Pros and Cons for Working for a Temp Agency

If you’re not generating enough income to sustain your web design business, then it’s time to consider an additional source of income. Landing clients in a tough economy is hard to do, but landing a job might be easier. One way is to apply and work for a temp agency. They can bring the jobs to you, and in the process you can network and develop your skills while getting paid.

Pros of Working for a Temp Agency

Many temp agencies hire you as an independent contractor. In a sense, that temp agency becomes your client. They take on the risk and headaches of finding work, and all you have to do is “show up” and do a good job. That can be a relief to you if your sales are hurting, and if business is slow. Here are some more pros for working for a temp agency:

• Paycheck – You can take care of the bills and inject cash into your business to keep it going.
• Get Testimonials – Your employers may be willing to give you a testimonial, which you can leverage to get more sales for your business.
• Beef Up Your Resume – If you don’t have enough experience to convince clients of your expertise, you can show that you’ve worked for multiple clients on a variety projects just by working for one agency.
• Future Clients – The clients you temp for may be future clients for your own business down the road, if you prove yourself and do a good job.
• Choose Hours – You don’t have to give up your flexible schedule just because you’re temping. You can do some jobs remotely, and employers may allow you to select overnight or early morning shifts if you want.

So why isn’t every creative professional working for a temp agency? The reason is that while there are some benefits to working with one, there are also some pitfalls that you need to consider.

Cons of Working for a Temp Agency

You might decide that working for a temp agency is a waste of your time and energy. The pay rate is going to be much lower than what you can charge on your own, and the jobs that are available might require you to commute to someone’s place of business. There are some other cons as well:

• Sporadic Jobs – Don’t rely on temp agencies to be your perfect sales force. Some agencies can be just as inconsistent in obtaining steady work.
• Reduced Hourly Rate – The temp agency makes its money by taking a percentage of what you earn. The less money they can pay you, the more money they can make.
• Increased Expenses – You’ll incur costs for traveling to work every day, in addition to fuel costs. You may have to pay for lunches, coffee, child care and other costs you may not have worried about as a business owner or freelancer.
• Time Lag before the First Job – You won’t always get your first job as soon as the hiring process is over. You might be on a waiting list for a little while, which defeats the purpose of pursuing this route in the first place.

You’ll have to decide whether these cons still make working for a temp agency worthwhile. One thing to keep in mind is that it is temporary. What you don’t want to do is end up in a situation where you’re paying to work, because the costs associated with commuting and childcare are so high.

Before you finalize your decision, create a budget to include the additional costs that you’ll have to take on. Don’t do the math in your head. Get it down on paper so that you can take an honest look at whether working for a temp agency is right for you.