Temp work may be best option for recent grads

Young job seekers should keep an open mind in today's shaky market

Jocelyn Ward received a rude awakening upon graduating from Purdue University in May. After earning a degree in economics, with minors in finance and organizational behavior and human resource management, Ward looked forward to landing a job immediately.

"I was expecting to be employed full-time by the time I graduated," the Aurora resident said. "But as time started going by, I wasn't getting as many phone calls back as I wanted to, and I started getting worried."

Ward started posting her resume on online job boards, but had no luck. Then she sent her resume to Accountemps, a temporary staffing firm for the accounting and finance field.

"I submitted my resume to Accountemps and got an e-mail back about temporary work," she said. "I wasn't excited because I really wanted to go into permanent work."

After some thought, Ward gave it a try. "I met with them, and they called me and said they had something for me," she said. "It was a temporary position at a distribution company in Romeoville. I took the job and now work as a billing clerk."

Andy Kegebein, branch manager for Accountemps in Warrenville, says temporary employment is a great option for job seekers right now.

"A lot of companies are cautious about hiring because no one wants to bring on the fixed cost, so they are turning to the temporary market," he said.

Kegebein advises recent grads and those recently unemployed not to limit themselves to permanent positions.

"Be willing to branch out and come out of your comfort zone," he said. "If you were always a staff accountant, don't be afraid to take a job as an accounting clerk."

Do most temporary jobs turn permanent?

"I'm not saying that," Kegebein said. "A lot of the jobs we are getting are open-ended. Although over the last couple weeks we have seen a small increase in temp-to- perm, most are indefinite" about full-time prospects.

He recommends job seekers remain positive and network.

"Always have copies of your resume," he said. "Talk to people and let anyone who will listen know that you are available to work."

Kegebein also cautions against a few practices, such as posting questionable pictures on Facebook.

"This can be a problem for recent grads," he said. "Companies can research people and if they see a lot of wild and crazy pictures, they may think twice about bringing you on board."

Lastly, Kegebein said keep an open mind.

"Don't be close-minded," he said. "Don't just sit there and wait for that perfect position. Don't be afraid to take a lesser job; it can get your foot in the door, and you can start climbing the corporate ladder again."