Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Consider a Move into Temporary Work

Temporary and contract work is one of the fastest-growing areas of recruitment, and this is only set to rise – the reason being that more and more candidates are considering temporary employment for a multitude of reasons. 

From a temporary Business Analyst needed to help complete a big project to a legal secretary covering maternity leave, the Australian temporary job market is thriving. 

A recent Hayes salary guide revealed that nearly a quarter (23%) of Australian businesses regularly employ temporary or contract staff, and 44% reported to use them for special projects or workloads. Casual workers now account for 22% of all employees, up from 20% four years ago. 

There has been a general shift across the world from the regular 9-5 into more flexible ways of working; this has been bolstered by our 24/7 lifestyles and ‘gig-economy’ work such as freelancing and contracting. 

First, I want to share with you some of the reasons behind the shift from traditional, towards a less stringent way of working and then I will talk about some of the benefits employees can reap from utilising temporary contracts.  

Changing Perceptions  

During my time as a recruiter, I have seen a drastic change in the way temporary and contract work is perceived.  

In the last five years, I have seen an astonishing increase in the number of candidates who are not only willing to consider temporary work, but they are actively looking for it.  

Whereas once temporary work might have been limited to only certain types of jobs, it now encompasses a vast range of employment; in fact, experts predict that the increase in temporary workers over the coming years will be most significant in IT departments where 37% of employers regularly use temporary employees.  

Flexible Lifestyles 

It was once considered that temporary or contract worker was less stable and therefore less desirable – it was sometimes regarded as a ‘last resort’ for employees who’s real goal was a full-time, permanent contract.  

While the 9-5 Monday-Friday model used to be the goal for many people, employees are now seeking out ways to make their careers more flexible, so that they can manage their career around their family life, and not have to struggle to fit one in around the other.  

It is now considered by many that the most popular type of career is one where you can pick and choose the times of the year or the length of contracts that you work with. This type of flexible working style is not just limited to freelancers; we have seen it across the board, with interim directors and C-suite roles.  

The Real Benefits of Temporary Work 

Let me explain in more detail how you can benefit from temporary work, and why it’s not just limited to junior positions.  

Temporary work is gaining popularity, and it doesn’t matter whether you are a contract IT worker or a Chief Financial Officer looking to take semi-retirement – you can benefit.  

Family Values 

The rise of the dual-career couple has signified one thing – that people who want to start a family are less prepared to sacrifice their career for it. They are finding new ways to be able to have it all – a progressing career and the ability to raise a family.  

Taking temporary work at intervals through the year is an excellent way for a dual-career couple to manage their work vs family life and with careful planning, it can allow both partners to take turns with parenting. 

A Career Change

As a recruiter, I often come into contact with people who have decided that now is the time in their life that they are going to change the direction of or to choose an entirely new career. This is becoming more common – the average worker will now change jobs 12 times throughout their working life, and while these changes are often a promotion or a different job within the same company, sometimes they are into a new field. 

Temporary and contract work is constructive for employees looking to gain experience in a new field, or to try out something new to see if it works for them. 

Executive and C-Suite 

Temporary and executive are not two words that you might expect to see in the same sentence, but the truth is that temporary executive and C-suite roles have been present in recruitment for years, but they go by a different name – interim.  

Interim directors provide temporary support to organisations, usually through a difficult period or a time of significant change like a merger or a takeover. Their expertise is essential, and they supply the business with critical strategies that the company could not internally manifest. An interim director is typically employed for between three and nine months, and these roles are perfect for more experienced senior employees who are looking to relax their career. 

Finally 

I hope this article has helped you to understand how the general consensus regarding temporary work has changed in the last few years. A wide range of employees will benefit from considering temporary work, as it can help both your career and your personal life to thrive in the way that you want.   

We have a range of options available to candidates who are considering temporary work, from IT support to executive roles, get in contact with us today to find out how we can help.