Throughout my years of experience recruiting for temporary roles, I have seen temping transform from an interim measure to fill the time between permanent jobs, to a prolific springboard from

which to build a career.

From travellers with working holiday visas looking to fund their trips, to specialised professionals wanting to try something new, temp roles can benefit a wide range of people, providing unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to encounter a variety of new contacts, companies and environments. They can even launch you into a permanent position once you have proved yourself – I recently had a candidate who started in a 6-week temp role and was subsequently hired as a Policy Advisor. This isn’t a one off either – I see it happen regularly in my line of work!

Yet despite the seemingly transient nature of temp roles, some candidates underestimate the commitment needed to reap the rewards. The temping market is a small one, so maintaining a reputation for dedication and reliability will go a long way towards securing new opportunities in the future.

With this in mind, here are a few of my best tips for getting the most out of temping: 

•  Maintain good communication – Be upfront and clear with your recruiter and potential employer. Keep them informed of your priorities and availability, and let them know of any changes as they arise. We understand that some things are out of your control, so if you do need to turn down a temp role at short notice, contact your recruiter and be honest about the situation so we can help.

• Think of temping as a commitment – Approach a temp role the same way you would approach a permanent one – give it your all and do the best you can with the time you have in the assignment. Demonstrating your worth in this way increases the chances that the organisation will want to work with you again in the future, or even consider you for a longer-term role.

• Be proactive – When on a temp assignment, be proactive in adding your knowledge to the team and applying it to projects. After all, this expertise is the reason you were hired! The more value you can add to a role, the more likely you are to get further

         opportunities later down the track.

• Be open to other types of roles – Recruiters are experts at matching candidates with the right temp roles and will only put forward a candidate that meets the requirements. Sometimes we might suggest a role that takes you by surprise – be open to unexpected

         opportunities (provided you are comfortable), as you never know where they could lead.

• Think About Your Future Career – Many people think temp roles are merely short-term solutions but the exposure to different organisations that you get in these roles is a great way to gain new experience and discover which industries and jobs you enjoy most. This can help you determine what you want to do with your career moving forward.

It’s no secret that temping can unlock a range of exciting opportunities. For more advice on building a temping career or support with your temp job search, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – I’m always here to help.