aspiration, not the one you happened to be assigned to in your day job.
4. I will maintain my energy.
Part of the focus problem stems from a lack of energy. Demanding jobs are physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. This means that in addition to preserving a focus on career action, you need to focus on preserving your energy reserves. Exercise, meditation, enough sleep, and good eating habits are all career moves when they give you the stamina to make that extra push.
5. I will spend my mornings wisely.
Adopting a good energy habit is a logical candidate for how you might remake your morning. If the days seem to get away from you before you get the important stuff done, create a new morning routine. Take one hour and spend 20 minutes each on exercise, meditation and reading. Or spend 10 minutes each and add additional habits, such as journaling, prioritizing the day, or reconnecting with your network (staying in touch!). Or resolve to spend the morning on your most important task. Whatever you decide, if you get your morning right, even if the rest of the day does get away from you, you will have at least have accomplished one thing.
6. I will stretch.
You could take this point literally and add stretching to your morning routine, which would also be a good idea. But from a career standpoint, stretching means doing something outside your day-to-day and perhaps beyond your comfort zone. This could mean taking on a cross-functional activity (which could be joining an employee resource group or even the company sports league). It could be stretching for a leadership role (which could be a committee role in your community non-profit and not necessarily at your current job).
7. I will grow.
You want to take on new activities outside your day-to-day so you keep yourself challenged and grow your career. You can also grow by updating old and developing new skills and expertise. Definitely see what your company offers, but you can also find professional development opportunities for yourself by tapping resources in your own network and community.
8. I will ask for what I want.
Of course, if your company doesn’t offer the professional development opportunities you’re seeking, you could ask for them. Learning to ask for what you want is a critical career skill, and finding opportunities to ask is the only way you’ll get practice at this. Ask for training, ask to attend a conference, ask for a membership to your industry association, ask for a mentor, ask for feedback so you can identify areas to develop (and strengths to build on).
9. I will be marketable.
You want to keep growing and developing so you maintain your career value. Even if you aren’t actively looking for a new job, you always want to be marketable. A change in business conditions or new management can quickly alter your otherwise comfortable situation. In addition to keeping your skills and expertise updated, you stay marketable with resolution 1-staying in touch. If your network doesn’t already include recruiters and other people active in the career field, then make it a priority to develop relationships here. Finally, your marketability means you have updated tools, like resolution 2-a professional online presence, as well as a resume and cover letter template (so you can quickly put together an introduction of yourself and your value when you need to).
10. I will keep my options open.
You don’t need to actively look for a job, but resolve to keep your options open. Return recruiter calls. Look at LinkedIn invites you don’t automatically recognize. Don’t be so quick to dismiss a request to work on something outside your normal expertise. While you don’t want to overextend yourself unnecessarily, you might have gone the opposite extreme, where you’re only interacting with people you already know, working on assignments you know you can do, and keeping the same rut, I mean schedule, day-in and day-out. Keep your options open by keeping an open mind.
You may already be doing some of these things but not others. Think about whether you want to focus on doing more with the good habits you already have, or on adopting new habits altogether. If all or many of these are of interest to you, consider focusing on one at a time – making a 30-day commitment to just one and then building from there or switching it up if you want variety. If you resolve to do just one more activity than you did this year, it will already be an improvement.
Contributor – Ms. C. Ceniza-Levine

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How To Job Hunt When You Can’t Leave Your Job Yet

You hate your job and can’t wait to be anywhere else—except twist, you have to stay for at least a little while longer. Maybe the hours allow you to care for a sick loved one, that promotion you’re in line for will set you up to qualify for different roles or that quarter-end bonus is going to help you finally get out of credit card debt.
So, right now, your job search is a lot of hurry-up and wait. You want to be ready the very moment you can start applying, but right now, you have to bide your time.
Here’s how to be proactive—and patient—so you can strike when it’s time:
1. Revamp Your Resume
When’s the last time you updated your resume? When you applied for your current role? If so, it’s time for an update.
Many people wait to revise materials until they’re about to submit a job application, because they want to customize them for each role. While tailoring your resume is an important step, it’s actually the second one you should take. The first—and often overlooked—one is to create a resume you can send anywhere.
It helps you in two ways. One, you’ll have a strong, current jumping off point when you are ready to customize it. And two, if someone asks you to simply “send on your resume” the moment you share that you’re looking, you’ll have something to ready to go.
2. Polish Your Personal Brand
Need yet another reason to set up a personal website, start publishing on LinkedIn or take on some other brand-boosting activity you’ve been putting off?
When it’s actually time to pound the pavement and send in numerous applications, odds are you’ll be too busy to also build a personal site or write a blog post, too. Additionally, hiring managers are more impressed by actions over time than the appearance that you became interested in being a thought leader the day before you sent in your materials for that new job. So, start publishing now, it’ll pay off when you have weeks (or months) of work to your credit.
3. Warm Up Your Network
Sure, you can’t ask for a referral yet; but you don’t want “Can you get me a job?” to be the first thing you say to someone after you’ve fallen out of touch anyhow. If it’s been a while, make an initial effort to reconnect by sending on an interesting article or a note to see how the other person is doing. Bonus: The holidays are a great excuse to get back in touch!
Keep in mind, you don’t want to jump from ghost to stalker. It’ll seem insincere (and slightly bizarre) if you go from no contact in three years to suddenly messaging that person at your dream company each week like you’re BFFs.
Additionally, you don’t want to wholly bury why you’re reaching out—at the risk of seeming like you’re leading them on. So, while you may not be ready to announce that you’ll be looking for a new job, you can mention that you’re interested in learning more about the other person’s industry or role, and ask if you could send on a few questions. This positions you perfectly to ask further questions (like insider tips for getting a job!) when you are ready to start your search.
When you don’t like your job, it’s understandable that you’d want to spend your free time on hobbies, and wait to job search until you can actually make a move. However, taking these actions now will help you hit the ground running when you are ready to look—so you land a new role that much faster once the time is right. Not to mention, they’ll help you stay sane, too, because while you’re still stuck at your job by day, by night you’re already preparing for that role of your dreams.
The Muse

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Stand Out from the Crowd during Your Job Search

With job creation numbers remaining modest and unemployment rates holding steady, landing your dream job may at times seem like a Sisyphean task. Sure, hand-delivering a box of chocolates to the hiring manager is one way to make your application stand out, but that’s not necessarily the best way to go about getting your resume to the top of the stack.
As a Managing Partner overseeing executive recruitment, candidates frequently ask me how to stand out in a job interview and build their personal brand. My response is simple: go the extra mile. This means tossing out a generic resume, upping your networking game, and thinking creatively.
Tailor your resume to match the position and company culture.
From tech startups to advertising giants, traditional resumes no longer make the cut. Tailor your resume to not only match the position for which you are applying, but also to align with the company’s culture. For example, consider using an infographic to visually illustrate your skills and accomplishments. And while a creative presentation is important, when it comes to your qualifications and accomplishments, stick to the facts. In the age of Google, it only takes a few seconds to spot “creative embellishments” and have your resume sent straight to the reject pile.
Build your digital brand and use it to network.
Your LinkedIn profile is your digital calling card; what does it say about you? Think beyond the basic profile and consider what you say in public forums, too. Establish yourself as an industry thought leader by curating industry news and adding insightful comments. Be strategic with your LinkedIn connections and don’t be afraid to ask colleagues and clients for a recommendation on LinkedIn. If you are currently employed but interested in a new position, reach out individually to the contacts you trust can keep your intentions private, let them know you are exploring the possibility of a new challenge, and ask for advice. I have found that people are genuinely interested in helping others when asked.
Stand out in your job interview.
Your interview is not a time to rehash your resume’s bullet points; it is a time to sell your personal brand by harnessing the power of storytelling. Come to your interview prepared with two or three anecdotes that demonstrate your soft skills, including teamwork, leadership, and creative thinking. Do your research: understand the company’s culture and be prepared with thoughtful questions to ask about the company’s future direction. Demonstrate how your leadership and ideas will be invaluable to building the company’s future. Speak with confidence, passion, and determination; there’s no substitute for human interaction, and an interview is your moment to shine.
Posted by Michael Johnson

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5 Valid Reasons To Apply For A Temp Job During A Long (Frustrating) Job Search

Like many college grads, I finished school without a job lined up right away. I’d originally planned on going into international relations, but an internship at the United Nations showed me how wrong that path was for me. (Big egos and bureaucracy? No, thanks.) As my living expenses piled up post-graduation, though, I knew I had to act quickly—applying to jobs I wasn’t even sure I wanted had so far been fruitless. So, I put on my business-casual suit, printed off my resume and walked into the doors of a temporary staffing agency.
Although it wasn’t my first choice at the time, temping ended up being the best decision I could’ve made for myself. After months of wandering, I gained motivation, experience and a steady paycheck. And ultimately, that was instrumental in leading me to where I am today. If you find yourself trapped in a seemingly endless job search, consider the following.
1. It’s Easier To Find A Temp Job Than You Think
Securing a temp job’s often relatively quick and low-effort, especially if you go through an agency like I did. To get started, all you really have to do is prepare a resume and cover letter—ideally tailored to the type of position you’re looking for—then reach out to set up an appointment with a nearby agency. Once you meet with your designated recruiting agent, you can share some specifics about your workstyle, skill set and what kind of position and organization you’re looking for.
After gathering that info, your recruiter will search for open opportunities that seem like a good fit and pitch your resume to those companies—usually at no cost to you. You’ll probably still have to spend some time drafting cover letters and interviewing before you get an offer (like any other job), but any way you slice it, you’re looking at serious savings in both time and effort.
As a bonus, there are usually many companies looking for part-time workers, leaving you with plenty of time to dedicate to job applications. Just clarify to your agency recruiter how many hours a week you’re willing to work from the get-go, and they’ll likely be able to find something that fits with your schedule.

2. Temping Pays The Bills (Without Making You Miserable)

When faced with the financial strain of unemployment, people usually go one of two routes: panic and accept a job that they know they won’t like, or stick it out in the hopes that something better will turn up before the next rent check is due. But you don’t have to choose between being broke and being miserable—temping is a perfect alternative for this scenario.
When you go through an agency to find a position, you have a significant amount of say in where you’ll be placed. So if you get matched up with an organization you think you’ll despise, you can pass without feeling guilty. The great thing about recruiters at these agencies is that they move fast—it’s in their best interest to fill open jobs ASAP, so they can often find you multiple opportunities within a span of two to three weeks. (Although your mileage may vary depending on the circumstances.) That way, you can find a good balance between the income you need and the experience you want.
3. Temping Gives You The Kick In The Butt You Need

To recycle a line from your high school physics textbook, an object at rest tends to stay at rest, while an object in motion tends to stay in motion. Translation: Even if you have plenty of time to apply to jobs when you’re unemployed, it can be hard to muster up the motivation to do so when your pace of life has slowed down so much.
On the other hand, if you get in the habit of sticking to a routine and spending your time meaningfully, you’ll naturally be in a more proactive state of mind—and you’ll probably feel a whole lot more self-worth.

It might seem counterintuitive, but this is a scenario in which less time spent searching results in greater productivity. Think about it: If you’re lounging in your pajamas at home all day, scouring job sites with trashy TV on in the background, there’s a decent chance you’ll spend more time goofing off than actually working on applications.

That, in turn, can lead to feelings of guilt, self-doubt and hopelessness. If you come back feeling accomplished after a solid day at the office, though, there’s a much better chance that you can maintain the confidence and drive needed during a job search.

4. Temping Exposes You To Variety

The impermanent nature of temping means that you’ll be able to try out more jobs in a shorter time period than you would otherwise, making this the perfect choice for folks who don’t know what they want to next or are looking to broaden their core competencies. If you fall into either of those camps, make a short list of the types of positions and companies you want to try out, then tackle them in order of highest- to lowest-priority.

As you get more and more experience under your belt, you’ll naturally figure out what you like and don’t like in a job. Not to mention, working in a number of different spaces, positions and even types of companies will help you pick up some new skills along the way—which can be invaluable in setting you apart from the crowd when you eventually start searching for something more long-term.

5. Temping Is The Ultimate Form Of Networking

Industry-related meetups or company happy hours are one thing, but there’s no better way to get to know somebody than by working with them. If you end up at a few different companies as a temp, you’ll probably work closely with a variety of people who will get to know you on a deeper level. When somebody like that can personally attest to your work style, strengths and biggest wins, they make a much more valuable reference than a random LinkedIn connection.

And who knows? Those folks may even be able to hook you up with a full-time opportunity, whether it’s at their current organization, a friend or family member’s company or a different workplace further down the line. As long as you do a good job and use the time to network like a pro, you’ll be able to open up a whole new world of opportunities for yourself.
Becoming a temp might not be what you dreamed of doing as a kid, but it’s still a perfectly respectable option—and in many cases, a surprisingly strategic one. Plenty of people (myself included) have used these positions as a springboard to launch into successful, long-term careers.

And while it’s common to feel like settling for anything less than your dream job is a failure, the truth is that deviating from the standard path (even if it’s scary at the time) can sometimes lead to an even better outcome. Take it from me: The skills and experience I gained at my temp job helped me kick off my first full-time position, a lifelong career in HR and eventually, a seat at the executive table.

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