TempHunt

Last Updated on November 29, 2010

Temphunt: The Gist of it

Temphunt.com is a search engine to help companies and organizations find temp workers, part-time employees and temp-to-permanent workers.

People looking for temp work (the Temps) can fill out profiles with all of their information including: head-shots, headline, introduction, keywords/skills, links to social profiles, other links (including blogs, portfolios, online business cards), availability and how much they are willing to work for per hour.

Employers looking for temp workers (the Hunters) can perform a search by simply answering the question "What do you want your Temp to do?". Hunters can fill in answers such as "help me design my website" "create a social media experience", "trade show help", "filing" or anything else that they are looking for. The search will return the most relevant Temp profiles which the Hunter can browse through, click on a profile and then contact the Temp.

Once the Temp is contacted, it is up to him or her to reply to the Hunter as quickly as possible. At that point, they can negotiate whatever working conditions and terms they would like. There are no finder's fees or premiums on hourly wages.

The Need for Temphunt

Over the last few years, the economy has taken a downturn and many people have lost their jobs. Companies, being very conservative, are not hiring the way that they used to. At the same time, the temporary work industry began to grow as more workers have been turning to temp work; some as a last resort but many as an attractive choice.

Job websites have always put a major emphasis on full time employees and very little emphasis on temporary workers. Most job sites require employers to post a job and wait around for replies. The temporary worker industry has mainly been represented by temp agencies and staffing firms, which can be costly and require advance notice.

The idea of Temphunt is that employers should be able to search for the exact worker that they need, when they need the worker, without worrying about high costs and advance notice. On Temphunt, it is likely that a contacted temp will quickly reply and be able to begin work on the very same day

The Temp Industry

Companies are turning to temporary workers since there are no commitments and they can hire workers only when needed. For a temporary position to turn into a full time position, the employee must prove himself to the company. There is less likelihood of slacking off and water cooler discussion since the temps are unfamiliar with the social aspects of the office and are only there to do a specific job.

Professionals are now temping. Accountants, lawyers, managers and consultants are now taking on temp jobs. Temp workers are usually paid on par with full time workers and are even at times paid more than full time employees. Temping allows professionals to make their own schedules and work at multiple companies, essentially becoming consultants for hire.

College students are temping during their college semesters and vacations to get the experience they need to find jobs when they graduate. Temping also gives the students an opportunity to test out different companies and industries so that they can make better career decisions.

Secretaries, Labor workers, graphic designers, web developers, event staff and tradeshow help are all available as temp workers.

The Story Behind Temphunt

When I was growing up, I often worked temp jobs to make my spending money. I worked as a waiter, valet, secretary, telemarketer, fundraiser, bookkeeper and many other positions. I managed to find some jobs but would have liked a better way to find them. When I started working at my first full time job, I ran events and tradeshows where I always needed extra hands and could never find exactly what I was looking for. As I continued in my career, I noticed moreand more of a need for temporary help in different industries. Manufacturers, retail stores, hospitals, marketing firms, law firms and accounting firms all had holidays and busy seasons that required extra help.

Temp agencies and staffing firms charged a finder’s fee as well as an hourly premium and took some time to find temps. Online alternatives such as Craigslist turned out to be much too time consuming as I would have to wade through and follow up with hundreds of emails that read "I'm available, call me".

After experiencing both sides of the temp world, I decided that there had to be an easier and more cost and time effective way of finding temporary help and the idea for Temphunt was born.

The Launch of Temphunt

Temphunt was launched in Beta in New York City on Thanksgiving weekend, November 25th 2010. The service is available in all five boroughs and will be expanding into new cities shortly. For those that would like to have Temphunt available in their area, they can send in requests through the site.

Features

Temphunt.com is currently a very simple site. During the Beta phase, we will be testing out and launching new features constantly striving to improve the user experience. We will also be regularly reworking and tweaking the search algorithm based on how it is being used to make sure that the most relevant Temps are always found and that the Hunters have the easiest time finding the right Temps.

Temp Profiles

Temps can create a profile with the following information:

• Headshot
• Hourly Rate
• Headline
• Introduction/Elevator pitch
• Skills/Keywords used to describe themselves
• Social network links
• Other links including blogs, websites, portfolios, additional information about themselves
• Locations that they are willing to work
• Willingness to work full time
• Availability

Hunters

Anyone can use the search and browse the limited profiles that are returned. In order to click through to the complete temp profiles and contact the temps, they are required to sign up as a Hunter.

Search Engine

The search engine was developed to return the most relevant Temp profiles for any given search. There are many elements that are factored into the search equation including skills and keywords, availability, cost per hour and seriousness of the profile. Age of the profile, along with how recently it was updated and how complete it is all factor in.

Feedback and Contact us

Anyone can give feedback on the site or contact us through the “feedback” tab on the left side of the site or through our contact form at http://temphunt.com/contact.

Social Networks

Facebook http://facebook.com/temphunt

Twitter http://twitter.com/temphunt

Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/company/801926

Temphunt Blog http://temphunting.com

Youtube http://youtube.com/temphunter

How to Sign up as a Temp Screencast - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBwYpqWuvGw

How to find Temps on Temphunt as a Hunter Screencast - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0NsuzJGAjg

What:

Temphunt is a database of temp workers with a search engine that companies and organizations can use to quickly and easily find temporary and part time workers by answering the question “What do you want your Temp to do?”

Where:

Temphunt is available in New York City, including all boroughs and will be expanding to new cities shortly.

When:

Temphunt was launched on Thanksgiving weekend, November 25th 2010.

Why:

Temphunt was created to give companies and organizations a cost effective and time efficient way to find temporary and part time workers.