Tips

The Power of Taking a Gap Year

Gap year
Greta Cline, CFO
Greta Cline
Partner, CFO/COO
April 25, 2023
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Graduation season is upon us. You’re surrounded by people who seem to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. On the other hand, you’re still working on that decision. Is this something you can figure out as you move forward? Or, is it time to step back and take a good look inward? Maybe it’s time to consider a gap year.

A gap year is typically a point in your life journey where you postpone the big decisions – where you’re going to college, what you’re going to do for the rest of your life, what’s important to you – and give yourself time to figure things out. A gap year typically falls before or after college. But, it can occur at any point where you just want to regroup. Is a gap year right for you? Perhaps. If it was good enough for the president’s daughter, maybe it’s something you should consider.

Gap year advantages

Taking time off before college or a career commitment gives you a chance to focus on what you really want to do next. Let’s look at some of the advantages of taking a gap year:

You form new relationships. If you’ve been primarily surrounded by your peer group all your life, you can miss out on the wisdom of people you don’t normally rub shoulders with. A gap year allows you to begin creating a network of friends and colleagues who come from different backgrounds and points of view. By stepping outside of your comfortable circle, you may meet someone who helps you connect the dots to your own true passion.

You give yourself an extra year of experience. There’s something to be said for starting college or your professional life with an additional year of life experience. Gap years can force people to become more independent, especially if they are taking on the responsibility of paying for their own expenses or living within a budget. This unique perspective can help you focus on your priorities.

You save money. Let’s face it. College is expensive. If you’re undecided, you may want to postpone the first payment. Wait until you’re more certain about what you want to pursue.

You can develop soft skills. When we talk about work skills, you may automatically default to things you learn in a classroom, like creating databases, writing papers and programming computers. But successful professionals also must possess so-called soft skills, like communication, creativity, conflict resolution or adaptability. These skills can’t always be taught, although they must be learned. Giving yourself a year or so to learn these skills from coworkers and colleagues can add value to your next life chapter.

You find out what you don’t want to do. Many people go into college and their careers with someone else’s dreams. Maybe your parents encouraged you to pursue architecture because you made a mean Lego town. Or maybe you chose a journalism major because you like to write. If you plan accordingly, a gap year allows you to explore these careers without making a commitment. Sometimes an administrative job within a certain profession can open your eyes to the reality of the job. You may love what you see, or you may decide to pursue something else in the long run.

Filling in the gap (year)

Let’s be clear. Gap years are not synonymous with vacations. If you’re giving yourself an extra year or two to figure out what’s important, you are going to have to put in some work on your end. Use the gap year to expand your knowledge base. Become familiar with pertinent life skills like living within your means and shopping for the best automobile insurance rates. Look for professional opportunities that expose you to different people and careers.

That’s Good HR is a great partner for your gap year, because we have leads on many temporary or temp-to-hire positions in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas. These jobs aren’t a lifetime commitment – or even a permanent placement. Instead, they expose you to workplaces and professionals who can open your eyes to opportunities you may have never considered. Additionally, you can make money to fund your eventual dreams, whether they involve continuing education or moving to a new locale.

If you’re not quite ready to jump into college or the professional workplace, a gap year may be the right choice for you. That’s Good HR can help you find the right job opportunities to fill the year and make the most of this important investment. Remember, there’s no set rule about how to navigate your eventual career journey. If a gap year sounds right for you, let’s talk.

HR Insights

Summer Temp Jobs May Be the Right Fit for You!

Kirstia Cropper headshot.
Kirstia Cropper
Operations Manager
May 11, 2022
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Are you a teacher who wants to make a little extra income this summer? A new grad wanting to explore the Indy job scene? A student looking for internship credits? That’s Good HR has something for everyone with our summer temp jobs and temp-to-hire assignments. The summer months are the perfect time to try out a temporary assignment (or a few!) and get to know more about the thriving industries and top employers here in Indianapolis!

Temping as a teacher for the summer

As a teacher or school employee, one of the biggest perks is having your summers off. But whether you’re wanting to earn some extra cash or just getting bored, many teachers take on “gigs” during the summer. But you don’t have to take on the odd hours of driving for Uber or delivering for DoorDash. Temporary positions have an unfounded reputation for being entry-level or grunt work positions, but That’s Good HR has a number of temporary assignments in local offices and organizations that will allow you to maintain a full- or part-time job with dependable hours and great perks during your summer off. 

And after the extreme stress of the past few school years, many educators are considering joining “The Big Quit,” and our temp jobs are the perfect chance to check out other industries to see if something else may be the perfect fit for your skill set. A temporary assignment could also reinvigorate your love for the classroom and teach you new skills to bring back to school this fall! 

Trying summer temp jobs after graduation

Did you just graduate from college? Congratulations! If you are still looking for your first career — or want to explore your options before committing to a company — then a temp or temp-to-hire position may be the right fit for you. We work with many new grads to find the best assignments for their education and skills. Summer temp jobs can allow you to try out a variety of careers, and temp-to-hire can do the same, but with the added potential for full-time hiring at the end of your assignment. 

As our previous client Jessica Jordan explained, “Being able to work in different fields has been wonderful, especially when I was first starting my career and figuring out what career path I wanted to take. With That’s Good HR, I have worked in healthcare, IT, retail and construction. The companies I worked with were great, and I really enjoyed my coworkers.”

Working a temp job as an internship

Our hiring specialists have also worked with current students to turn their temp job into an internship. Students can look specifically for temp assignments in our open jobs, and you’ll only have to apply once through That’s Good HR! Let us know about the specifics of your internship program/needs, and we’ll review your resume with all open temp positions in mind. 

With permission from your college or professors, your internship credits can be signed off by our hiring specialists, and you’ll have all the benefits of a real-life temp assignment as your internship experience. Enjoy networking with local employers, work directly with a staffing specialist on your interview skills and learn more about the Indy job scene. And if you make a good impression at your temp assignment, there could be a good chance that they’ll keep you in mind for full-time positions once you graduate!

Are you ready to explore the local temp and temp-to-hire assignments available through That’s Good HR? Contact us today at 317-469-4141 to learn more or submit your resume!

Job Advice

Benefits of a Temp Job While Unemployed and Searching

Madison Schacht headshot.
Madison Schacht
Manager of Talent Acquisition
November 23, 2021
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Have you recently lost your job or left a toxic workplace? As you job hunt, you may be able to collect unemployment benefits, but the alternative of temporary work could be even more beneficial. Working with a staffing agency like That’s Good HR to find a temp job while unemployed and still searching may even help you find a permanent position quicker! Check out the many benefits to working a temp job while you continue your job search. 

Continue building your resume and skillset

If your job search goes on for a longer period of time, some individuals may be nervous about a gap in their resume. Temporary work can help fill in that gap. The skills and experience you gain from a temp job while unemployed can also add some great new features to your resume. And the flexibility of temporary work means that you’ll still have time to take that shiny new resume on a job interview whenever you need to!

Learn more about your field (or a new one)

At That’s Good HR, we focus primarily on placements for job seekers in the fields of HR, administrative, customer service, healthcare and accounting. If you’re already building a career in one of these fields, then the experience you gain at a temp job while unemployed could be a great benefit to your future. But if you are looking for a new career field, temporary work can be the perfect way to explore your options. With available placements from a variety of local employers, you might just discover a passion for something new. 

A temp job while unemployed could turn permanent

The staffing specialists at That’s Good HR can help you look for temp assignments, temp-to-hire arrangements and direct hire placements. A temp-to-hire position specifically could be the perfect fit for unemployed individuals still searching for something permanent. In this situation, we would match you with a local business for a set amount of time with an end date, which provides a natural time to assess the fit of the position for both parties. 

If both you and your employer feel comfortable with the temp-to-hire job becoming permanent, then you would move onto their official payroll, etc. If for some reason the assignment is not working out, or it is in the company’s best interest to keep the position temporary, our staffing specialists will work with you to find a new placement. 

Network with local employers

We’ve all heard the old adage “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Well, working in a temp job while unemployed is the ultimate way to network with fellow Hoosiers. Your employers can see your work ethic and skill set first hand, and you can get to know coworkers and managers in a professional setting beyond the typical hour-long interview. These relationships are obviously beneficial if you apply for a permanent position within that organization, and if you move forward with a job search elsewhere, you’ll have a number of new references for your applications or LinkedIn profile

Work directly with a staffing specialist

When you work with That’s Good HR, our staffing specialists truly care about you and have your best interest in mind during your search for either a temporary or permanent position. But you don’t just have to take our word for it. “I have really enjoyed working with my staffing specialist,” said recent candidate Jessica Jordan. “She has been so wonderful and thoughtful to work with. She listens to what I am looking for and has never pressured me to interview for a position I did not feel was a good fit. My happiness with an opportunity is equally important to her as the employer’s happiness.”

If you are ready to start your job search with That’s Good HR, you can submit your resume or contact us directly at 317-469-4141! We’d love to help you find the next step in your career. 

About TGHR

Myths about Temporary Jobs

Madison Schacht headshot.
Madison Schacht
Manager of Talent Acquisition
October 12, 2021
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Temporary Jobs

You’re out of work, but the bills keep coming in. Someone suggests a temporary position, and you react with a shudder. Myths abound about temporary jobs. People think they’re for people who can’t find real jobs. They assume temporary job placements don’t offer job security, benefits, or a future with the company. 

Most of the myths surrounding the temporary job market simply aren’t true. Temporary jobs can be the answer to your job hunting challenges. You won’t be alone – 16 million employees are in temporary or contract positions. A temporary job can offer flexible schedules or a chance to get your feet wet in a new industry. Let’s shatter some myths about temporary positions.

Temporary jobs aren’t professional

Temporary positions have a reputation for being the lowest on the employment ladder. People who have devoted years to education and work experience may fear a temporary position distracts them from their career goals. In fact, temporary positions may require top-level skills to jump into a company and contribute to the team. They give workers a chance to expand their professional network and get in front of industry decision-makers, which can open future doors.

Temporary jobs don’t offer benefits

Anyone who has shopped for healthcare insurances understands the importance of this job-related benefit. While temporary positions usually do not include company-paid healthcare insurance benefits, many staffing companies like That’s Good HR have in-house benefits for the temporary employees they place. 

Temporary jobs have no job security

Working in a temporary job gives you a chance to showcase your talents to a potential employer, which may lead to a permanent position. Employers want the best employees. If you are bringing your A-Game to the company each day, you’ll be in a much better position to showcase your skills and move to the front of the line when a permanent position opens. A temp-to-hire position is the perfect answer for someone who wants long-term employment. After a period of testing the waters, both the company and the temporary employee may agree they want to make the relationship permanent. Everyone wins!

Temporary jobs are for low-level tasks

Temporary positions have an unfounded reputation for being entry-level or grunt work positions. That’s not true. Many companies turn to temporary staffing for human resources positions, executive assistants, administrative work, or healthcare careers.

Temporary jobs are a last resort

Temporary jobs bring their own advantages to the workforce table. Maybe it’s time for a career change, or at least a career adjustment. Temporary jobs let you learn new skills firsthand, providing valuable experience for your resume. Temporary jobs can be a flexible solution for someone who does not want to commit to a full-time, year-round job commitment. They may be the right option for parents with schoolchildren, who want to be home during summers and school breaks. 

Don’t be afraid to check out temporary jobs during your job search. The myths aren’t true. Temporary jobs offer the all-important foot in the door to many industries. They can help you expand your professional network and pick up new professional skills. Keep an open mind as you check out the job board at That’s Good HR, which offers several temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent job placements. The match matters, and sometimes it’s the match you never would have considered otherwise. Want to learn more? Contact That’s Good HR now to find out how we can help you find the perfect match.

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