Many job seekers believe that temping is not for them while searching for a job. Read on for a few reasons why temping may actually be beneficial to your job search.

If you’ve never temped before, you may be thinking of many reasons why you don’t want to temp while searching for a full time job. You don’t want to take time away from you job search. You don’t want to feel as if you’ve “given up.” You don’t want to talk about temping when people ask you what you do for a living. You’re afraid of being embarrassed in front of former co-workers. The list goes on and on.

There may be plenty of reasons why you don’t want to consider temping, but there are also a few reasons why temping may be a good idea during your job search, and may actually improve your chances of landing a job.

1. Getting paid can help you stay motivated.

Naturally, temping means a paycheck, which may be much-needed during a long job search. However, that paycheck may also benefit your job search by improving your mood. It may seem counterintuitive, but when you aren’t making any money, it’s easy to get depressed and not try as hard. And if money is very tight, you may be reluctant to use up ink, paper and postage sending resumes to lots of potential employers.

2. Many companies are hiring temps that are not hiring full-time employees now.

During economic downturn, companies may find it necessary to lay off some of their workforce. But a few months later, those same companies may be hurting for warm bodies to do much-needed work. They may turn to temp agencies to fill that gap until they are economically able to hire full-time employees again. This means getting your foot in the door of a company or industry that may not hire full time until they come out of a financial slump.

3. Temping can mean free training.

The agencies that place temps may be able to provide you with valuable training at no cost to you, which may come in handy during your job search. And on-the-job training is always beneficial as well.

4. Temping can mean good contacts and references.

Although the company where you temp may not be hiring right now, chances are that the managers there no someone who is. If you make a good impression, they may feel inclined to let you know about choice openings that come available in their buddies’ companies, and might even recommend you.

5. A temp position can be a long interview for a full-time job.

Although a company may not be hiring right now, chances are they will in the future. If you’ve done a good job, they may want to offer you a full-time position when they have the ability to do so. Additionally, due to the temporary position, you will have a better idea as to whether the company or industry would make a good fit for you, helping you to avoid costly mistakes during your job search.