If you're wondering about temp work, start here: An introductory guide from someone with about 10 years of experience at 7 different temp agencies

"What is temp work actually like?"
"Can I do it too?"
"I'm interested, but I don't know where to start looking."

Are you thinking things like that?

Even if you know the name 'temp work,' you might not really understand how it works or how to find a job.

Is it unstable? Is it easier than being a full-time employee? Can you earn more than a part-time job?
Many people have only images in their heads and are unsure if they should consider it as an option.

In this note, I cover:

This is summarized for temp work beginners.

This note is not packed with ways to increase your conditions or turn experience into achievements.

First, learn about the working style of temp work, and use this as an entrance to think about
"whether it's an option for you."It is an entry point for that.

I want these people to read this

It's okay if you haven't decided to work as a temp right now.
Just reading it is fine.

Please use this to graduate from the state of jumping in without knowing anything.

Here are just a few voices from those who have read it.

Actually, I didn't know anything about temp work either.

I originally started in nightlife work,
High school graduate, no full-time employment history.

For me, someone who went off the beaten path, to turn things around,
I had no choice but to go through a different route.

Although I chose the working style of temp work thinking that, at first, I moved without knowing the structure or the flow, and I was unnecessarily exhausted.

I looked at job postings on job sites,
and every time I found a job I was interested in, I registered with that temp agency.

In the end, I had the experience of being exhausted by a situation where job introduction emails from temp agencies I had never worked for kept arriving endlessly...

However, I have worked as a temporary employee for a total of about 10 years.
My current assignment is my seventh.

If I had known about the system and the differences between staffing agencies from the beginning,
I think I could have reduced unnecessary registrations, excessive emails, and wasted time.

That is why in this note,

is what I have summarized.

Temp work entry check

Going to Hello Work doesn't quite click.

I registered with a recruitment agency, but
somehow only mediocre job offers come in.

If you are wondering, “What is temp work like?” in such a situation,
let's start by organizing how the system works.

What kind of work style is temping?

When working as a temp, these three parties are mainly involved.

Temporary employees work at the client company, butthe employer is the staffing agency.

There are two main ways to find a job.

At first, I didn't really understand this relationship.

Is the company listed on the job site the employer, and how are staffing agencies different from client companies?

Just understanding this much will significantly reduce confusion when looking at job listings.

From entry to starting work

While the specific process varies depending on the temp agency and the job, the general flow is as follows.

I used to think of the internal check by the temp agency that happens in the middle as
all togetheran "internal screening."as one thing.

However, it is not a system where the client company selects candidates through job interviews.
The one who decides who to dispatch is the temp agency, which acts as the employer.

What happens during a workplace visit?

If the individual wishes, a
"workplace visit"may be conducted to check the job duties and work environment before starting work.

You go to the client company with a representative from the temp agency to hear about the job duties and the daily workflow, and to ask any questions you may have.
It is sometimes called a

"face-to-face meeting,"but it is not a job interview by the client company.

I used to use this opportunity to check the atmosphere of the actual workplace and the details of the job.

The process varies depending on the temp agency and the job.

People who are suited for temp work

For people in these situations, temp work might be a suitable option.

Temp work is not necessarily a "last resort."
Some people choose temp work after considering the conditions and environment that suit them right now.

On the other hand, it may not be suitable for the following people:

Neither is necessarily the "right" answer.
What is important is what you are looking for in your work style right now.

How to find temp work

If you are looking for temp work,
the easiest way to start is by browsing temp job sites.

You can see what kind of jobs are available, what the hourly wages are, and what conditions are common.

Even before you register, you can get a rough idea of the current market.

En Haken

The first site I ended up at was "En Haken".

At the time, I knew absolutely nothing about temp work, so
it was just a site I found by searching.

You can look broadly at "what kind of temp jobs are out there,"
and filter by conditions like "no experience required."

I felt it was easy to use for my first time looking for temp work.

En Haken

Hatarako.net

"Hatarako.net" makes it easy to filter by conditions such as "no experience required" or "housewives/househusbands welcome," and you can also check the average hourly wage when viewing job listings.

I think it is a site that is easy to compare for those who want to search while getting an idea of their potential income.

Hatarako.net

Rikunabi Haken

"Rikunabi Haken" lets you start by selecting a region on the top page,
and you can also filter by conditions like "no experience required."

Rikunabi Haken

The number of job listings changes daily.

Rather than deciding that "this site is the best," I recommend comparing 2 or 3 sites first to find one that is easy for you to search.

Things to check first when looking at job postings

When you find a job posting that interests you, try checking the following items before deciding based solely on the hourly wage.

It is okay if you cannot judge everything perfectly.

Just by looking while thinking about "what I want to prioritize" first,
the way you see job postings will change.

Types of staffing agencies

When you find a job that interests you on a job site, check the staffing agency that posted it.

Sometimes you will be guided to "register first" when you try to apply,
and other times you will be contacted by the staffing agency after you submit an entry.

There are both large and small staffing agencies.

Among those I have used,
I felt that large agencies often had more job listings and support options.

On the other hand, I have also encountered jobs in industries and companies at small staffing agencies that I did not see at large ones.

Rather than deciding based solely on the size of the company, it is more important to see if they handle the type of work you want,
if it is easy to communicate with the representative, and if the explanation of the terms is clear.

You lose if you don't know! Mysterious rules of temp work

Back when I didn't know how temp work functioned,
there were many things that surprised me, making me think, "Oh? Is that so?"

Here, I will introduce these by separating institutional rules, things that differ depending on the staffing agency or job,
and my own personal experiences.

① Even for similar jobs, the hourly wage and conditions may differ

Even if the temp agency and job content look similar,
the hourly wage and conditions can differ depending on the temp agency.

However, you may not be able to tell if the job content or contract conditions are truly the same just from the job posting.

You also cannot simply assume that "a high margin means a low hourly wage."

The difference between the temp billing rate and the wages paid to the staff also includes social insurance premiums, training costs, welfare expenses, and the temp agency's operating costs.

That is why, when I find a job I'm interested in, I've started comparing it with
similar job postings and conditions rather than deciding based on just one company.

② The name of the client company may not be listed in the job posting

Even when looking at a job posting, it might be written as "a major company" or "an IT company near the station,"
and you may not know the name of the client company.

While some job postings do disclose the company name, when you are informed of the specific company name varies depending on the job site and the temp agency.

Even if similar job postings appear on multiple sites, if the company name is not listed,
you might not realize they are for the same client company.

③ A "meet and greet" is not a "hiring interview"

In general temporary staffing, it is not permitted in principle for the client company to interview and select candidates before they start working.

Therefore, terms like "workplace visit" or "meet and greet" are used as an opportunity for the candidate to confirm the job content and environment.

Since you are actually talking to someone from the client company,
it might feel like an interview if it's your first time.

However, it is not a hiring interview by the client company.

In my experience, workplace visits usually ended after one session.

This is not a general rule, but just my own experience.
The process varies depending on the job.

④ You may be able to use free training provided by the temp agency

Depending on the temp agency, free training for Excel, Word, business etiquette, etc., may be available.

Some courses can be used after registration, while others are for staff currently on assignment, and some have usage deadlines.

Since it's not always the case that "you can use everything once you register,"
please check the usage conditions on the temp agency's website or with your representative.

If you are worried about your skills,
I think it's a good idea to check the training content when choosing a staffing agency.

5. There are rules for handling personal information

The skill sheet shared with the client company before a workplace visit,
focuses mainly on work history and skills related to the job duties.

In general temporary staffing, it is not permitted in principle for the client company to request a resume for the purpose of pre-employment screening,
or to narrow down candidates based on age, gender, etc.
.

On the other hand, once employment is decided,
information such as name and gender is conveyed to the client company as a notification based on laws and regulations.

For those 45 and older, the fact that they are "45 or older" is notified, and for those under 18, their age is also notified.

It is easier to understand if you remember that the information used by the client company for screening before employment is different from the notification required after employment is decided.

6. Communication after a workplace visit can sometimes be surprisingly fast

In my experience,
communication after a workplace visit often came within the same day to about three days.

The communication referred to here,
does not mean the result of the client company choosing a candidate.

It is more like receiving confirmation or future contact from the staffing agency regarding starting the job.

The number of days until contact varies depending on the staffing agency and the job.

7. If you decide to decline, let them know as soon as possible

Even after hearing detailed conditions or proceeding to a workplace visit,
you can still decline if you feel it really doesn't fit.

However, the staffing agency and the client company are also making arrangements.

Once you decide to decline, it is important to inform the staffing agency as soon as possible.

I feel that checking the job content and conditions thoroughly before proceeding to a workplace visit,
can reduce unnecessary back-and-forth for both sides.

Is it just "a vague sense of anxiety," or
is it "something you cannot accept as a condition"?

It is also recommended to try thinking about it by separating things in your own mind.

8. Sometimes it starts with a shorter contract

The initial contract period is not the same for all assignments.

In the assignments I have experienced, some started with a one-month contract,
and then, if there were no issues for either party, it would move to three-month renewals.

Of course, there are also assignments that start with different contract periods from the beginning.

The contract period and renewal timing are points you should always confirm before starting a job.

The renewal timing also serves as a milestone to organize your future,
whether you will continue or consider a different environment.

Summary | It is enough if you can at least make temp work an "option"

Thank you for reading this far.

In this note, I have summarized:

I have summarized these points.

You don't need to memorize everything.

It is enough if you can go from "I don't really understand temp work" to
"I see, so that's what this work style is like."

Your next step doesn't have to be a big one either.

・Take a look at job sites you are curious about ・Write down your desired conditions such as working hours, income, and commute time ・Think about whether the temp work style seems to suit you right now

It is okay if you do all this and conclude that you won't choose temp work for now.
It is more important to be able to choose a work style that suits you after being informed.

You don't have to wait until you are perfectly prepared to take action.
Just knowing about it expands your world.
Just by reading this, you're already 60% of the way there.

Click here for more details about my background

Including my experience working as a sole proprietor and freelancer in nightlife and event promotion, as well as my temp assignments, I have worked at over 20 different workplaces.
My work history and background up to this point are summarized in my self-introduction note.

You can find my detailed background here.

Click here for more details about my background

When you start temp work and want to think about what comes next

If you have read this free note and understand the temp system, how to find jobs, and how workplace visits work, that is enough for now.
Once you actually start working as a temp,

you will face new concerns such as:

These are the next challenges you will face.

I have summarized how to turn your experience into a track record and better conditions in my paid note.

If you don't need it yet, it is perfectly fine to stop with this free note.
Please read it when you have actually started working and want to think about what comes next.

Turning "things I've done as a matter of course" into a track record | A temp strategy to go from under 3 million yen to over 3.5 million yen

I am rooting for your new step forward with all my heart.

Cube