Unemployment rates are hovering around double digits. Job offerings in the newspaper classifieds are in the single digits. Full time employment is becoming an unattainable dream. The bills need to be paid. Where can one turn?

Part Time Employment

Part time employment is probably not what you seek. However, a couple of part time jobs can bring in an income equivalent to what you are used to. If you are lucky enough to have a full time position but a raise is out of the question, a temporary part time job may be the answer.

Companies that work on contract often have spurts of temporary jobs. Manufacturers have busy spurts when production is needed to restock after seasonal sales. Seasonal companies like H & R Block offer temporary lucrative assignments. You generally won't find these listed in the want ads. These part time jobs are available through employment agencies.

Why Use An Employment Agency?

Companies are finding that employment agencies are saving them money and time. Potential employees are interviewed and screened by the employment agency prior to being placed in a temporary part time job assignment. The employment agency handles all the employer responsibilities of the worker during the entire job contract.

At any time during the job assignment, the employee or the company can decide whether the arrangement is to their liking by communicating through the employment agency. No hard feelings on anyone's part.

A company is not responsible for an employee of the employment agency. If an employee were to get injured on the job assignment, the employment agency handles the claim. The employment agency pays the employee and handles tax deductions. The employment agency is the employer.

Benefits Of Working For An Employment Agency

As an employee of an employment agency:

• You are interviewed once
• You save time and money by not having to travel to interview appointments
• You get the opportunity to try out various assignments for which you qualify that you may never have thought about
• You get to expand your marketable assets
• You gain additional experience
• You regain confidence in yourself
• You will earn income
• You prove to companies that you are worthy through your work performance
• A temporary assignment can become a permanent one (ask the company at the end of the contract)
• Honing your skills can lead to a permanent part time or full time position negotiated on your behalf
• You can work when you want (around kids and appointments)

Beware of employment agencies that charge you a fee for providing employment. They also get paid by an employer for finding you. This type of agency puts you in a financially depleting competitive environment with other clients that may be more highly qualified for the employment agency's contracts.

Disadvantages Of Working For An Employment Agency

• Most assignment are part time
• Most assignments are temporary
• No benefits like paid vacation or health insurance

Companies that contract through employment agencies save money by contracting on temporary hourly rate trials as opposed to contracting for permanent employees. A company often pays an additional $2/hr to the agency. A permanent contract costs the company a one-year salary payment. If you work a temporary assignment and you like the work, ask the company if you can be hired permanently. Ask for a payrate $2 more than the agency pays you. Chances are good that you will get the part time job permanently with company benefits and higher wages.