“Temps.” We all remember the running joke on Murphy Brown.  Each episode included the scene with Murphy walking into her office, greeted by her secretary of the day.   A parade of quirky weirdo misfits who no one in their right minds would hire; Murphy’s eyes would roll and the implication was clear, “No, wonder he/she is a temp.”  A great comedic bit was born.

            Needless to say, I did not want to be perceived as a “joke.”  I saw temping as the best alternative to head hunter hell or replicating my past career with the only change being new letterhead. It was nine months after my layoff and my severance was coming to an end. A friend gave me the name of a temp agency with contacts in the fields I desired so I made an appointment.

            As I sat in their reception area, filling out tax forms, I yearned for the familiarity of my old job and the resentment set in.  Filling in the years I worked for them, made me simmer.  How dare they toss me out like a middle-aged shoe!  I muddled through the computer tests and Stephanie, my counselor, reassured me that I did well and that my experience and professionalism would make me easy to place.  Still, when I got home that day, I was emotionally exhausted.  I shut the door to my apartment and cried.

            My first assignment was supposed to be for one day; I was there six weeks.  It was for the advertising department of a leading childrearing magazine.  I arrived just when they were preparing for their annual sales meeting.  Despite the frenzy, everyone was terrific and since it was an area with which I was familiar, I was able to impart my knowledge as well as do simple clerical work.  They actually offered me a job, but I held fast to my desire to hold out for a position on the editorial side.  However, they were so appreciative of my work, that on my last day, they gave me flowers and a lovely card.  The Director of the department assured me that I could count on him for a glowing recommendation.

            For the next week, I was sent to the Creative Department of a different magazine.  I got to learn how collaborative the editorial process is; what photo editors do and how important and difficult it is to select the perfect “shot.”

            When Stephanie called with my next assignment, she mentioned that I would be working for a prominent book editor with a reputation for being “tough.”  I took a breath, swallowed hard, and said, “Sure, I can handle that.” 

            Well, it turned out to be a fantastic week.  Yes, “K” was tough, but she was also very gracious thanking me for all my hard work. Throughout my stint there, I chatted with several authors whose work I’ve admired in addition to earning the trust of one of the leading women in publishing. I was also trusting myself and finally getting my confidence back.

            As the holidays approached, work in publishing began to slow down.  For a change of pace, I was asked to work in the Human Resource Dept. of a famous cosmetic firm that also had a chain of boutiques.  My tasks were primarily sorting through the endless new employee paperwork.  The writer/voyeur in me made the mundane interesting by imagining the lives of the people; what did they look like, how did someone who spoke five languages end up in this country managing a retail store, would they do well at their new jobs, etc.

            I eventually decided to submit my resume to the publishers where I had worked for my first assignment.  I liked the corporate culture; people were energized and focused on putting out a good product rather than the office politics of my former company.

            Almost two months later, after several interviews, I landed a job as an editorial assistant at a leading women’s magazine.  Since I’m starting over, I’ve had to take a paycut, but I consider it an investment in my happiness. 

            I learned a lot about myself while temping.  After so many years of predictability, I can handle myself very well when thrown into new situations; I don’t panic easily; and when you give your all (even when performing menial tasks), the people you work with are really appreciative.

            As I start my new job, I take those lessons with me for they are long-lasting and far from temporary.

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