|
Prepare Yourself
Before contacting an agency, be sure you are well prepared.
Take a recently typed and updated professional looking CV
(resume) with you, as well as any letters of recommendation
or personal references. If you arrive without CV and you are
staying with us, we usually take care of it.
|
Many agencies
prefer you to ring first for an appointment, but others don't
mind if you walk in off the street for an interview. Be sure
your dress is businesslike if you are going for office jobs,
as London isn't as casual as other places. Also bring your
passport, your tax form and any other documents that mention
your work status, as they may need it.
Be prepared to have your skills such as typing, spelling,
grammar, maths, computer knowledge, etc tested. Some agencies
are more thorough than others, so registration can sometimes
take a few hours.
You will need a contact phone number, as when work becomes
available you will be contacted immediately to fill the position.
If you do not have a phone number, you may miss out on a job.
Ring the agency at least once a day in the morning to advise
them of your availability and ask about any potential jobs
they may have for you.
Payment and Schedule
When you are being interviewed and registered, ask about the
rate of pay you can expect to receive. Rates are usually determined
by what skills you will be using on the assignment. Some agencies
offer lower rates for new arrivals. Be sure to ask if the
rate includes holiday or sick pay. If you are going away on
a trip or holiday, be sure to let the agency know for how
long, so they can work around your schedule and find you an
appropriate assignment. If you accept a long-term assignment
knowing you will be leaving shortly to go on holidays, you
will be letting your agency down. It could affect future assignments.
Payment from agencies is weekly or bi-weekly, on receipt of
your signed timesheet, which you usually bring or mail to
the agency. They will credit your bank account, or you can
collect your cheque at the agency office. They usually prefer
paying directly into your account, but many agencies allow
you to cash cheques at a particular bank without a bank account.
But be sure to ask your particular agency about this. Many
jobs on offer at temporary agencies become long term assignments.
Many employers look for future employees this way, so you
can sometimes get lucky and get a permanent job.
There are literally hundreds of agencies in London, so be
sure to find the ones that are right for your experience and
interests.
An agency we recommend for job search
Aansoek.com |