Should you Consider Temping Between Full-time Jobs?

Many people enjoy temping because of the variety of challenges that they are presented with—so much so that they consider temping a full-time career. For those who prefer the stability of a permanent full-time position, temping can be a good way of transitioning between jobs, and can benefit people who are at the beginning of their career, too.

If you’re between jobs, temping can offer not only income, but also relevant work experience that can be added to your resume. Temporary work is a good way of showcasing your ability to adapt to new work situations, and of being able to interact with a wide variety of people.

Temporary work can provide additional benefits for people who are considering a career change. Many temping agencies offer highly specific placements, so choosing an agency that specializes in the type of work you want to do can be a great way of breaking into the field.

For college students or recent graduates who are uncertain of their career path, temping gives you two benefits. First, you’ll be able to list the work experience on your resume, which is particularly beneficial, since many graduates find they have limited work history when it comes time to start looking for a permanent position. Second, temping can help you decide what kind of work you want—or don’t want—to do when you graduate. Even better, you get this work experience and knowledge without having to make a long-term commitment to any single company.

Another important benefit of temporary work—for anyone—is that you’ll have an opportunity to network and create contacts in a variety of different companies. Having a wide-ranging network of professional contacts can be a very valuable tool for future job searches. In addition, up to 75% of people placed in temporary assignments receive offers of permanent work.

Temporary work also offers a great deal of flexibility, which permanent jobs simply do not provide. It is much easier to find the time to conduct a job search when temping than it is when employed in a full-time permanent position. It’s also much easier to stop working for a temping agency than it is to leave your permanent job.

If you do decide to try temping, either between jobs or to kick-start your career, make the most of it—consider each position an opportunity to gather information about the company you’re working for, and to make contacts that might prove valuable later in your career. Don’t, however, let that take priority over doing the job you’ve been employed for.

Related Link: Is Working From Home Right for You?

Also, please review our Tools to Find a Job section.  If you need more help, please consider using a Career Counselor.