What is Temp Work?

Temp work is an abbreviation for “temporary work” and refers to an employment situation where the work is limited to a specific period. Roles vary and can be full-time, part-time, or fixed-term. Temporary employees are also sometimes referred to as contractual or seasonal workers, interim staff, or freelancers.

Short-term jobs offer an abundance of unique opportunities for development and success, whether it’s filling an employment gap or preparing you for permanent positions.

Read on to discover more about types of temp work, the benefits of short-term positions, and tips for optimizing your temporary position.

Types of Temp Work

There are many types of temporary work, but the following are some common types of temporary positions.

• Warehouse Associate
• Server
• Retail Clerk
• Customer Service Representative
• Office Assistant or Receptionist
• Sales Associate

Benefits of Temp Work

Temporary jobs offer a unique blend of advantages, including the following.

• Enjoying More Flexibility: Certain temp jobs come with flexible schedules, allowing you to tailor your work hours to your needs. Temporary positions are also the perfect solution for when you want to switch careers or pursue a new role within your industry while maintaining your current job. The flexibility of temporary work can tide you over during interims and allow you to hold two jobs at once as you manage transitions.
• Building Essential Skills: A temporary job can offer a wealth of experience in various industries or roles. The knowledge gained in a temporary role can make you more attractive to future employers as you add new skills to your resume and showcase your eagerness to learn.
• Growing Your Network: When you work in a variety of environments, you get to meet people from diverse backgrounds, giving you access to potential contacts in a variety of sectors. Your temporary coworkers form a robust professional network, and fostering a positive relationship with them can help you find more opportunities and provide valuable references for future job applications.
• Access to Permanent Positions: A temporary employment opportunity can give you the leverage you need to be hired for permanent positions within an organization. As a temp worker, you will get first-hand experience and gain critical knowledge of how a company functions. You will also get the chance to meet the hiring managers at the business and the opportunity to make a good impression. When a permanent position becomes available, this gives you an advantage over other candidates who don’t have the same connection and personal knowledge of the organization.
• Closing Career Gaps: Employers tend to look for continuous employment on your résumé. Temporary positions can fill in the gaps and show employers you’re motivated and willing to work, even if the temporary work in question is not directly related to your chosen profession.
• Test-Driving New Industries: Temp jobs are a great way to try out different roles and companies before committing. If you are new to the workforce and want to explore various industries before making a more permanent decision, working in temporary jobs can provide you with exposure that helps narrow your search. By embracing temp work, you can be more confident that a role is ideal for you before moving forward with a more permanent role.
• Providing A Psychological Boost: If you’ve been out of work for a while, a temporary position can give you the mental boost you need to know you’re capable of landing a job. It will also provide you with structure and a sense of meaning and purpose, bringing further clarity to your future goals.
• Keeping Current: If you are unemployed for any amount of time, your knowledge within a specific industry can quickly become outdated. Temporary work lets you keep your professional knowledge strong, allows you to stay up to date on the latest industry standards, and empowers you to learn new skills that can be of future use in your career.

Tips for Temp Work

• Choose Temporary Work That Aligns With Your Goals: Whenever possible, choose your temporary positions strategically. While the benefits of a paycheck might be your immediate need, you also need to ensure you’re gaining the long-term benefits that come from accessing the knowledge, skills, and relationships within your preferred industry.
• Give It Your All: Approach each task or project with the same commitment and drive that you would bring to a full-time job. Be punctual, positive, and ready to demonstrate your willingness to work hard and go the extra mile.
• Don’t Be Demanding: Even if the employer has hinted that your temporary position could turn into a permanent position, don’t pester your supervisors or co-workers for status updates. Be aware that it’s unusual for a temp job to become permanent in less than 90 days. And if you don’t acquire a permanent position, remember not to take it personally. There are always more opportunities ahead.
• Document Your Accomplishments: Keep track of your accomplishments and turn them into a portfolio of your contributions. Save emails that praise you and note your successes, so you have a robust file of personal recommendations in case your employer decides it needs someone permanently.
• Be Easy To Train: Take notes during your training and refer to them often.  Engage during the training process by asking relevant questions and identifying who you can turn to for help on the job to find more information. Most importantly, know who you can go to for help on the job and where to find information on your own so you can be as self-sufficient as possible.
• Know how to build rapport: Understand how to be friendly with both employees and managers without asking too personal questions or revealing too much about your own life. Keep things light and general and, as always, professional.
• Be Flexible: Temporary work is characterized by change, so you must be adaptable when it comes to transitions. Develop an adaptable attitude and be ready for constant change.
• Demonstrate Initiative: Highly motivated employees who can accomplish tasks independently are extremely desirable to employers. A strong initiative could be the difference between the company letting you go at the end of the trial period or hiring you full-time. 
• Learn As Much as You Can: Temporary jobs can not only teach you practical and industry-specific skills, but they can also teach you flexibility, patience, communication, and more. Be open to constantly learning and absorbing any information you can in every position you fill. Every job is an opportunity for growth, and temporary work allows for an even wider range of learning experiences.

Temporary work offers a host of benefits that can significantly enhance your career while also providing the freedom to achieve a proper work-life balance. It provides unparalleled flexibility while offering continuous learning and skill development, including official certification and qualifications.

In embracing the path of temporary work, you can achieve your career goals while retaining control over your schedule and priorities, unlocking a truly fulfilling working life. When it comes to temp work, the possibilities for the career and life you want are almost endless!

Are you seeking your next career opportunity? Perhaps temp work is the next right thing for you! At Career Concepts, we’ve been helping the right people find the right job for over 50 years. Contact us today, and let’s get started!