Taking on a temporary role

Temping is a fantastic opportunity for you to take control of your career, and for some people, it’s the best decision they’ll ever make!

If you are tempted to boost your experiewnce through temping, we can help you to be prepared for what's to come.

It is important to remember that leaving a permanent role doesn’t come without risks, so don’t let yourself get caught out by thinking the grass is always greener for the life of a temp.

To help you make this decision, our experts share some important advice on what to think about if you’re considering the switch…

1. How will the change affect your lifestyle?

“When thinking about taking a temporary position, the impact on your lifestyle should be one of the most important things you consider,” says John Coughlan, consultant at Walters People.

“Depending on the location of the job, the type of role and if you have a fixed term contract (FTC) — you could be faced with a complete lifestyle change,” he explains. “Some temping roles might mean you have further to travel or differing contracted hours, you’ll need to factor in the impact this might have on personal life!

2. Do you have the right mentality?

“When considering a temporary role, you need to think about your motivations for taking on a temporary role rather than a permanent position,” says Sarah Owen, Director Walters People Dublin. It’s all about having the right reasons for taking on a temp role, she adds. “Is it to grow your experience in a new industry, fill a short-term gap between travelling learn and enhance your skills, or achieve a better work/life balance?"

Sarah Owen, Director Walters People explains: “If you’ve got the right mentality for temping, you’ll always want to give the best service to a business and make sure you become an invaluable member of the team regardless of how long your contract lasts.”

3. What impact does temping or contracting have on benefit packages?

“Depending on the type of position you take (temp or FTC), this could impact on the benefits you receive from your employer such as annual leave and medical cover. If the benefits of a new role are important to you, make sure you discuss them with your potential employer or recruitment consultant before making the switch,” advises Sarah.

4. Do you have all-important soft skills to take on varied work?

A positive attitude and willingness to learn are important soft-skill traits candidates looking for temporary roles need to possess. “On average, 70% of well-performing temps will be considered for a permanent role within the company when their contract ends. This is because of the soft-skills they possess, as these are the skills that really set them apart from the rest which allow them to adapt quickly to different working environments,” says Sarah.

5. What does this mean for your salary?

“The salary attached to temporary roles will largely depend on the nature of the role and the demands in the market at that time. It’s always advisable to ask a recruitment consultant or do your own research to find out what the role is worth and whether this is in line with your expectations. Depending on the nature of the role, you could be paid on a weekly or monthly basis which may or may not work with your cash flow”.

So…Should you take on a temporary role?

Temporary roles are great for those looking to gain experience across multiple roles and develp a varity of valuable soft skills. Temping offers you flexibility to switch jobs without being tied into a permanent contract, but it can also mean a lack of stability and foregoig soe of the benefits that permanent employees receive. Want to find out more?

Get in touch with one of our consultants for more information.