Thinking about temping? Here are 5 reasons you should

In a job market rocked by a volatile economy and ongoing skills shortages, employers are pulling out all the stops to attract in-demand talent. And for some, temporary workers are an attractive solution: our 2025 Salary & Recruiting Trends guide revealed that a third (33%) of employers have hired temporary or contract workers in a bid to overcome skills gaps.

This is great news for temp professionals; opportunities are abundant and there’s potential to branch out into new areas of work or develop in-demand skills. Combined with the personal freedom on offer, it’s no wonder temping has never looked more tempting.

1. Take charge of your career

Temporary work gives you more control and autonomy over your professional path. Tired of waiting for opportunities to come to you? Actively seek out assignments that align with your interests, skills, and long-term goals, and shape your career trajectory as you see fit. With the autonomy that temp working offers, you can home in on what matters most to you in a role, whether that be a pay increase or a better work-life balance.

And remember, temporary work doesn’t have to just be a short-term solution; it can also serve as a bridge to permanent employment. The choice is yours.

2. Work to your own schedule

For many temp workers, flexibility is the watchword. You have the freedom to quickly move on to a different role, test the waters of a new industry, and ultimately find out what works for you.

You’re also in a position to choose a schedule that fits around your routine, creating a lifestyle that better suits your needs. This goes beyond just remote or hybrid working though: you could use your downtime between assignments to pursue personal interests, travel to new places, spend more time with your family, or learn new skills. Speaking of which...

3. Like change? Switch it up

... Temping can expose you to a variety of different industries, organisational structures, and ways of working. These varied experiences have the potential to not only enrich your career but also impart an impressive repertoire of skills. From acquiring technical expertise with new software to developing transferable soft skills such as project management, you’ll likely build an attention-grabbing CV.

Just remember to take advantage of each assignment to fully expand your knowledge and capabilities.

4. Grow your professional network

Making connections with other professionals is a vital part of advancing your career. And with the right mindset, the temp route is a networking goldmine. You could end up collaborating with professionals across different teams, organisations, and industries – all in the space of just a few months, or even weeks.

For temp workers in particular, having a strong network is an important safety net, adding an extra layer of resiliency to your long-term career prospects. You never know when a former colleague could help you with a reference, score new contracts, or even secure a perm position.

5. Stay in-demand

Whether you’re being hired to add your specialist knowledge to a product, cover for an absent employee, or help get a project over the final hurdle, temp workers are highly valued for the agility they offer organisations.In an era of work characterised by rapidly shifting demands and evolving projects, you’ll be best placed to seize a range of working opportunities across almost all industries. And as organisations across the board grapple with skills shortages, it’s truly a candidate’s game.

What are you waiting for?

As a temp worker, you don’t just have the opportunity to build a successful career, but to truly thrive as a professional. By understanding and leveraging the unique advantages of your temp position, you can excel in a dynamic and evolving employment landscape. Remember, you have the power to shape your own success.

Keen to step into temping? Explore our latest temp jobs. Alternatively, download the Hays app, an essential tool that will provide you with access to thousands of job opportunities and free online training courses to help you upskill – on the go, wherever you are.