Customer Reviews

Executive Temping: A Guide for Professionals

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In April 2002, I purchased Executive Temping by Saralee Woods and Kennedy Information's The Directory of Temporary Placement for Executives, Managers and Professionals (ninth edition). I found the summary questions to differentiate between an employee and consultant found in The Directory of Temporary Placement for Executives, Managers and Professionals to be a good review of this important subject. Many of the suggestions found in Executive Temping are practical, geared toward helping an executive-level professional refine their presentation to both staffing service and prospective employers. My intention was to use the books for a letter marketing campaign. I selected 52 name and addresses from the two books for mailout on May 2002. My returned mail rate is not favorable showing bad addresses of 24-30%. If you want to use these books as an overview of executive-level temping, Executive Temping by Saralee Woods may more closely fit your requirements. If you wish to use the books as a source for temporary staffing services name and address information, proceed with caution - both books have outdated address information.

"Executive Temping" is a gem for any professional who wants or needs an alternative to self-employment or a traditional job. Five of the chapters cover opportunities and work contexts for temping in information technology, accounting and finance, healthcare and science, engineering, and law. Other chapters cover critical aspects of temporary employment, such as pay, how to choose the right service, how to connect with the service, and how to interview. The four chapters that cover survival on the job impressed me particularly. Although couched in terms of "your first temp job," Ms. Woods has actually included an employability skills course for adults. Every lesson I learned in my working life, and some I wish I had learned are contained in those chapters.

The organization and style of "Executive Temping" make it an easy read for anyone. Chapters are nicely broken into shorter topics, and filled with "real people" stories th! at illustrate the points. This book is a valuable addition to career guidance literature.

Executive Temping is for all those who must work and deal with the idiosyncracies of the late 20th Century workplace. In today's marketplace no job is secure, no worker exempt from downsizing. The average person will change careers five times in his or her lifetime. For those transitional times, Executive Temping is the perfect "How-To" book. The first half of the book deals with high level executives who have been laid off or who wish to change career fields. Executive Temping tells the reader how to use the temping business to bring in money, learn new skills, and try out different professions while considering future career options. The second half tells first time temps how to make the best impression, how to develop a top-notch relationship with the staffing company and how to transform a temporary position into a permanent one if they desire. Ms. Woods does a great job of making a potentially dry subject vibrant. Her use of anecdotes as examples makes her book an easy read. Executive Temping is a must for high school graduates, students temping their way through college, person's re-entering the work force after a sabbatical and those executives in the midst of changing careers.

I discovered that temping is for any professional who wants flexibility, the ability to be cross-utilized, learn new things, network and get ahead. Executive temping lives up to its name and beyond. It's well worth the read. Gary Joseph

In these days of corporate takeovers, downsizing, and early retirement, a must-read for anyone who wants to take charge of their career by working as a professional/technical temp. Full of practical tips and real world examples as well as inside information on how a staffing service works. Those in the staffing industry should also take notice--they could learn a great deal about how to improve their quality of service by paying attention to Woods' insights!

Executive Temping is a tremendous resource for anyone entering the job market or considering a career change. Ms. Woods experience and expertise as an staffing executive produces a valuable tool to maximize your earning potential as a profesional temp.

EXECUTIVE TEMPING would be great for any company seeking professional development opportunities.