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Recently, after struggling for a long period of time to find a job, I started going to a temporary labor service(Labor Ready), to get work. So far, it's worked pretty well. On an average week I'll make between $150-200, or so it's seemed, if I'm able to go in when they open every weekday morning.

For those who don't know, Labor Ready works by initially, taking a test called Tescor, assuming you pass, you fill out the rest of the application, and that's it, you're cleared to work for them. You then go into the Labor Ready office, and sign a sign-in sheet when they open(for best chances), or at your liberty. Then, a customer calls in a work ticket, and the person working the desk at LR assigns people to it, and sends them out.

I've been doing this since the beginning of September, and so far it's been alright. I'm just wondering, if anyone has experience(say, over a year at least), of working through a similar service. I mainly want to know if it will be enough to cover the cost of living, because personally, I prefer it over some other full time job, where I'm doing the same thing every day, and probably not something I enjoy. I'd much rather have the variety and freedom that LR offers. I know that this inherently sacrifices some "job security", in that I can't be *sure* that I'll get a job on a given day. But, will it be enough? I will quite possibly be moving out on my own in the next couple months, and while I know LR will definitely keep me alright for a few weeks, a month or two, I need to know how good my chances are to sustain myself over say, a year or two.

Any input appreciated

I don't think I understand! You get picked to do manual labour and it works on a first-come-first-serve basis?

I think I'm on the wrong track...

$150-200 a week is *not* going to sustain you for very long, unless you live in a trailer park (and even then, it probably costs more than that to live). If you can make that much in a day then I'd say it's worth it.

There's also the concern of having years of that on your resume. Would that not show that you can't commit and are not loyal to your job?

Basically, yes. It's not completely first come first serve, as having a car comes into play, as does reliability and any relevant skills you have. People in the LR office get priority, if nobody is there they call people who have signed in but left.

And yeah, I figured as much Jeku. The way I figure I'll end up doing it is if I continue having trouble securing a full time job, I'll try to get a part-time night job and continue to do LR on top of it. One thing I have to fall back on for now, is that when I move out here soon, me and my brother are splitting costs for wherever we live, probably a simple two bedroom apt.

I would watch out trying to work night shifts and another day job at the same time - I know people who've done it and it wipes them out. There's always the risk of being too tired, making mistakes and getting potentially fired from both jobs.

Yeah I know. Through LR I've worked a couple times going from an evening shift, straight to an overnight shift, and straight into a morning shift. Painful, but gotta do what you gotta do.

I agree, but don't get comfortable. Use it while looking for a real job, because 200 a week can't buy you love.

Brian.