How to make the most of your temp work
Temp work can be an exciting way to explore new industries, meet different people, and build your skill set. Whether you’re using it as a stepping stone or as a flexible job option, there’s a lot you can gain from the experience. The key is making sure you’re maximising the opportunities that come with it.
In this latest blog post, we’re looking at the ways in which you can make the most of your temporary work. From approaching each new role with the right mindset to building your professional portfolio. Keep reading for useful tips and advice.
Approach temp work with a growth mindset
Every new role is a chance to learn new skills and enhance your work experience. By treating each assignment as an opportunity, you can make the most of your temporary work.
Transferable skills are a great benefit of temp work and building these skills will support in future job hunts; temporary or permanent, as well as in your working roles. For example, if you are looking for work in customer service, enhancing your communication skills will help you to excel in the role and is transferable to a variety of different roles.
Many temporary workers use the work as an opportunity as a way to build on their skill set and portfolio of experience, particularly those in education or those undergoing a career change.
TOP TIP: Take a moment after each temp assignment to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you can apply it in future roles. Keeping track of these new skills will help you present a strong case to future employers, whether you’re applying for a temp or permanent position.
Build your professional network
‘It’s who you know’ is a big part of temporary work, from industry contacts looking for last minute workers, to recruitment agencies with a wealth of knowledge and connections to make the most of.
Temporary jobs give you the opportunity to grow your network, introducing you to people in your chosen industry who can help you gain more work in the future, act as references for other positions, and support your skill set through training and experience.
Temp work also introduces you to new colleagues, helping to build your personal network as well as your professional one. For those who enjoy meeting new people and having new experiences in different environments, temping can be a huge benefit socially and mentally.
TOP TIP: Keep in regular contact with recruitment agencies and industry contacts to ensure you are at the top of the list should any new roles or opportunities come up.
Showcase your versatility
Temp work, particularly for those who choose to jump between industries and job roles, shows adaptability, and that you are the type of person who is willing to take on varied roles. Versatility is a desirable quality to have in the majority of industries and shouldn’t be undermined as a transferable skill.
Continued training and on-the-job qualifications are a great way to boost your adaptability. For example, for those in hospitality, having food service, bar and coffee training can be a big benefit to your job search as it shows you can be adaptable and support other teams if needed, which is common in hospitality. This is applicable to many jobs across multiple industries, such as driving, industrial and office roles.
TOP TIP: Regularly update your CV and recruitment profiles. Your skills and experience are a great selling point for yourself as a worker, so make sure to showcase this.
The best advice we can give temp workers?
Approach each day with a positive attitude and a commitment to doing your best work. Maintaining a strong work ethic reflects well on temporary workers as a whole, and can lead to future opportunities for you in the future. In temp work, every job is a stepping stone in your career; whether your goal is a permanent position in the future, continuing higher education or if you’re happy to continue to reap the benefits of temp work.
Every temp role offers a chance to grow, expand your network, and showcase what you can do. By staying open to learning and actively engaging with the job, you’ll set yourself up for future opportunities that might not have been on your radar before.