Temping in your 50s

[JumpingBackOn]

For a number of reasons I'm now going back to work in my mid-50s, ideally part time but will consider full time; probably for no more than a year or two while we sort some finances out.

My DH's business was doing well enough for me to scale back my freelance work in 2017, as my deadlines and targets were becoming increasingly unreasonable and I wanted to spend more time with our teens, one of whom was going through some difficulties (but is now thriving).

I really don't want to try and resume my old career - a friend is still doing it and is so stressed. Also the role requirements now seem to be a lot more technical.

Before I entered this career, which I did for 17 years, I temped with Office Angels for almost a year and really enjoyed it. In fact I entered my career through them, as I liked the company so much I asked them directly, and was lucky enough to be offered my dream job there (I was also temp of the month at one point!).

I really thought temping didn't exist anymore so I was pleasantly surprised to Google OA and find they're still going strong with loads of great reviews on Trustpilot. So I'm going to contact them tomorrow for a chat.

Before I did so though I wondered if anyone on here has temped or is temping at a similar age and how they're finding it.

What do the hours on NHS admin bank roles tend to be, especially the start times?

I wondered if anyone temping has experienced any ageism?

No, and my last permanent job at 63 came from a temp assignment. IME employers don't care about the age of temps - they care that you're reliable, calm, do the job and do it without fuss and drama. The good thing about encountering any 'isms is that a) you can hand in a week's notice and b) a decent agency will have your back - and will want to know.

I’m in the U.K. and get the role half the time. 😳 It can be demoralising too when they want to give you an assessment.

This is all very encouraging!

I've only ever gone with Office Angels (before I started my career) - are there any other good UK-wide agencies people can recommend?

I'm thinking of office, administration type roles, or personal assistant (if that still exists).

Hays have a wide variety of specialisms, as do Page Personnel.

The NHS Bank isn't a bank you join and get offered roles, you see a role in a local Trust and apply for it? They are advertised on Indeed.

I've got my CV on there and nobody has ever called me. Applied for two jobs. Never heard back.

I'm mystified as to how it works to be honest. I used to work in the NHS too.

I was told one year by my agency that I was in line for an NHS role. Called me and told me I'd got it months later when I'd pretty much forgotten about it (don't think I had an interview, either, it was a 'we need help NOW!!' situation).

Interested to read this as I'd really like to return to work and would prefer to temp and see how it goes after a very long career break. Also in my 50s and in London - I temped for a few years but it was even longer ago than you, @JumpingBackOn. I was doing general secretarial work but did then got a maternity leave cover job (applied directly) as an inhouse legal secretary and was able to temp doing that at a higher pay rate. But then I got another temporary job and then a permanent post.

I don't think it does work to be honest. I've NEVER heard back from a single job i've applied for on their.

Hi OP, I actually work as a senior manager for the Parent company of Office Angels so hopefully can assure you that temping is still going strong! Lots of work available for short, long term and day to day contracting and you can decide how much and little you would like to work. I can confidently say that the reliable, professional temps are never short of work in the administration field! To answer your previous question, you don't need NHS experience to work on bank staff, it's preferable but not essential, strong clerical and admin experience will suffice. You will however have to go through a lengthier registration process in line with the framework which supplies to the NHS 😊

Depending on location I think you would be looking at £12-£18 p/h depending on the specialist nature of the role

Thanks @Lyly86 and others, I'll be available later in the year and this is very encouraging. I think temping is exactly what I need.

Thanks for your encouragement! That's great to hear!

More casual and friendly from my recollection. They basically want to know if you can do the job and will fit in with their team.

Brook street, adecco and the ones which got me the private ones were Alexander Mann. Latter approached me.

Depending where you live try other agencies. You can spend forever registering though and never hearing back, that is a pita.

I agree with you here and that’s what I did/do. Just I didn’t feel I had to do in-depth research as most times they didn’t need it.

It’s a pity though, one project management team in NHS I wish I’d stayed but had got perm legal job (god that was hell!) they were such nice people.

Another tip. An ex legal sec family friend used to temp for a friend of hers and got jobs through word of mouth. If you can do the job that cuts out a lot of the agency side which some smaller companies don’t want to deal with. Ensure you’re covered re payment though.

We also used to use a small boutique agency for the law firm I worked for, for temps. It was either them or Reed and the boutique agency supplied some great temps. I found the boutique agency.

For agencies, a friend recommended unitemps (https://www.unitemps.com/) and has had several jobs through them. If you’re flexible in what you are looking for it could be worth looking at their website. (@elkiedee several of the jobs are in London as UCL recruits through them).

They are a temping agency for universities so university-based roles but I saw quite a variety of types of roles on there. I made a profile but then secured a permanent job (hurrah!) so never applied through them so no personal experience.

Another key question for me is what is the general dress code for these types of roles now?

Since 2009 I've been working from home until I took the break in 2017.

I'd like to think I'm groomed, but exist in jeans of various colours and mostly Baukjen tops in winter/spring, with trainers and a smartish puffa jacket from Jigsaw.

That wouldn't cut it in an office though would it?

If you Google admin jobs loads of temp vacancies via agencies come up (on the face of it) How many there are and how easy they are to get I don't know.

My organisation uses temps to cover mat leave and short term work and are treated like permanent staff.

Start polishing up your CV!

Another tip. An ex legal sec family friend used to temp for a friend of hers and got jobs through word of mouth. If you can do the job that cuts out a lot of the agency side which some smaller companies don’t want to deal with. Ensure you’re covered re payment though

YMYV but I'd never do this because you can be screwed over payment and holiday pay - plus who's paying your tax and NI? go through an agency and they do this as your employer and if they're any good at their job should have vetted the employer as well.

I was in a very similar position as you OP. Quit my stressful job and never thought I'd work again. Took a couple of years out then signed up with a temping agency just to see if there was still something in me left to give.

I have had nothing but positive experiences. My age has not been an issue at all - in fact I think life and work experience are viewed as assets, Companies want someone who can hit the ground running without needing lots of training or hand holding if the placement is just for a few weeks. Every time I have had my contracts extended, and I could easily have got permanent posts in all of my placements had I wanted them. I didn't stay because I found the work a bit dull. Until the last one. Loved it so much I decided to stay.

The joy of temping for me was knowing that if I didn't like it I was not tied down to it. The downside is the pay - barely above minimum wage.

Smart casual. I’ve worn black jeggings with smart jumpers.

Yes, but that’s what I meant. This person always went through the books, legal bookkeeper did all payroll stuff. I’d never work anywhere where they didn’t pay tax and NI.

As you probably know, if you’re put on emergency tax or taxed incorrectly then you get a tax rebate, in past few years have got two lots of £400/£500 in tax rebates due to agencies mess ups.

For me, to be fair, some agencies are great but some aren’t. They make a lot out of temps especially if you’re in longer contracts and some do not value their temps, which is why I tend to use better agencies now.

Thanks @calimali! That's good to know - can I ask what agency you use?

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain what shoes would you typically wear though?

I've been looking at M&S workwear online and I could probably cobble together something like these: