You've decided to give temping a try and have found an agency that appears to serve your needs. You've applied for a spot on their fleet of workers and they've agreed to take you on. So now what?

Most temp agencies have a surplus of drudge work, so if they can't find you a plum assignment your first day on the job, they can at least offer you a "temporary" temporary position. But don't worry - if you're looking for a computer technologies assignment, and they ask you to do some mindless number-crunching, feel free to say no. "Don't let them pressure you into an assignment," advised Jacqueline Johnson, who has more than ten years of temping experience.

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However, Johnson added that holding out indefinitely for the perfect placement isn't a good idea either. "Don't refuse too many assignments, because they'll think you're uncooperative and will stop calling," she said.

You also have to make sure you're being honest about your expectations and limitations with your agency contact. Obviously, you wouldn't want to volunteer for a position in a neighboring area if you don't have the requisite transportation, just as you should turn down a placement in a busy metropolitan area if you can't stand the subway.

Go with the flow as best you can
Like any new job, the first day as a temp on a new assignment is usually the hardest. Some temps find it helpful to make a cheat sheet detailing the employer's name, starting time, where to report, pay rate, and the agency contact.

Once you report for duty, you're likely to be given a specific task to accomplish, concrete instructions and a communal workspace. Don't be surprised if you are ignored by most of your coworkers - while permanent employees' animosity toward temporary workers is largely a media invention, an "us-and-them" mentality can, and has been known to, exist in the workplace, according to veteran temp Scott Verrastro.

Don't fret if you don't like a placement or feel the pay is too low. Bargain for a better rate or a more enjoyable placement. "Just as you need the job, they need you as well, so you have some leeway," said Johnson. So, if you're stuck answering phones or entering spreadsheet information when you'd rather be chatting with customers or configuring networks, let your agency know - but don't walk out on a bad assignment. Hang in for a few days until they can find you a replacement. Not only will your diligence prove to the agency that you're a dependable worker, it may prompt them to find you a more fitting position.

Lack of benefits is the main drawback
Verrastro has been a temp for 14 months. He said he values the flexibility of his work schedule, but also recognizes the down side of his employment choice: he's been without health insurance for more than a year. "The cons are having no benefits or sick days. Where I live, it's imperative to have a job with benefits, health insurance, and job security, as most can't afford to be without them for long," he said.

While more than 75 percent of the larger staffing firms offer health insurance, according to the American Staffing Association, a watchdog group that monitors the industry, only 15 percent of individuals choose to participate in the programs. No specific reasons for this low number were cited in their study. "It's most likely due to the inadequacy of the agencies' plans. They may not cover enough, or may still cost too much," said Verrastro. The agency he works for describes itself as a $3.7 billion international organization, yet it doesn't offer health insurance, even for its long-term employees.

In the future, job seekers may become more choosy about benefits. Gregory Booth, CEO and cofounder of Net-Temps, an online recruiting source, thinks the temp industry will offer more benefits over time. "You're going to see benefits become more portable from one staffing company to the next," he said. "Staffing companies are increasing their benefits at the same time that a lot of Fortune 500s are decreasing them."

While the future of temp benefits may look brighter, it's currently necessary for contingency workers to do some research into alternative sources. Some states subsidize health care to low-income workers, and certain people can qualify for a discounted plan through an HMO. If your spouse's or parent's employer offers health care, you may have the option to be added to that program for a fee. "The one reason you find people leaving the temp industry is to find jobs with health insurance," Johnson said. "That's the only drawback, because if you get sick and don't work, you don't get paid."

Most are not in it for the long haul
Many job seekers see the combination of schedule flexibility and a constantly changing work atmosphere as a professional alternative to the tedium and concreteness of working full-time. While flexibility, work diversity, and free training are generally considered some of the pros of temping, the generally vulnerable nature of employment is difficult for many people to adapt to.

On average, not many people temp for long. According to the American Staffing Association, the average length of time a temporary employee works with a staffing firm is 10 weeks, with less than 1 percent of the temporary work force remaining in their posts for the long term (defined by the Employment Policy Foundation as 24 months). Those workers who do stick around are more likely to be in jobs that offer benefits or loyalty gains. Statistically, long-term temps have other income or benefits sources (from a spouse or parent, for example), alleviating some of the financial stress that accompanies temping without benefits.

"I'm giving serious thought to going back and finishing my degree," said Johnson, an aspiring nurse. In the meantime, she qualifies for state-sponsored health care, which reduces her financial burden. And for now, she's not quite ready to leave her flexible work world. "I'll continue to temp in the meantime," she said.

Verrastro is looking to move out of the temporary work industry, if only to receive health insurance and other benefits. "I could see myself temping in the long term only if it's in a more affordable city," said Verrastro, who lives in Boston, Mass., a city well known for its high cost of living. "In a cheaper city, temping becomes much more convenient."

Your job satisfaction is likely to vary no matter what employment sector you're in. One person's dream job is another's worst nightmare. Due to the nature of temping, one day you're working, the next day you're watching soap operas if there are no assignments that appeal to you - and the anxieties around making ends meet may be exacerbated.

"Not everyone is cut out for temping," said Johnson. "Some people need the commitment from their employers."

- Regina Robo, Salary.com News Editor