Employers are increasingly looking for ways to maximise flexibility and to save money in their people resource–which means the interim and temporary market is booming. While permanent hiring is contracting at its fastest rate since the Christmas lockdown of 2020, temporary and interim employment has just hit a seven-month high, according to a new survey.

And it’s not just employers who are seeing the benefits of temporary and interim employment. The number of people working on a flexible basis in the UK is soaring. Whichever side of the interview desk you’re sitting on, there are several great reasons to consider interim and temporary employment.

In an era when we’re all looking for flexibility and freedom, more and more people are finding it in interim and temporary working. For employers, hiring an experienced and flexible resource saves time as well as money. And for both parties, it’s a great opportunity to add new skills and knowledge.

What is interim / temporary employment?

Interim / Temporary employment is hiring on a temporary, flexible basis, perhaps to cover a busy period like Christmas, to deliver a specific project (such as a system implementation or change management) or to cover the absence of a key employee (such as maternity leave, illness or covering an internal secondment)  . It comes in two varieties.

1. Fixed-term contracts

Temping on a fixed-term contract means working for a set period, on the client / employers payroll,  usually between 3 months and a year.

1. Interim / temporary contracts

This kind of flexible engagement is typically more ad-hoc and might cover a short one-off period, or a certain number of days or hours a week until a task, project or a set of deliverables is achieved. It doesn’t necessarily require a literal contract, although many freelancers do create contracts to protect the rights of everyone involved.

The benefits of temping

1. You’re in control

Temps and interims have been enjoying flexible work since long before it went mainstream. Temporary employment puts you in control of your career and makes it much easier to take career breaks or to fit work around your personal life.

Temping is certainly no longer just seen as a bridge to a permanent job–it’s a way of life in its own right.

2. You’ll grow your network

Now more than ever, networking is vital to your career success, and interim / temporary employment is a great way to make contacts in areas that interest you. Any of them could connect you to your next opportunity.

3. You’ll gain skills and experience

When you’re temping, continuous learning happens naturally. You’ll get to experience a wide range of roles, cultures, and systems, and build an impressive CV that will make employers want you.

4. You’ll get a foot in the door

Temping is a great way to “interview” potential employers, as well as showing them what you can do. Temporary / interim employment can often lead to a permanent job offer–and by the time it does, you’ll be clear on whether or not you want to accept it.

5. You’ll stay up to date

If you’re coming back to the workforce after a career break–or even if you’ve just been in the same role for a long time–you may find that your knowledge of processes and legislation is out of date. With temping, you’ll have no worries about staying relevant–you’ll quickly develop up-to-the-minute skills that make your CV stand out.

6. You’ll still have rights

Interim and temporary employment is safe and well-regulated– employers can’t just treat you however they like. Your rights are protected, you’re entitled to benefits like sick pay and holidays, and your employer legally has to make sure your working conditions are as good as those of your permanent colleagues.

Intrigued? Whether you’re a candidate or an employer, get in touch today for a free, friendly chat with one of our experts.

Author: Ian Machell | Profile | LinkedIn