The many advantages of temporary work, especially during a recession
Temporary work is a modern-day fact of life. Nearly everyone in the world of work has held a temporary position at some point in their careers. It may have been that first summer job during your education years, taking a role to cover a permanent employee who needs time away from work or a specific temporary role to cover a one-off initiative requiring a specific skill set.
Unfortunately, the world of temporary work is so often overlooked, yet it can not only be very appropriate for the candidate at a particular given time, but for many, can open otherwise closed doors.
In recessionary times, the demand for temporary workers increases dramatically, and if you are open-minded and aware of what temporary work can provide in terms of your career, you can be on to a winner. There is also the potential, should it be something you have in mind, of that temporary position turning into a permanent one.
During a recession staff within the Health, Social Care, Social Housing and Education sectors remain in very high demand and they can be great sectors to work in when there are potentially difficult economic years ahead in other sectors.
Sheer flexibility
There can be no doubt that one of temporary work’s biggest advantages is its flexibility. Many might think that having a temporary contract can be rather daunting. However, providing you are fully aware of what the contract entails, and you can complete it successfully, you can benefit from it enormously.
If you are starting on your career path, it can be a great eye-opener for you. It not only helps you gain an understanding of both the business and the field the business operates in, but also gives you valuable experience. If you are undecided as to your precise career path, it provides you with a paid-for opportunity to find out more. As well as gaining CV-friendly experience, you will find you have a great work-life balance created by the contracted hours the employer expects you to work. And if you are in the position, or of a mind to do so, you can, as an hourly-paid worker, increase your hours if offered the opportunity. All this is at your own choice, as you are in charge of your working hours.
Experience counts
The second big advantage of temporary work is the experience you will gain. Having varied expertise and skill sets under your belt makes you much more employable. It opens you up to a greater future selection of potential career roles and avoids the clichéd “to get a job you need experience, and to get the experience you need a job”. Temporary work is also great for gaining experience in an industry you may be thinking of joining full-time.
Practical experience can often count for much more than a qualification. If you can provide a wealth of skills, you are automatically much more employable. Any skills you have outside the core position could make you attractive to the employer as someone who could potentially upskill other employees.
The foot-in-the-door potential
You will find that there are many employers who have a similar mindset to yourself in that they want to try someone out. It’s a closed form of “probation period” that doesn’t involve a potential “no thank you” at the end. It’s also an excellent “foot in the door” opportunity for you. There is a very good chance that if you are interested and like the position, you could very well end up being offered it permanently. So don’t be that quick in turning down any offered temporary position. You could be unnecessarily putting yourself at a disadvantage.
The all-important pay and conditions
Many workers find the weekly pay schedule that comes with a temporary position helpful for their budgeting. Being paid more regularly than in a permanent position can be very useful. Certain temporary positions can also offer a higher rate of pay than that of a permanent role so you could also be quids in.
Finally, as a temporary worker, you have access to many of the legal rights and protection afforded to those of your colleagues in permanent employment – regular pay, holiday allowances, contributed pension scheme and sick pay, as well as identical working conditions to those of permanent employees.
At Vetro, we have hundreds of open temporary positions in the private and public sectors. You can view the hundreds of opportunities we have available, click here www.vetrorecruitment.co.uk/jobs. If you have any questions or looking for work and can't see a vacancy, feel free to give us a call 02921 660880.
