How to choose a good temporary job offer? 7 questions to ask your recruiter

The job ad looks great. The rate is specific, the start date is immediate, and the recruiter says the spots are filling up fast. The decision is made within minutes. Only on site do you find out that the shifts are completely different, the commute takes an hour, and nobody knows who to turn to with a problem.

Situations like this can be avoided.

For many people, temporary work is a quick way to start working in Poland, change industries or earn extra money during the season. To make it a good choice, ask your recruiter a few simple questions before you decide. A reliable recruiter will answer them without any trouble, and you will know exactly what you are agreeing to.

What is temporary work?

With temporary work, you sign a contract with a temporary work agency, but you work at another company — the so-called user employer. It is the user employer who assigns your tasks and organises your work on site, while the agency is responsible, among other things, for the contract and for paying your salary.

A temporary worker should not be treated worse than the employees the company hired directly in a comparable position when it comes to working conditions. That is why it is so important to know exactly which conditions apply before you start.

Why ask questions before signing the contract?

A conversation with a recruiter often lasts only a few minutes. In that time it is hard to remember all the information, and some details are not mentioned at all. Candidates do not ask because they do not want to seem indecisive or are afraid of losing the offer.

Meanwhile, it is the details that decide whether a job turns out to be a good choice. Shift start times, how you get to work, the payment date or the accommodation conditions have a big impact on everyday life. If you only learn about them on site, it is easy to get disappointed and quit quickly.

Questions are not a sign of distrust. They show that you take the job seriously and want to stay in it for a long time. For a good recruiter, this is valuable information.

7 questions to ask your recruiter

1. What exactly will I be doing?

A job title is not enough. “Production worker” at one company means working on a conveyor line, and at another it means operating a machine or packing goods. Ask for the duties to be described: whether the work is standing or sitting, whether you have to lift heavy loads, and whether experience is required.

2. Where and during what hours?

Ask for the exact address of the workplace, the shift system, and the start and end times. Check how you will get to each shift, especially if it starts early in the morning or ends late at night.

3. How much will I earn and when will I be paid?

Confirm the rate and whether it is net or gross. Also ask about the payment date, the possibility of an advance, bonuses and allowances. If your earnings depend on output, ask what exactly determines the amount.

4. What type of contract, and for how long?

Make sure what kind of contract it is and for what period it is concluded. Read the contract before you start work, not after your first day. If anything is unclear, ask for it to be explained in simple language, including in your native language if the agency offers that.

5. What about the commute and accommodation?

If you are coming from another city or country, ask whether the employer or agency provides accommodation and transport, and on what terms. It is important to know whether the accommodation is paid, how many people share one room, and whether there is an extra charge if you arrange your own housing.

6. Who is my coordinator?

Questions about your schedule, documents, pay or accommodation can come up on site. Ask who your coordinator will be, how to contact them and in what language you can communicate.

7. What does the first day look like?

The first day goes more smoothly when you know what to expect. Ask about the time and place of the meeting, the health and safety (BHP) training, work clothing and footwear, and the documents you need to bring with you.

How to recognise a reliable agency?

Besides questions about the offer itself, it is worth checking who you are signing the contract with. A few simple signs help you tell whether an agency operates honestly:

• the agency should be entered in the register of employment agencies (KRAZ), which you can check yourself,
• the agency should not charge you a fee for referring you to work,
• the terms of employment should be confirmed in writing before you start work,
• the recruiter answers questions specifically and does not push you to decide immediately.

If any of these points raises doubts, stop and clarify. It is better to spend a day clearing up the terms than to change jobs later.

What to watch out for in job ads?

Most temporary job offers are reliable. Still, it is worth knowing the signals that should make you ask additional questions:

• a rate much higher than similar offers in the same region, with no explanation of what it depends on,
• no information about the workplace, the type of contract or a contact person,
• a request to transfer money before arrival or before starting work,
• pressure to decide immediately and no time to read the documents,
• promises that the recruiter does not want to confirm in writing.

If you notice any of these signals, you do not have to turn the offer down straight away. Ask your questions and ask for the terms to be confirmed. A reliable agency will have no problem with that.

Write down the answers

It is best to take notes during the conversation or right after it. You can also ask the recruiter to send the key information in a message. This makes it easier to compare several offers and to go back to the arrangements when questions come up.

If anything is unclear, ask again. That is perfectly normal, and nobody should be offended by it.

You do not have to do it alone

At KONO, a recruiter will help you choose an offer, understand the working conditions and prepare for the next steps of the process.
See the current job offers or get in touch with us.