In their focus on finding long-term, full-time roles, many people overlook the benefits of short-term jobs. There are some common misconceptions that temporary work assignments are unstable or unlikely to lead to further opportunities. It’s a shame that this opinion is held but the only way to beat these opinions is to discuss the benefits of shorter contract work!
Temporary jobs can be just as rewarding and viable as permanent positions. In this blog, we explore some of the benefits of temp work in construction and why you should consider them as part of your employment pathway.
Learn New Skills Regularly
Every job will equip you with different skills and knowledge as time goes on but one of the greatest benefits short-term jobs offer is how frequently you get to learn new skills. In the course of a few months working temp construction jobs or Labourer jobs, you may end up working on several different job sites, all with different responsibilities.
This constant exposure and change might seem hard to adjust to at first but you will find yourself learning new skills far more quickly than someone in an equivalent but permanent position. An apprentice Builder or Carpenter might spend months doing the same task over and over again as it is just what the job requires, whereas a temp employee could work on several different projects, all of which teach them new skills.
Learning a variety of skills will not only give you more experiences and knowledge to draw on in future, but it can also improve your chances of securing a permanent role later on.
Widen Your Network
Ever heard the phrase, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”? Well, that applies in the construction industry as well. In addition to teaching you a variety of new skills, working temp jobs can help you widen your network of employers and connections.
The more people you know, the more opportunities you will be exposed to and the more chances you will have of landing a permanent job. You might even land further contracts in different companies as a result, and those could then lead to something permanent if it’s what you’re looking for.
Even if none of the people you meet lead to a role in the short-term, think of the experience as an investment in your future – you never know where people will end up, or when they’ll decide to give you a call.
Earn While You Explore a Career
Temp jobs aren’t just a way of filling a gap in your employment history or earning some extra money, they can be a wonderful opportunity to try out a new career before you decide to commit to it.
As well as gaining some on-the-job experience that can benefit you in the future, temp jobs offer a rare opportunity to learn something new and earn while you do it. If you have worked in a trade but not as a Builder, or a Project Manager, you could take on temporary contracts that help to get your foot in the door.
Work/Life Balance
While permanent jobs have the benefit of stability and security, they can require bigger commitments from employees. Between the time spent commuting and in the office, many employees have to build their lives around their jobs, sacrificing their spare time to pursue their hobbies and interests.
Although you will need to make commitments in a temp job, they only last as long as the role does – once the job is finished, your time is your own again. If you want to go on holiday or spend some time focusing on things that aren’t work-related, you don’t need to apply for leave or try and squeeze them into the few free hours you have outside of work.
A permanent position may be your eventual goal but temping can help you to shape those ambitions and determine where you want to be in the future. The bonus is that while you do that, you may have more freedom and a better work/life balance.
Obtain Current References
The final benefit of working temp jobs is that they can give you current references that will aid in your future job search. Whether you plan on staying in the industry or moving on to something else entirely, references are incredibly valuable for progressing in your career and securing better opportunities further down the line.
By working temp jobs, you can gain several references in a short space of time and these could make a major difference to the success of your future job search.
Summary
Although you may think that a permanent job is the right choice for your life and career, don’t overlook the benefits that temp jobs can offer. The ability to regularly learn new skills, widen your professional network, earn while you explore a career, obtain new references and maintain a better work/life balance are just some of the reasons why many people choose to make a career out of taking on different short-term jobs.
If you’re wondering if temporary jobs in construction might be right for you, get in touch with one of our team members at YourTrades. As specialists in construction recruitment, we can help connect you to some of the best employers in Queensland and help you start enjoying the benefits of temp work.
