Tips for Older Workers Interviewing for a Temp Job

Nancy Anderson
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Whether you're a retiree looking to fill your free time with something meaningful or a seasoned employee hoping to spend a few more years in the workforce, a temp job may present the perfect opportunity. While an older worker can have a tough time convincing a recruiting manager that he's deserving of the job, these seven tips can help.

1. Do Your Research

At a temp job, you're not likely to become immersed in the company culture or move up the corporate ladder. Rather than researching the organization's employees on LinkedIn, review the job description to determine what the employer wants in an employee, and explain to the hiring manager why you're capable of fulfilling the duties.

2. Prepare for the Interview

Just as you do for any job interview, take the time to practice common interview questions, but hone your responses to suit the position for which you're applying. The hiring manager is not likely interested in hearing about your long-term career aspirations, so demonstrate why this temp job is ideal for you in the short term.

3. Display Your Confidence

Tell the hiring manager why you're more qualified than younger candidates. Explain that you're a confident employee who works independently to complete the task assigned and doesn't back down from a challenge.

4. Brag About Your Skills

Don't be afraid to toot your own horn. Tell the hiring manager about your ability to be flexible, take on new tasks and work with others on a team — all skills that are important for an employee taking on a temp job.

5. Tout Your Experience

Talk about the positions you've held in the past that can contribute to your success in this job. Don't just mention work experience; use examples from your life experiences, volunteer opportunities and more.

6. Think Quickly

When it comes to a temp job, there's not a lot of time to waste or overthink the decision. Employers want an employee who is willing to step right into the position and get to work. Be ready to accept the position and start the job at a moment's notice.

7. Demonstrate Your Adaptability

Describe for the hiring manager an instance when you were able to be adaptable, whether it was facing a new work environment, taking on different duties or working with a variety of clients. This is a skill that bodes well for any employee taking on a temp job, as the terms can often be unpredictable.

Older workers have just as much — or more — to offer employers as their younger counterparts; it's just a matter of convincing hiring managers. When you're trying to land a temp job, follow these tips to make sure you use your experience, qualifications and personality to your advantage.


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  • delores l.
    delores l.

    Great advice! Now where is my job!!

  • kasim d.
    kasim d.

    Dearest friend, love your in put, it was educational, and to the point, thanks, wish you well, kaseemdeen,

  • vince A.
    vince A.

    working 27 yrs w/ same company and can't even find a measly position making 10p/hr .. it's sad and I'm only 60 but look and feel in my 40's

  • Larry J.
    Larry J.

    @59 years old it has been difficult to find work, but I decided to work on my part time profession, and start my own business in health and wellness education. I just need a few like minded people to work with. I like to use my time wisely and employers seem to want me to jump through to many hoops.

  • Adam L.
    Adam L.

    Sound advice. Thinking quickly not only about decisions, but during the interview itself would be high points for me. Even if you know little about the gig before you go in, you should know whether you want it, and be ready to slap one of these on the table: "yes, I can start Wednesday", or no thank you.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Gregory thanks for your comment. Sorry that you are struggling. Have to tell you, though, that I agree with @Donna. Follow her advice. It worked for me. I am the same age as you as I can't "retire" until I am 66 and I am working. Honestly, as I try to tell people in your position, check out some temp agencies. Maybe it's not ideal and you won't get any benefits but you will be back in the workforce and maybe, just maybe, might land a permanent gig. Yes you will have to take less salary but, then again, depending upon the position and your experience, you might make more than enough to meet your needs. My son was struggling to find a position, too. I told him - go to a temp agency. He fought me on that for over a year until he finally gave in and went. For most positions he was applying to, the salary was around $8 - 10/hr and the temp position is paying $14 with a raise coming up in the next week. They are already starting to negotiate permanent placement with him. Maybe you don't want or need permanent placement and can continue as a temp. It's a great way to get "inside" of a company and find out if it's for you. It's also a great way to try out different jobs and meet a lot of great people. Can you say "networking"?! Best of luck.

  • donna g.
    donna g.

    Be relevant. Be confident. Be positive. Be flexible. Do something new. Be willing to accept less money. Don't give up and stay unemployed for over 6 months. Volunteer. Network with people you know. Meet new people and get into their network. That's how I was offered the job I have now.

  • donna g.
    donna g.

    I'm over the age of 50. With some companies, yes they do want younger employees. They can pay them less and there is less concern about their health. With that said, I have recently been hired by a large company and my boss was impressed with my enthusiasm and attitude besides my skills and experience. I have seen people with a bad or "poor me" attitude get passed by time and time again.

  • GREGORY HOLMES
    GREGORY HOLMES

    Age discrimination is wildly rampant, illegal, and impossible to prove. There is nothing one can do. The government says I have to work until 66 yo but HR departments everywhere have decided I am irrelevant at any age over 50, regardless of experience and accomplishments. There is no advice that will help. Sorry. I've experienced it over and over and over...

  • Stephanie M.
    Stephanie M.

    That was very interesting..... Thanks for the advice !!!

  • Tabatha Y.
    Tabatha Y.

    Very useful information. Thank you.

  • Fatimehin E.
    Fatimehin E.

    Thanks for your advice.

  • Karen Hallenbeck
    Karen Hallenbeck

    Just the fact that the statement is Tips for Older Workers Interviewing for a Temp job makes me shiver. Ageism is horrible for older workers that may want a full time job.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Renee thanks for your follow up. Sadly, agencies are the best way to find a job today. My son did the same thing - looked and looked and looked. Submitted his resume to countless places but nothing came of it. Companies don't respond like they used to. They don't thank you for your submission and then tell you why they will not be contacting you. Your resume goes in and that's it. That is the new hiring process these days. Not understanding why you can't temp while the agency is looking for a position for you. Temp jobs sometimes pay more than a permanent one if that is the issue. For example, my son was looking at jobs that would pay approximately $10/hr - if he was lucky. He went through the agency and is making $14/hr with a raise coming up in the next week or two. So sometimes being a temp is THE way to go.

  • Renee B.
    Renee B.

    I can't afford to go for a Temp job, and have the agencies looking for a full time position for me. But I have found there are more agencies than !?! coming out of the woodwork. And with all the local I have registered with, going on 8. I feel like I must be tripping over myself. I am an older worker, going to be 60 and I am very disappointed in the hiring process.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Renee it's a shame that agencies do this - spread out all over the country so that you can't do any "in-person" interviewing with them. So true that it used to be that Kelly and some of the other agencies were VERY responsive - you could get a job within days. That's not the case today. Everything is digital. But some agencies still are personal such as the one that my son used. They have been totally hands-on with him so far. They are helping him to negotiate a permanent position with the company that he is temping for. Personally, I have not set foot in an agency office in many years. All of my interviews in the past 10 years have been over the phone and all of my positions have been virtual.

  • Renee Marie Long
    Renee Marie Long

    I was a "Kelly girl" in the late 1970s. I'm in Missouri. I went onto their CareerNetwork, applied for work and quickly landed a very nice assignment. Though I will say recruiting methods are very different these days. The recruiter who responded to my application was in New York and the "onboarding" personnel were in other states. I was never called into the local Kelly Services office! Assignment completed, and I have applied at Manpower - same situation, the local office does not even handle some of the postings on their career website......

  • Clotee M.
    Clotee M.

    These tips are more than helpful, thanks.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for all of the comments. @Jill most resumes show the education at the end. It has been my experience that most temp agencies are still brick and mortar as well as online. Once you submit your resume to a temp agency, you can usually call to follow up and to schedule a time to sit down with them, review your qualifications and see if there is anything available that fits your skills. Now, before everyone screams, maybe in some areas you have to do everything online and over the phone instead of in-person. My son very recently submitted his resume to a temp agency and they actually called him the same day. They did a short "interview" over the phone and then had him come in for an in-person interview. He did that and had a job within five days. @Robert brag away! If you don't brag about yourself, no one else is going to do it for you. It's hard to do - I know because us older workers were not brought up to do that. But this is a whole new world and we have to change and adapt to it just like every other generation has to do. Temp agencies truly are a great way to get your foot in the door or even to try out something new or to just our skills in a different industry. We have so much to offer - so brag away!

  • Robert Carter
    Robert Carter

    I guess I should give self bragging a chance and see what happens

  • Jill V.
    Jill V.

    some reason or other, applications ask for it). But if you put it at the end, it won't matter too much, even if it is something they won't read.

  • Jill V.
    Jill V.

    punch or machine shop, which is supposedly relevant). But for

  • Jill V.
    Jill V.

    Some of it made considerable sense. I have tried to put the things that I think will interest an employer at the beginning of the resume, and, for instance, the education at the end. (From my long and bitter experience, employers do not give a s**t about education, even when it was a course, such as key-

  • Evaristo S.
    Evaristo S.

    Very helpful info

  • ralph m.
    ralph m.

    it seems that you are not able to get the interview without some sort of a resume that appeals to them. most employers now are only concerned about what they read on a piece of paper online before you even get a chance.!

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