Temporary employment, better known as “temp work,” is a type of employment wherein workers are hired for temporary roles instead of being employed permanently. Temporary work may be as short as a few days to months or even up to years.
Temporary workers are usually hired on a fixed-term contract for a set period to handle seasonal demand, employment gaps, permanent employees on sick leave, or projects.
Staffing agencies, called temporary agencies, simultaneously hire temporary workers and act as intermediaries between the employer and the temporary employee. Such temp agencies are responsible for the recruitment, training, and sometimes even payroll of their temp workers.
Temporary roles exist in various industries, ranging from seasonal work jobs to high-skilled labor in sectors such as health, information technology, and finance. The gig economy, along with evolving employer requirements, is bringing more temporary roles into view.
But what is temporary employment really about, what makes it attractive as opposed to a permanent position, and why do so many people choose a temp role rather than a permanent one?
Table of Contents
There are many reasons why one would want to do temporary work. First, this is usually flexible employment. A temporary worker can choose jobs that fit their schedule, and it is especially good for people trying to juggle life, students, or others desiring an extra income.
It is also a very good route for job hunters to gain new skills in certain industries or roles. Temporary employment provides opportunities to build skills and experience, expand professional networks, and sometimes even lead to permanent work offers.
Temporary employees are cost effective for an employer’s short-term staffing needs. Companies can ramp up or scale down their workforce as demand fluctuates without necessarily having to commit to permanent employment.
While most people think of a temp job as low paying, some temporary roles can pay surprisingly well and bring many benefits – particularly for professionals with valuable skills or experience. The following are a few examples of high-paying temporary roles:
IT temporary jobs can pay pretty well, considering specialized streams such as software development, data analytics, or cybersecurity. In addition, companies need temporary IT employees who can help them support short-term projects, such as software implementation or system upgrades. Temporary IT jobs may have various pay rates, but experienced jobs will pay above average.
The health sector is another field that needs temporary workers, especially registered nurses. Hospitals and health centres often need temporary staff due to a worker shortage or seasonal changes that alter the number of patients.
It is easy to place nurses, such as travel nurses, in different locations with short-term contracts; they are usually well-paid and receive other advantages, such as house allowances.
Other health workers such as physiotherapists, radiologists, and pharmacists can also find high-paying temp bookings easily.
Graphic designers who maintain good portfolios can earn impressive remuneration, even on a temporary or contract basis. Many companies hire designers on a temporary basis for certain projects that might involve website development, marketing campaigns, or product launches.
Of course, rates for freelance or contract designers vary depending on experience and the type of contract work required, but the better ones can fetch very attractive compensation packages, even for a temporary position.
There are temporary positions in finance that pay well for accountants and financial analysts. Many companies hire temporary workers to help them with tax preparation, auditing, or other special projects like M&A.
Specializations like forensic accounting or corporate finance are in extremely high demand on the market and can pay really high wages for temporary employment, comparable to full-time employees.
Industries that require temporary project management positions include construction, IT, and engineering. A company can hire a project manager for the duration of time estimated to complete a particular project. Projects may range from launching a new product to managing a construction site.
With relevant certifications such as PRINCE2 or PMP, project managers can aspire to top temporary positions and earn pay comparable to permanent positions.
Temporary positions for legal professionals, such as paralegals, contract managers, or even attorneys, are growing rapidly, especially among corporate law firms.
Legal temporary work may range from contract review to litigation support. As the job requires specialization, the pay grade is usually high.
Executive assistants are instrumental in providing support to top-level management. There is also a need for temporary executive assistants who can fill the gap when a full-time employee is on leave, busy with other commitments, or during periods of increased work activity.
Highly experienced executive assistants with competences in managing complex schedules, maintaining confidentiality, and supporting senior management staff will receive competitive wages for their temporary services.
If you are a newcomer and are looking for temporary employment, then the following options might attract your attention. The following temporary job positions are flexible, encourage skill development a are relatively well paid:
A temporary role as an administrative assistant is some of the most common temporary jobs. This temp role involves clerk functions, including answering phones, filing, and organizing schedules. Most businesses need a good temp administrative assistant during their busy months, making this a decent outlet for temporary workers. It doesn’t pay all that great, but the office experience will be worth it, and there’s often an opportunity to get hired as permanent staff.
With many companies experiencing high seasons, often during holidays or in the summer, temporary customer service positions can be relatively easy to find. These temporary worker roles may be in retail, e-commerce, or even call centres and usually involve assisting customers with queries, placing orders, or resolving complaints. Pay rates vary; however, this is a good avenue for an entry-level job seeker looking for flexibility.
Temporary work in the events industry can range from being a waiter at a wedding to handling the registration process at a corporate conference. A temp worker involved in events is usually contracted temporarily through a recruitment agency and has flexible hours. The pay is moderate, but this type of temporary work is almost ideal for students or seasonal workers.
Warehouse and delivery job demand reaches its peak during periods such as Black Friday and the holiday season. Thousands of temporary workers are needed to pack merchandise, sort packages, and deliver orders. Though these jobs can be physically demanding, wages are paid weekly and are fairly good, especially when there is a possibility to work overtime.
Education is yet another sector with quite a number of part-time jobs. Tutors, especially those dealing in high-in-demand subjects such as mathematics or science, make money even on a part-time basis. Substitute teachers may also be needed as a temporary role, to look at shortfalls in schools, which is fulfilling for an individual who derives satisfaction from teaching others.
Temporary staff are often hired for retail companies during holiday seasons or sales events. The role of a temporary retail worker is diverse, from restocking shelves to operating the checkout, offering a range of experiences. While this work may not be a permanent role, it often offers flexible hours, making it an exciting prospect for those on a short-term job search.
Temporary work is often flexible for both temporary employees and employers. Whether it be flexibility, a different path in one’s career, or earning some extra money, the opportunities that temp work opens for job seekers are numerous among various industries. If you’re looking for a great or well-paid temporary job, the possibilities are endless, especially if you have relevant skills or experience.
