Kelly Cultrara

To prevent burnout among temporary staff during peak seasons, you have to approach it with a number of strategies. I am a high volume temp manager by trade, and it always took a high level of organization, effective communication and the ability to constantly prioritize on the fly. You start with clear communication, setting realistic expectations. Temp is fast paced and transactional, but if you break it down into manageable pieces and timelines, it is actually very rewarding. Follow up and providing constant constructive feedback is also key. Individuals have to know where they fit in and how they contribute to the bigger picture. Controlling burnout requires encouragement, breaks and helping temporary employees feeling valued.

So much of asserting yourself comes from interview preparation and confidence. You know what you know, and by by articulating the knowledge, experience and accomplishments you bring to the table with genuine passion, you will certainly assert yourself. When I am conducting an interview, I look for what makes a person's eyes light up while they are talking - that's where true passion lies. Use confident body language by sitting up straight and maintaining eye contact. Don't just assert yourself with the position itself, but make sure you find a way to show how your values align with the company's values and you will definitely stand out

When struggling to find an internship in your field, I would still suggest exploring your options in related fields, or even offering to volunteer (if your situation permits), just to get some experience. Volunteering always provides worthwhile experience and helps you meet people and connections. Continue to build your network (and your skills) and always keep a positive outlook in the process. if you are in school, you're advisor should be able to provide additional resources, but you can also reach out to a local staffing agency. They are very connected and exist to connect talent and find people jobs (even temporary jobs), which are much like paid internships.

In my experience, it's easy to get comfortable or perhaps stagnant in the midpoint of your career. Utilizing career counseling to invigorate fresh ideas and fostering a growth mindset is the way to get to the next level. If you are not learning, you are not growing. Do some self work in preparation and have a specific goals in mind with key questions about potential challenges and how to handle them. Even if you absolutely love what you are doing, there is something to be gained by learning from others about ways to continuously grow.

I literally just did a training on this in my office. Our business is built on referrals and there is no better way to start a new client relationship, than with a great recommendation from a previous or existing client. Many of my recruiters will ask candidates for testimonials, which is wonderful as well, but it is the clients that engage and pay us to connect them to top talent, and there is real power in leveraging your current client network to endorse and refer you to other clients.