Read Sex and Your Job Search 2013: A Guide to Scoring Your Dream Job for Free Online

Many applicant tracking systems offer this feature. On my employer’s website, it’s called Job Agent.
    These are the keys to the kingdom, people.
    5. EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES,
TEMPORARY AGENCIES, & SEARCH FIRMS
    You’ve seen the ads in the back of inflight magazines: “We will hook you up with your soul mate for just $20,000.” Unlike these “executive” matchmaking companies, if a Temporary Employment Agency hooks you up with a job, the employer pays instead of you.
    Here’s how it works:
1. The employer needs a worker for a certain period of time. Usually because someone is going on pregnancy leave, extended medical leave, or someone was suddenly terminated. They generally need people ASAP.
2. You register online and then set up an appointment at an agency.
3. The agency picks you to go to the employer to do the work.
    The key is to find out which agencies your desired employer uses. I strongly recommend creating a list of local temp agencies and search firms. Then register with each. Ask them if they place employees at your targeted firm.
    Most temp agencies have a screening process that includes an online clerical test and a few interview-like questions in person. If and when you are sent to that employer, consider it an on-the-job interview . I don’t know how I can emphasize this more. Every minute you’re on the job counts!
    For an employer, the beauty of a temporary worker is that they can call the agency and say, “Please don’t send this person back the next day.” The agency then communicates that to the individual. It’s a quick and clean process, with no stress for the employer. So make the right impression to ensure they request you day after day, which increases the chances you’ll be offered full-time employment.

    A temp at a local company, who we’ll call Melissa, seemed nice and, in the two months she’d been with the company, seemed like a decent worker. She didn’t know it, but her boss had talked with HR about creating a permanent position for her.
    Then, out of the blue, Melissa proceeded to demand a raise because she felt her duties weren’t proportionate with her pay. Otherwise, she would have to quit. Mmmm-kay.
    The list of job responsibilities she claimed to be doing were similar to those of an administrator making close to $120,000 a year. They included researching and writing complex reports, completing employee evaluations, researching competitors’ products, managing staff, and creative idea generation.
    What she was really doing was filing. All day. With her headphones in both ears. Her boss didn’t know what to say. Everyone could see what she did all day and they didn’t know why she thought she deserved more money. Needless to say, that was her last day.
    I have seen temporary employees receive full-time job offers more times than I can count. On the other hand, I’ve also seen people completely screw up this opportunity. How? Let’s think in terms of characters from The Office :
• By being a Stanley: Not talking to the employees they are working with
• By being a Ryan: Giving off a pretentious “I’m too good for this job” air
• By being a Dwight: Complaining constantly
• By being a Michael: Procrastinating
• By being a Kelly: Gossiping way too much
    Here’s my advice: be nice to everyone and strike up conversations. Sincerely compliment someone on something you notice, whether it be the way they dress, something in their cubicle, or something they do well on the job. It’s the decent thing to do, and you never know who knows who at a company. In addition, a large number of corporations use peers as interviewers and decision-makers during the hiring process. But don’t go overboard—keep your chats to under ten minutes (unless they’re giving you job advice).

    Ok, I said I had more temp agency success stories than I could count. I feel obliged to include at least one.
    A friend of mine, who we’ll call Elizabeth, registered at a temp agency and