Temping tips

Being a temp is very different to being a permanent employee. While you may be working on the same or similar tasks, you have different rights and responsibilities. As such, here are some temping tips you should keep in mind to make a great impression throughout your assignment.

Before your assignment

Prior to commencing your assignment, make sure you obtain all the information you need. For example, you know prior to commencement:

  • What the job requirements are;
  • Who you will be reporting to;
  • What the company's dress code is;
  • What days and hours you are working;
  • How long the assignment is;
  • Where you will be based;
  • How you will get there; 
  • Where you will park (if driving); and
  • How long the commute will be.

Additionally, you should be prepared to bring:

  • Details of who you should ask for on your first day;
  • Contact details for your 11 Recruitment consultant;
  • A notepad and pen; and
  • Lunch and other snacks.

If you need to organise childcare during your assignment you should have a backup plan, just in case things fall through.

Temping tips | Before your assignment

During your assignment

Once you commence your assignment, there are a few things you should do to make a good impression on your host employer.

When you first start your assignment, it's important to:

  • Actively engage in training - show that you are willing to learn by taking notes and asking questions;
  • Ask for help - your host employer won't expect you to know everything, so make sure you ask for help when you need it; and
  • Quickly familiarise yourself with the workplace and try to fit in with your host employer's culture, policies, practices, and people.

Throughout your assignment, it is essential to:

  • Arrive at least 5 minutes early - if you are supposed to start work at 9am, you should be sitting at your desk and working by that time;
  • Call your host employer plus your 11 Recruitment consultant as soon as possible if you are running late;
  • Leave on time - if your shift ends at 5pm, then you should be working until 5pm, don't start packing up before then;
  • Return from your lunch break on time - for example, if you are entitled to a 30 minute lunch break from 12.00pm to 12.30pm, you should be back at your desk working by 12.30pm;
  • Dress appropriately and in accordance with your host employer's dress code; and
  • Maintain contact and provide feedback to your 11 Recruitment consultant.

We also recommend that you:

  • Try to be friendly and approachable to everyone you meet while on assignment;
  • Have a positive "can do" attitude to your work; and
  • Refrain from engaging in office gossip.

Some temp assignments also have the possibility to turn permanent - we call these "temp-to-perm" roles. If would like some more temping tips and to find out how you can go from temp to perm, click the button below.

 Go temp-to-perm by creating magic
Temping tips | During your assignment

First day induction

Your host employer will induct you on your first day, prior to you commencing any of your duties. 

They will begin the induction by taking you on a tour of the office, highlighting the location of:

  • The emergency exit(s);
  • Any safety signage;
  • The fire extinguisher(s);
  • The emergency first aid kit; and
  • The facilities.

They will then introduce you to:

  • Your supervisor;
  • Your coworkers;
  • The OH&S Representative;
  • The Fire Warden; and
  • The First Aid Officer.

Following this, they will explain:

  • Your job duties;
  • Your work hours;
  • Relevant safe work practices/procedures;
  • Instructions for equipment you will be using;
  • Any job or site-related hazards you may encounter;
  • The compnay's OH&S policy/procedures;
  • Emergency/evacuation procedures;
  • First aid procedures;
  • Hazard reporting procedures;
  • Manual handling procedures;
  • Good housekeeping procedures; and
  • The company's drug and alcohol policy.

Finally, your host employer will indicate what (if any) equipment you will be using during your assignment.

If this induction - or any part of it - does not take place, contact 11 Recruitment immediately, before commencing your duties.

 How you can stay safe at work
Temping tips | First day induction
>