If you're going for a temporary position the questions you face are likely to be different and more focused on the impact you can have in the short term.

Sometimes these questions can be more direct, and appear intimidating as both sides are aware that the relationship, by definition, is a short term one. The wooing and creating impressions on the part of the interviewer, through not deliberate, may be missing from an interview for permanent staff.

A good opportunity
You might be going for a temporary position because you’re just looking for work – but even if you’re not, you may be tempted to relax and not take the interview seriously.

If you’re not a specialist contract worker or consultant, your temporary assignment could range to almost anything within an organisation from maternity cover, to seasonal staff and sickness cover..

Whatever the position is, if you take a longer term view, it is an excellent chance to get on the ‘inside’ of a company and make contacts that you could use later on.

When going through an agency
If you are going for an interview through a recruitment agency it’s likely that you will have had the outline contract and terms of employment already negotiated for you.

That doesn’t mean it’s a done deal – you should still be aiming to make a good impression. Your attitude will reflect well on the agency that sent you (ensuring that they continue to do their best for you – and will naturally make all the difference as to whether or not you get the job).

If you’re applying on your own
Most employers like to hold formal interviews for temporary positions, even though the period involved is no more than a matter of weeks or months.

This is a sign that they take the position seriously – and so should you.

This becomes even more apparent when you’re applying for a position that is important to the company where mistakes can cost customers or money. It may be that they want to satisfy themselves that you won’t disrupt the company or cause disharmony.

You may also have to prove that you’re somebody who can be trusted with sensitive company information.

Prepare For Your Interview
Take the time to check out their website and find out more. This will help you to show some enthusiasm about the position – even if you’re just between jobs.

Ask yourself what they are looking for and what you have to offer

Temporary workers have to fit in quickly – so you may be asked more personal and direct questions unlike a full timer who will be expected to take time to settle. Here are some examples:

• Tell me about yourself and your background
• Why should I hire you?
• Describe your personality.
• What made you choose to apply to this position?
• What kind of people do you like to work with?

Questions to ask
As with any interview, you might want to think about asking some questions when the time comes.

For example:

• What exactly are the job responsibilities?
• How many working hours per week?
• What are the company’s expectations?

Make sure you understand when you start and where you should go on the first day. You should receive a contract stating the salary, the working hours, the notice period (the amount of warning you need to give the company if you decide to leave) and your entitlement to holidays. Normally tax will be deducted from your salary before you receive the money.

Remember, even though you are not being considered for a regular position at this time, there is always the possibility that it just might work out well for both parties and the first step to making that happen is by taking the interview seriously and creating a good impression.