Honesty about interviews when temping?

scottishgirl87

I have ended up temping the past couple of weeks, after finishing my previous job when the fixed term contract ended, and have an ongoing assignment. I have been fortunate enough to be invited to 2 interviews next week on separate days! Now, I'm obviously going to go as I need a more pemanent job but should I just be honest with the place I'm temping or just be vague and say I have appointments and am unable to work those days.

One of them I will have to take the full day off but the other would only require a morning. For what it's worth neither interviews are through an agency but roles I have applied to directly and I wouldn't mention my time off to the agency anyway, just direct to the client.

InsideInsurance

I'd be vague until you have a job offer and then there can be the opportunity for a discussion.

Generally people arent idiots and know that most volume temps would rather be perm and so are probably looking but no point risking you having the minority idiot agent etc that thinks you're being disrespectful to him/ them and becomes an !rse

scottishgirl87

Thanks for replying, I'm not planning on telling the agency either way but not sure whether to be honest with the client I'm working with directly.

noelphobic

scottishgirl87 wrote: »

Thanks for replying, I'm not planning on telling the agency either way but not sure whether to be honest with the client I'm working with directly.

If you can get the time off without having to give the reason then I would do that.

I'm doing voluntary work for 4 different organisations at the moment. They don't all know that I'm looking for paid work - apart from the one that I've applied for paid jobs with!

It's not the same but I wouldn't give too much away in case it causes problems.

bap98189

Just tell them. Who knows - they may be looking for someone, and there is no better way to get a foot in the door than having already done a good job there for a few days.

mattcanary

I would tell them.


If they think you are doing a good job, then they may then be prepared to offer you something more permanent and I don't see why anyone should have to lie about something like this (although I suppose telling them vaguely that you have an appointment and would like time off then you are not lying - the argument to this being is of course they will then ask what kind off appointment you have)

Dayman

Depends on the company you are temping at, some are good some are bad. I've tempted at the council where my Line Manager was really supportive to all her staff when it came to interviews and career progression. She was a temp too.

Other places I would be less willing to be open about it.

Although anyone with half a brain knows that 99% of temps are looking for better opportunities.

Savvy_Sue

You say you're not going to tell the agency you're temping with, but what does your agreement say? Is it OK to arrange your hours with the place you're working at, or are you required to tell the agency (before they see your timesheet)?

Long time since I used temps, but the deal was I'd ask for a temp, they'd send me one. I'd have been less than impressed if they sent me one who couldn't do the full week without telling me, and I'd have been on the phone saying I needed someone for the time the temp couldn't cover if the temp came direct to me.

It may depend what you're required to do: I needed someone on the switchboard. I could get cover for lunchtimes, but if I'd had to call on the agency then it meant we were too stretched to cover more than lunchtimes. Hence my lack of impressedness if the temp announced they couldn't cover either ...

scottishgirl87

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

You say you're not going to tell the agency you're temping with, but what does your agreement say? Is it OK to arrange your hours with the place you're working at, or are you required to tell the agency (before they see your timesheet)?

Long time since I used temps, but the deal was I'd ask for a temp, they'd send me one. I'd have been less than impressed if they sent me one who couldn't do the full week without telling me, and I'd have been on the phone saying I needed someone for the time the temp couldn't cover if the temp came direct to me.

It may depend what you're required to do: I needed someone on the switchboard. I could get cover for lunchtimes, but if I'd had to call on the agency then it meant we were too stretched to cover more than lunchtimes. Hence my lack of impressedness if the temp announced they couldn't cover either ...

Thanks for bringing this up, Sue, I never thought about it from this side of things. I did speak to the client today and they are fine with me taking the time off, no questions asked, however I did wonder if the agency would query it when I submit my timesheet.

I've just checked my agreement with the agency and it does not state anywhere how many hours I am contracted to. I assume they may be getting an hourly commission so won't be too happy on that side of things but is there anything they can actually do (other than tell me not to come back)?

I don't know if this makes a difference but this all came about after I responded to a job advert via the agency and had an interview with the client. I was then told I was unsuccessful at interview and didn't get the job (someone else did and is also now working there) before being called about a week later to be told the client really wanted to take me on if I was still available. So I've kind of came to be with the agency by a fluke.

Savvy_Sue

scottishgirl87 wrote: »

I've just checked my agreement with the agency and it does not state anywhere how many hours I am contracted to. I assume they may be getting an hourly commission so won't be too happy on that side of things but is there anything they can actually do (other than tell me not to come back)?

If the client is happy, I'd be surprised if the agency minded. BUT

scottishgirl87 wrote: »

I don't know if this makes a difference but this all came about after I responded to a job advert via the agency and had an interview with the client. I was then told I was unsuccessful at interview and didn't get the job (someone else did and is also now working there) before being called about a week later to be told the client really wanted to take me on if I was still available. So I've kind of came to be with the agency by a fluke.

Bit confused, but is this the temp job that you only got by a fluke? If they really want you, they may just offer you a perm job if they know they might lose you!

scottishgirl87

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If the client is happy, I'd be surprised if the agency minded. BUT

Bit confused, but is this the temp job that you only got by a fluke? If they really want you, they may just offer you a perm job if they know they might lose you!

Yes, this is the same job. To be honest, I'm happy to temp there but I don't think I'd like to work there permanently. Not saying I'd rule it out but I can't hold out for a maybe when there are more permanent positions out there.