When we think about jobs and careers, we are naturally drawn to finding that perfect full time, permanent position that is going to give us the career and the stability that we need to survive in 2018. But sometimes, a permanent position is not always the best option, and temping can be a tempting route down the new career path that we are seeking.
What exactly is temping?
Temping or temporary work is a job that has no fixed term. It can be anywhere in duration from a day’s work to many month’s duration. Usually, it is based on an hourly rate of pay, paid weekly through an agency, and the hours can be either part-time or full-time. In essence, it is a fantastic way of earning a living whilst giving you the freedom to fit your lifestyle around your paid employment. Many employers recruit temporary workers to fulfil seasonal demand, cover permanent staff holidays or prolonged periods of absence and in some cases temping jobs come with a view to making the position a permanent job opportunity.
So, why would temping suit me?
There are many benefits to being a temporary worker. Younger people like the freedom it offers them. Temping could be a way to earn money to save for your next travel adventure or maybe fill the long summer months in between university terms. It is also a fantastic way to gain experience of a certain career type, company or industry that you are considering for a long-term career. Better to find out what you are suited to without having a history of job-hopping cluttering up your CV. For parents of young children, taking on temporary work during school term time means a regular income without the stress of finding childcare to cover the long school holidays. Older people that have reached retirement age but still want to remain active and earn some extra income find temping especially beneficial as they can pick and choose when they work, possibly earning enough to supplement a prolonged winter vacation or holiday abroad for the duration of the summer.
What types of temping jobs are there?
Temping jobs come in all different guises. Admittedly there are a lot more manual labour type temping jobs, as this is where seasonal demand comes in, but temporary positions can cover a very broad sector in the workplace from warehouse staff, to office admin, teaching positions, maternity cover at all levels and even senior management positions. The positions available depend on the demand for temporary cover in the workplace.
What is temp to perm and how can it benefit me?
Many companies look at temporary workers to fulfil positions in their organisations as a way to establish whether the worker is the right fit for both the job and the company and also whether the role actually requires a permanent person in it. For someone looking to change career direction temping or temp to perm is an excellent opportunity to test the water in a different role; find out what the role entails, what the opportunities are and whether you are going to find it both challenging and rewarding enough. You may find that the role is perfect for you, but the long-term career prospects of the company are not a match with yours. Having the opportunity to gain the experience through the temporary role may just give you the chance to pursue your new career path with a permanent position elsewhere.
Temping is a flexible solution to employment that can cover a multitude of careers and suit a vast cross-section of people. It gives freedom of choice and the opportunity to accommodate your work around your life. It opens doors and creates invaluable networking opportunities whilst still having the same benefits such as sick pay and holiday pay that permanent workers have. Our advice is to never turn down a temp role because you don’t know where and what it might lead to.
