Thinking about temping this spring? Here are 5 reasons you should

In a skills-short job market backdropped by economic uncertainty, employers are pulling out all the stops to attract in-demand talent. And for many, temporary workers are an increasingly attractive solution: our latest salary guide revealed that almost half of UK employers (45%) were hiring temp or contract workers to overcome skill shortages (or 41% of employers in Ireland).

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 working in an organisation with stronger sustainability credentials.

And remember, temporary work is not just 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 could expose you to a variety of different industries, organisational structures, and ways of working. These varied experiences could not only enrich your career, but 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 in the new era of work, 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.

Explore our latest temp jobs across UK/Ireland and find your next role this summer.

And for our UK customers, the Hays app is the essential tool for temps: search thousands of opportunities to apply for and upskill via our free online training courses – on the go, wherever you are. Download our app today and create an account in seconds.