Temping

	Topic: Temping
Posted : 17/06/10 / Views : 1427 / Replies : 10 /
leileireid 257 posts last on: 03/02/12 send private reply	Hey Guys, I have just finished my degree quiet excited as it has been three long years anyway. I was wondering if you don't mind me asking what does everyone do for a day job and does it work for you? I thinking about starting temping as I have heard that it pays better then part time bar work and I have a couple of questions 1) What do you do when you get an audition, do you just ask for the mourning/ afternoon off or to take an early lunch? What are employers like when you ask that? 2) What do you do when you get a job? If you are on an agency would you just phone and say I have a job its filming for x days can you send someone to replace me. Short films can only take a couple of days to film film so are the companies you are temping for ok with you taking a couple of days off? 3) whats the pay like? 4) How reliable is it and can you get enough work out of it to live off or do you have to do other work like promo work? Thanks guys!!!! xox

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	Reply #1
Posted : 15/06/10
Tricia.Stewart 84 posts last on: 05/02/12 send private reply	Hey there - If you're worried about the prospect of letting an employer down, make sure you're looking at jobs where they have a big pool of people they can call to replace you. A temp agency / promo work are relatively good for this and some will primarily employ actors in the same boat as you. Good luck!

	Reply #2
Posted : 15/06/10
judithquin 13 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	BE HONEST WITH THEM - really it all depends on what skills you have and how you are in an office. I always tell an agency that I won't accept a contract longer than 3months, generally taking 'ongoing' work. I can command up to £20p/h as a PA for executives. But there are times when all there is out there is reception work which is usually about £8p/h. When you go for a job/agency interview - be honest, say you are an actress and will have to take time off for auditions/occasional days filming etc. Once they know you are good at what you do, most companies will be flexible. Be reliable, honest and good at your job and they will love having you there. I've never had a temping job where I haven't been asked to stay longer, go full-time, or indeed come back. I've just had a CEO offer me £13p/h to do whatever days are good for me to help out with an office move -completely flexible to my availability, because he knows I'm good. I first worked for them 5years ago I think. To answer your questions: 1) Depends what time the audition is - and where I'm working. I usually ask for earliest or latest possible audition then I get to work late or leave early - it can be tough to focus and cram it all in to a lunch break - but sometimes has to be that way. 2) I tell the agency and my direct boss at work (they'll know I've been to the audition) Short films - again time away depends on the job you're doing and the company you're working for 3) Pay - depends on skills, experience and location. 4) Reliability at the moment is tough - the job market is full of people looking and dependent on skills and experience. But it's always pot-luck. Promo can be a great way to earn money too as it's flexible and not long-term commitment.

Reply #2

Posted : 15/06/10

judithquin
13 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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BE HONEST WITH THEM - really it all depends on what skills you have and how you are in an office.

I always tell an agency that I won't accept a contract longer than 3months, generally taking 'ongoing' work. I can command up to £20p/h as a PA for executives. But there are times when all there is out there is reception work which is usually about £8p/h.

When you go for a job/agency interview - be honest, say you are an actress and will have to take time off for auditions/occasional days filming etc. Once they know you are good at what you do, most companies will be flexible. Be reliable, honest and good at your job and they will love having you there.

I've never had a temping job where I
haven't been asked to stay longer, go full-time, or indeed come back. I've just had a CEO offer me £13p/h to do whatever days are good for me to help out with an office move -completely flexible to my availability, because he knows I'm good. I first worked for them 5years ago I think.

To answer your questions:
1) Depends what time the audition is - and where I'm working. I usually ask for earliest or latest possible audition then I get to work late or leave early - it can be tough to focus and cram it all in to a lunch break - but sometimes has to be that way.

2) I tell the agency and my direct boss at work (they'll know I've been to the audition)

Short films - again time away depends on the job you're doing and the company you're working for

3) Pay - depends on skills, experience and location.

4) Reliability at the moment is tough - the job market is full of people looking and dependent on skills and experience. But it's always pot-luck. Promo can be a great way to earn money too as it's flexible and not long-term commitment.

	Reply #3
Posted : 16/06/10
jomc86 11 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	I'd sign up to a coupleof temping agencies so u could gaurentee regular work, also promo agencies! The beauty of temping is that you only work when you can so if something comes up you can just say sorry but I'm not available... obviously try to be as felxible as possible though. I work in Theatre as a job, it's a fun relaxed envrironment and the pros are you have the days free to audition, however its doesn't pay amazingly and can mean working unsociable hours. Hope this helps

Reply #3

Posted : 16/06/10

jomc86
11 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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I'd sign up to a coupleof temping agencies so u could gaurentee regular work, also promo agencies! The beauty of temping is that you only work when you can so if something comes up you can just say sorry but I'm not available... obviously try to be as felxible as possible though. I work in Theatre as a job, it's a fun relaxed envrironment and the pros are you have the days free to audition, however its doesn't pay amazingly and can mean working unsociable hours.

Hope this helps

	Reply #4
Posted : 16/06/10
Hannah.Neate 7 posts last on: 20/12/11 send private reply	Hello, The best tip is to be very honest. I have a part-time job in superdrug. The pay is not the highest however they offer great flexibility. When I handed in my CV I said I was looking for part time work and that I am an actress. So when I went to the interview I showed them (as much as I could) that I would be a good addition to their company. I explained that I would need to go to auditions but would always give them notice. They liked the honesty. One major tip, is that I work very hard for them, I do a good job, turn up (which some of their staff don't) and always make sure that they are happy. As a result they are very good to me. They know I will put in the effort and I think thats why they allow me to be flexible. Just a case of selling your benefits so that they will take the risks (I guess). Han x

Reply #4

Posted : 16/06/10

Hannah.Neate
7 posts
last on: 20/12/11
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Hello,

The best tip is to be very honest. I have a part-time job in superdrug. The pay is not the highest however they offer great flexibility.

When I handed in my CV I said I was looking for part time work and that I am an actress. So when I went to the interview I showed them (as much as I could) that I would be a good addition to their company. I explained that I would need to go to auditions but would always give them notice. They liked the honesty.

One major tip, is that I work very hard for them, I do a good job, turn up (which some of their staff don't) and always make sure that they are happy. As a result they are very good to me. They know I will put in the effort and I think thats why they allow me to be flexible.

Just a case of selling your benefits so that they will take the risks (I guess).

Han x

	Reply #5
Posted : 16/06/10
taliefriel 18 posts last on: 06/02/12 send private reply	Heya, I work as a waitress in a restaurant in central london where a lot of the staff are creative; actors, musicians, photographers etc.. Which probably helps. I was totally upfront with them and they didn't mind. The rota is written up just about a week before. It's amazingly flexible! Even if i get an audition for the next day i either find cover or tell them and they're usually fine about it. It's a lovely area of london so the tips are great, which means i can afford to work part time but earn a full time wage. And cash that's taxfree is always nice. I find my employer to be majorly supportive, they tell me to keep on it 'cause they don't want me to be waiting the rest of my life. Search around for that special workplace. I've worked agency/promo jobs and maybe i haven't found the best companies but they'd promise jobs paying £15-20 ph but more often than not it was £7 and working very late. Waitressing is the way to go. Hope it helps! Talie x

Reply #5

Posted : 16/06/10

taliefriel
18 posts
last on: 06/02/12
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Heya,

I work as a waitress in a restaurant in central london where a lot of the staff are creative; actors, musicians, photographers etc.. Which probably helps. I was totally upfront with them and they didn't mind. The rota is written up just about a week before. It's amazingly flexible! Even if i get an audition for the next day i either find cover or tell them and they're usually fine about it. It's a lovely area of london so the tips are great, which means i can afford to work part time but earn a full time wage. And cash that's taxfree is always nice. I find my employer to be majorly supportive, they tell me to keep on it 'cause they don't want me to be waiting the rest of my life. Search around for that special workplace.

I've worked agency/promo jobs and maybe i haven't found the best companies but they'd promise jobs paying £15-20 ph but more often than not it was £7 and working very late. Waitressing is the way to go.

Hope it helps!

Talie x

	Reply #6
Posted : 16/06/10
David.Laurence 198 posts last on: 05/02/12 send private reply	stuckforstaff.com

	Reply #7
Posted : 16/06/10
lukestevenson 135 posts last on: 6 hours send private reply	Iv just started doing children's parties. Sounds like hell, but its really easy, and can be quite fun. Balloon modelling, self working magic tricks, the hokey cokey etc... Pays better than most resting jobs. 60-90 quid an hour. You can earn the money you need working 6-8 hours over the weekend, leaving your weekdays free for your proper job. Heres a directory of companies. http://www.childrenspartyshows.co.uk/ Crack on!

Reply #7

Posted : 16/06/10

lukestevenson
135 posts
last on: 6 hours
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Iv just started doing children's parties.

Sounds like hell, but its really easy, and can be quite fun. Balloon modelling, self working magic tricks, the hokey cokey etc... Pays better than most resting jobs. 60-90 quid an hour.

You can earn the money you need working 6-8 hours over the weekend, leaving your weekdays free for your proper job.

Heres a directory of companies.

http://www.childrenspartyshows.co.uk/

Crack on!

	Reply #8
Posted : 16/06/10
ddagwood 52 posts last on: 06/02/12 send private reply	I have been temping for a long time now and there are times when I am more focussed on my acting career as very little work is offered via the agencies. I have registered with three agencies in the past couple of years and the one I have been with the longest (four years,) is the agency who always offers some kind of work. Having said that, they specialise in the charity non-profit sector so work tends to tail off during the summer months. I have noted some contributors actually command thirteen/twenty pounds an hour??? I am really surprised, having worked as an Administrator/PA, I have never being paid that much an hour. Maybe I should register with your agencies in that case. Essentially it is horses for courses. Temping and promotion work sounds your best bet but I can only talk about temping agencies and it does come down to the agency you register with. I have been honest and upfront and have said I am an Actor and think that may the main reason I am not offered as much temping work when I am 'resting', despite having a CV that covers many years and the work experience gained in many sectors. Like I said, horses for courses.

Reply #8

Posted : 16/06/10

ddagwood
52 posts
last on: 06/02/12
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I have been temping for a long time now and there are times when I am more focussed on my acting career as very little work is offered via the agencies. I have registered with three agencies in the past couple of years and the one I have been with the longest (four years,) is the agency who always offers some kind of work. Having said that, they specialise in the charity non-profit sector so work tends to tail off during the summer months. I have noted some contributors actually command thirteen/twenty pounds an hour??? I am really surprised, having worked as an Administrator/PA, I have never being paid that much an hour. Maybe I should register with your agencies in that case.

Essentially it is horses for courses. Temping and promotion work sounds your best bet but I can only talk about temping agencies and it does come down to the agency you register with. I have been honest and upfront and have said I am an Actor and think that may the main reason I am not offered as much temping work when I am 'resting', despite having a CV that covers many years and the work experience gained in many sectors. Like I said, horses for courses.

	Reply #9
Posted : 17/06/10
BlakeJ 1437 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	YOu need to be upfront with the fact you are an actor. Many times some companies dont actually understand that being an actor means last minute auditions and they get the 'ump. Temp work where you can cancel asap is always preferable. Its boring but its the jobs you do to survive...

	Reply #10
Posted : 17/06/10
ddagwood 52 posts last on: 06/02/12 send private reply	I agree with Blake, it is important to be upfront from the outset that you are an actor. I have always done this and the world of temping has been fairly hit and miss. Having said that, I have had long-term temping contracts that have lasted six and eight months respectively and in both these jobs, I managed to attend auditions and my employers were understanding but they knew I was an Actor before they hired me. Another good thing was I was working (and continue to do so,) mainly in Central London and most of the auditions were fortunately within walking distance - i.e. The West End/Covent Garden. So if you play things right, things can work in your favour. You are going have situations where some clients of the agency will not want you working for them, as in one case where despite an excellent CV, the agency was told by one of their clients they didn't want me because I was an Actor and actors never stay anywhere long. Now this job assignment was less than three months and was a temporary position. You will come across idiots like these and such is life. I don't get inundated with work but what work I tend to get (and if it is long term,) keeps me going if only just. Just be upfront from the start. Better to work for people who know and understand, rather than those who don't and could care less. Good luck.

Reply #10

Posted : 17/06/10

ddagwood
52 posts
last on: 06/02/12
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I agree with Blake, it is important to be upfront from the outset that you are an actor. I have always done this and the world of temping has been fairly hit and miss. Having said that, I have had long-term temping contracts that have lasted six and eight months respectively and in both these jobs, I managed to attend auditions and my employers were understanding but they knew I was an Actor before they hired me. Another good thing was I was working (and continue to do so,) mainly in Central London and most of the auditions were fortunately within walking distance - i.e. The West End/Covent Garden. So if you play things right, things can work in your favour. You are going have situations where some clients of the agency will not want you working for them, as in one case where despite an excellent CV, the agency was told by one of their clients they didn't want me because I was an Actor and actors never stay anywhere long. Now this job assignment was less than three months and was a temporary position. You will come across idiots like these and such is life. I don't get inundated with work but what work I tend to get (and if it is long term,) keeps me going if only just. Just be upfront from the start. Better to work for people who know and understand, rather than those who don't and could care less. Good luck.

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