[danni_bella]

Lol I am soo sick of temping!

This is one of the reasons why I went back to uni to do postgrad! Oh plus to fulfill one of my childhood dreams of becomming a librarian

Anyway I'm just fixing up my resume and I have THREE jobs in the past three years in there that are contracts, each about 2-3 months in length.

Do you think this looks bad, or do employers out there know that there are a lot of people out there that have done temp work and have it not work out? :/ Confused

DB.

[Wildebeest]

I honestly wouldn't get yourself worried about having a fair few temp jobs on your CV. Yes, doing them doesn't always feel ideal and there isn't a substitute for having that spectacular job you would like to have on paper, but what can be that bad about having temp jobs on there? It shows flexibility, for one thing, and also that you took what was available when not a great deal was about, not to mention that there is such thing as getting experience from them as well! If you can talk confidently and positively about what you gained from the employment and relate it to your future aspirations then you can most likely place yourself in quite a reasonable position.

[JumpingJonny]

I think alot of it depends on the nature of the work you are doing, if it is a job that is clearly a short-term temp job then it would be fine. If it however was a job where it looked like you had done it for a couple of months and the quit then it would be different. Perhaps mention it was a temp placement on your CV? Either way it shows you have been looking for a job, but with the current climate havent been able to find a business that can keep you on for more than the couple of months that they desperately need staff, however the fact that you have several shows that you are clearly motivated and dedicated to finding and sticking with a job. I hope that made sense

[Earsnot]

Narr.. I temp-ed in a factory for two summers, and then in a college as a recpetionist Sept/Oct, and now i have another temp job in Levi's.. I think in one way it is better because of the experience you gain and lessons learnt etc... Though, some employers are just nobs so you cant win

[cpj1987]

I have a lot of temp jobs on my CV. When I started my career, my employer questioned me about them, but he was happy with my justification.

As long as you can justify why you chose to have temporary jobs, rather than permanent ones, you'll be fine.

[threeportdrift]

What is more important is that you are using them to demonstrate relevant skills. If you are doing that, then it doesn't matter. If they are also obviously temporary jobs, that doesn't matter so much either. What does look bad is jobs that would normally be permanent but that you just didn't stick at.

[danni_bella]

Originally Posted by JumpingJonny

I think alot of it depends on the nature of the work you are doing, if it is a job that is clearly a short-term temp job then it would be fine. If it however was a job where it looked like you had done it for a couple of months and the quit then it would be different. Perhaps mention it was a temp placement on your CV? Either way it shows you have been looking for a job, but with the current climate havent been able to find a business that can keep you on for more than the couple of months that they desperately need staff, however the fact that you have several shows that you are clearly motivated and dedicated to finding and sticking with a job. I hope that made sense

I definitely noted on my CV that they were "non-ongoing temporary" contracts, the only problem is that it might appear like I can't hold down a job because I haven't kept one for more than 2 years yet. I'm already 26! !

Hence I'm stressing

Most are office jobs, e.g. admin or secretary.

[danni_bella]

Originally Posted by threeportdrift

What is more important is that you are using them to demonstrate relevant skills. If you are doing that, then it doesn't matter. If they are also obviously temporary jobs, that doesn't matter so much either. What does look bad is jobs that would normally be permanent but that you just didn't stick at.

Hmm there's one of those (hello again Apple Computers Australia).
However I HAVE added in the job description, stuff that I would need for my next job - a librarian, e.g. with archiving and document ordering...

[Mazija]

I wouldnt worry I have a fair few temp jobs on my CV and I still get called for interviews. I did mention on my CV though that they were temporary roles on a fixed contract.
xx