At some agencies, they will grill you so mercilessly it will put all regular full-time interviews to shame. At others, they will just ask you how soon you can start. Be prepared for either.
This is a real interview, so don't slack off!
Don't think that just because it's only a temp agency, you can be more relaxed and casual than usual. Let me get right to the point: wear a suit. This is not a suggestion -- it's a must if you want to be taken seriously. You might feel silly, especially if the other applicants in the waiting room are wearing jeans. But who do you think the interviewer is going to decide to send on the next available assignment with Big Name Client, Inc.?
All other standard interview etiquette applies here as well, so be sure to send a thank-you note.
You may be administered any or all of the following tests. They might also be sent to you via email before the actual interview.
The common sense test:
I'm not sure what else to call this one. Do things like tell the time, perform basic arithmetic, and follow strange series of instructions like: "In the middle of your paper, draw a triangle with one angle pointing down. Draw a semi-circle on top of the triangle with the rounded edge facing up. Does your drawing look like (a) an ice cream cone (b) a kite (c) a pear" and so on.
The computer skills tests:
Usually a typing test and a few of the Microsoft Office applications. The average score on these tests is horrible, so if you have computer skills, this is an easy way to impress the interviewer. If you're clueless about Microsoft Office, it wouldn't hurt to practice beforehand, since the "Help" function is, shockingly, disabled in the test.
The drugs and violence test:
A test which I think must exist only to weed out the very dumbest of applicants. Asks you hilariously incriminating questions, such as "How many times in the last week did you come to work drunk?" and "If a coworker hits me, it is okay for me to hit back. [agree completely] 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 [disagree completely]"
The workplace ethics test:
Similar to and sometimes combined with the drugs and violence test, this one spends several dozen questions trying to get you to admit you think it's okay to steal from your company. (Hint: Keep saying no.)
You will be asked, either verbally or by written checklist: what jobs you are willing to do, what jobs you are able to do, how far you are willing to commute, what schedules you are willing to work, and what the maximum length of assignment you'll accept is.
This is not a good time to lie!
Don't think it will make you more impressive if you list off a bunch of tasks you don't actually know how to do -- that will come back to bite you in the ass as soon as you're set up in a job with no training where you're expected to do those things.
Be honest about what jobs you're willing to take and how far you're willing to travel. It's true that you can turn down any job offered, but your temp agency will lose faith quickly if you turn down the first few assignments they offer you.
Give some thought to how long you're willing to spend in any one place. My maximum is three weeks, with the exception of one office that I like a lot. If you're more patient than I am and will accept jobs that last several months to a year, you can earn more money.
Remember that you can change your answers to this part of the interview at any time during your temping career. Just call up your staffing coordinator and let him or her know that you got a new car and can now travel 20 miles, or that you've decided to only take two-week assignments, or whatever.
There may be a spot on the application form for you to list any other agencies you've worked for, and what assignments they've sent you on.
If you have a history of temping, by all means, list your most impressive gigs. But don't panic if this is the first agency you've signed up with. Temping experience is not a requirement. Leave it blank.
You will probably be asked for exactly three professional references.
When you're young and don't have a lot of work experience, this is code for "Friends and family members who don't have qualms against lying." Wink wink. College professors also work, but if you went to a school anything like mine, your professors may have a brief glimmer of recognition in their eyes when they see you -- I'll be damned if they can remember your name or what kind of student you were.