Regaining control: Why temporary work can be your gateway back to work

Being out of work for any length of time can feel overwhelming, no matter the reason. Skills fade, confidence dips, and employers can often question long CV gaps. But here’s the good news: temporary work is one of the fastest ways to break that cycle. And contrary to what some may think or even feel, it’s not “settling” or “compromising”; in fact, this approach is about choosing control. Temping lets you:

• Start earning quickly without a long-term commitment.
• Rebuild your CV with fresh, relevant experience.
• Explore different roles and sectors before deciding on a permanent path or new direction.

Think of temp work as your first step back into the job market, and a low-risk way to regain momentum and confidence.

You decide when and where you work. Many temp roles offer shift-based schedules, so you can fit work around health appointments, care responsibilities, personal requirements or learning and development commitments.

Unlike permanent jobs that can take weeks and even months of interview cycles before securing a role and a start date, temp roles start within days. That means money in your pocket sooner, easing financial stress. 

Temping helps you update your skills and show employers you’re active and adaptable. Even short assignments demonstrate reliability and teamwork, qualities employers value.

Not sure if call centre, driving, engineering, warehousing, hospitality, cleaning or other options would suit you? Temping lets you test sectors and roles without locking you into a long contract.  

Many employers use temp roles as a gateway to permanent jobs. Prove yourself, and you could be offered a full-time position – though there’s no pressure to accept if temping is working for you.

There are a number of sectors that have a sustained high demand for temporary workers, including:

• Logistics/Warehousing (pickers, packers, forklift, van and LGV drivers)
• Engineering (mechanical and electrical service or maintenance engineers)
• Facilities & Cleaning (office cleaners, facilities maintenance and management assistants)
• Retail (retail assistants, sales associates, stock assistants)
• Hospitality & Catering (kitchen porters, catering assistants, waiting staff, chefs)

Sign up with reputable recruitment agencies or online platforms. They’ll handle employment checks and match you to suitable roles. Perhaps more importantly, they’ll be able to help you navigate this return to work, identify what sector or job would work best for you, and manage your temporary placements on an ongoing basis. They also act as a core support network throughout your temping career.

Focus on your transferable skills from your previous work history and your recent life experiences, such as reliability, teamwork, communication, organisation, punctuality, flexibility and motivation. Behaviour and motivational traits can be as important as work-based competencies. Add any certifications you have that are relevant for the role or sector you’re interested in (CSCS cards, manual handling, food hygiene, health and safety, to name just a few). Check out our CV writing tips guide.

Examples include:

• Restart Programme¹: providing tailored coaching for people in long-term unemployment.
• SWAPs (Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes)²: which give you access to short training, work experience and a guaranteed interview afterwards.
• Skills Bootcamps³: free, flexible courses (in a range of sectors including construction, HGV and care) with a guaranteed interview.

• Transport: If commuting is a challenge, there are options including the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card⁴ (which gives you up to 50% off rail/bus).
• Childcare: Universal Credit⁵ covers up to 85% of childcare costs, which may help towards planning for your return to work.
• Training costs: The Flexible Support Fund⁶ can help with essentials you need for employment, including work boots or short courses.

• Keep your own timesheet notes (start/end times, breaks).
• Compare your payslip against your records to ensure alignment.

• Ask for your hourly rate, holiday accrual, and payment schedule before starting.
• Clarify if overtime or weekend shifts pay extra.

• Many agencies can offer fixed days or block bookings if you request them, which is especially useful if you have childcare or transport constraints.

• Build a good relationship with your agency contact. They’ll often prioritise reliable workers for better shifts or longer assignments.

• Some temporary roles have short-notice cancellations. Ask what happens if a shift is cancelled; will you get partial pay or priority for the next booking?

• Add each assignment to your CV. Even short-term roles show employers you’re active and adaptable.

• If you have problems with pay or feel you have been treated poorly, start with your agency. If unresolved, Acas offers free advice and mediation.

• Ask about travel reimbursement or Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Cards if commuting is expensive.

• Some temp roles lead to permanent jobs. Signal your interest early if permanent employment is your goal.

Examples include:

• Skills Bootcamps (for construction, HGV, green skills sectors, and more).
• Multiply⁷ for numeracy confidence (the training helps with budgeting and maths literacy).

Use temp experience to apply for apprenticeships or full-time roles (if you want to that is).

Every assignment is a chance to build your CV and earn industry certifications that boost your chances of getting the best assignments in the future (examples include CSCS, food hygiene and care certificates, though every sector is different).