What kinds of skills and experiences will be finding the most regular temp work in 2012?

If you're considering temporary work for the coming year, what can you do to make sure you're the one we think of first when a new assignment comes in?

If you're a confident, out-going person, then temping can be an excellent and fun career where you can meet lots of people and enjoy new experiences every day. Being a good temp is all about flexibility. You have to be chameleon-like, adapting and changing to different environments all the time and that's not always easy.

Flexibility is the key to being a successful temp. It's not just about being flexible in terms of when you start on a new assignment, either. If you want the work to keep coming your way, you need to be flexible in terms of the rate you're paid for short term assignments; and the role you have. Someone who is flexible and adaptable makes a successful temp. Reliability is the key, as is loyalty. It is important for you to keep your skills constantly updated whether through experience or training to ensure you receive the best job opportunities and pay rates.

It's really important to keep in touch with us. Have your mobile switched on so that we can keep in touch with you. Temps need to be able to communicate fast. Key to success is keeping in touch with us. Tell us if you move house, give us your email address or any new contact numbers.

It's crucial to be punctual, reliable and presentable, and to have a highly professional attitude.

Companies and organisations won't bring a temp in unless they really need one. You always need to be willing to go that extra mile as a temp. Temps are an expensive resource, and so need to give 100%.

How can people prepare for pre employment testing situations?

Preparation is vital for any pre employment testing, arrive early to your appointment, check out various testing facilities on the internet, if you are being tested for your keyboard skills – typing and data entry - practice, take your time and read all the questions thoroughly. Keep calm, ensure you have a glass of water. If you are doing psychometric testing, preparation is difficult – but once again remain calm and ensure that you read the questions thoroughly and have that all important glass of water.

Protect your privacy with your online job search

Job search privacy is an important issue for anyone who uses the Internet to job search, and that's most people. In fact, it's almost impossible to job search without going online. Personal information has been stolen from job sites and there many companies who prey on unsuspecting job seekers. There are, however, some things you can do to protect your privacy when you're job searching. If you're careful, you'll be able to conduct an online job search while keeping your personal information confidential.

Don't Share Confidential Information
Never include the following on your resume, in your cover letters, in email, or in accounts you set up on job sites.
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number
• Driver’s License Number
• Bank Account Number
• Credit Card Information
• PayPal Account Number
• Mother's Maiden Name
• Spouse's Name

How to Protect Your Privacy
You can help protect your online privacy by taking the time to set up accounts (email accounts and user names/passwords) to use just for your job search. Don't mix your personal or work information with your job search accounts. The more separate you keep them; the easier it is to protect your confidential information.

Email Address
Use a dedicated email address just for your job search. It will not only help you protect your privacy, it will help you keep track of your job search correspondence and applications. Free email accounts like Gmail, are available, and with web-based email you can check your email from anywhere.

Job Site Logins
Don't use the same login information that you use for your personal online accounts (i.e. your banking or shopping). Use a different user name and password for the job search and career networking sites you use.

Email Messages
Be wary of phishing emails from fraudulent employers. Double-check to make sure the company and the job posting are legitimate by visiting the company web site (rather than clicking on the link in the email) and review the company (the "About Us" section is a good place to start) and the job listing. If you're not sure, research the company online before you respond.

On the Phone
Be just as careful on the phone as you are with email. Don't give out any personal information - legitimate employers don't need it and won't be asking for it.

Keep Track
Keep track of everywhere you post your resume, along with your user name and passwords. Tools like JibberJobber are available that will track where you have sent your resume, as well as communications with your contacts.

Don't Share Information
Do not share any confidential information with a potential employer unless you are absolutely sure they are legitimate (and don't count email-only correspondence as valid communications). Employers don't need your social security until they hire you.

Check out the Company
Take the time to thoroughly check out the company. Review the warning signs to watch for, if you're having reservations about whether this is the company for you.

Avoid Scams
Avoid scams by researching job listings and companies before you apply. One quick way to check is to Google the company name plus scam ("company abc scam") to see if there are any complaints.