If you're like a lot of people who temp by choice, a big perk is being able to pick and choose your assignments. Even the temp agencies you register with will tell you that -- it's a good selling point. But if you like temping, or at least like the money it brings you, you must remember the Cardinal Rule of Agencies: To financially survive, they must fill job orders. The faster, the better. The better the temp, the better. Your relationship with this agent is based on your need for temp assignments and their ability to get you temp assignments.
Some agents are quite upfront about how little they care about you -- you exist to help them fill job orders and make money. Refuse an assignment once, and they'll never call you again (until such time they're sure they can make money from you, of course). Other agents truly like you and understand that you just cannot work again for the bi-polar screamer with Tourette's Syndrome and the oozing rash. Either way, your agent needs to fill job orders, and so far I've found only one acceptable reason for refusing an assignment that will preserve your ability to be called for other assignments. You're "on another assignment."
So, when your temp agent calls with an assignment that you can't do -- you have a vacation planned, it's a 90 minute drive each way, you're too exhausted after that last nightmare temp assignment she sent you to -- no matter what your reason, you're "on another assignment." Practice saying it. They don't want to hear that if you don't get a day at the spa, you may break into green hives. They don't even want to hear that you're going to your grandfather's funeral. All they want to hear is, "when and where?" Your assignment may be to take a day off to play with your kids at the beach, but that's still an assignment you've agreed to. It's important -- it's your life. Your agent doesn't need to know the details.
Then, when you say no to an assignment, remember your agent's needs. Don't give a long explanation. As soon as your agent hears "no," she needs to call the next temp on her list. Say, "I'm so sorry I'm missing out on that. I'll call you right away if anything changes! And I'll check in when my current assignment is over."
They'll appreciate it.
Tamara Dobson is a seasoned temporary worker in the Los Angeles area.
Source: www.articlesphere.com