Hellobee Boards

You don't usually have to "sign" with an agency to get a temp job through one. I've had a bunch of temp jobs when I was between other jobs and it's usually pretty simple, you go and give them your resume and sometimes do a typing test or whatever, then they call you with jobs. Some are one day, some are longer like to cover maternity leave. I had one that was intended to cover a gap until they hired a position, but they liked me so I stayed on all summer until I went back to college (they even let me take a week of vacation and held the position for me until I came back). I'd call a couple of temp agencies and see what they require. Good luck!

ETA: I also worked for a catering company for a long time as a waitress in addition to my day job. It paid decently ($15/hr) and wasn't as annoying as I'd imagine waiting tables in a restaurant is. Also super flexible, they send out an email with a list of events and you sign up for the ones you can attend. It would have been decent money and an easy in-between job had I been doing it full-time.

When we moved, I started doing promotional work while I applied for FT jobs. I work professionally in nonprofit volunteer/event management so I was shocked at some of the pay rates. I did some test proctoring, handing out samples at the mall, running test drives at a big event, and even a few demo/sales type things. Pay usually ranged from $12-$25 an hour and varied in intensity from super simple (checking people in at a convention) to pretty exhausting (doing sales at a costco road show). I guess a lot of folks do it full-time and end up managing promotions as well.

If that is interesting to you at all, I'm happy to say more on where I found jobs, etc.

@regberadaisy: at the time I had a friend who also worked as a second job and let me know they were hiring. I went to one 'group interview' and filled out my tax form and was hired. I think if you call a few places and see if any of them are hiring you'll find at least one that is. The employees tend to be pretty transitory (college students, etc) so they often have 'rolling' hiring. I met some fun people doing it too. A lot of opera singers for some reason.

It's hard, I know! Why don't you want to do a temp agency? The one I worked with said that I was under no obligation to take any job they offered, and called me before handing my résumé out to anyone. Granted...they didn't help and I found a job elsewhere. But they weren't bad.

And, for what its worth, I talked with a few temp agencies and went through the process with one and was.. less than impressed with the job offerings they had. I easily made more $ nannying part-time (and the promo work) which was more fun - but obviously that depends on your area and the agency.