The average job search in the US takes about 19 weeks.  That’s almost 4 months too long.  So when I got back to LA from my cross-country bicycle trip, my friend John had some good advice for me.  Hey, you can get to work right away through a temp agency.  (But hold on, that’s not the good part of the advice.) Most temp agencies will have you working right away, yes, counting the inventory on shelves and photocopying flyers (yes, I’ve tried this path before).

The good part of the advice is that there are temp agencies out there that specialize in YOUR skills (I know you have ‘em).  I signed up with TEK systems, Robert Half Technology, and Creative Circle which allowed me start interviewing for contract work right away and to start working within two weeks of arriving in LA.  The account managers have a strong incentive (ahem, commission) to place you in a suitable situation, where both you and the employer will be happy.  The contracts vary in length and are generally interesting work at reasonable rates.  And the upsides are that you get to work sooner, you get to experience different organizations and cultures, and you get to build your resume with a varied set of experiences and (hopefully) new skills.