Amber Rolfe
Don’t have a strong sense of responsibility? Why not try working as a temporary employee?
Whether hired to cover maternity leave or extended vacation time, or to provide extra support during busy periods (from Christmas and seasonal sales to redevelopments and large-scale projects), agency workers offer flexible help across a wide range of industries.
To help you decide which role is right for you, here are five of the best temporary jobs you can do right now.
Management/HR/Secretary
What they do: Temporary workers are particularly common in administrative, HR and secretarial fields, providing a wide range of administrative support. Their duties vary depending on the role, but may include everything from typing correspondence and organizing documents to dealing with visitors and scheduling meetings.
What you need: Good communication skills, a high level of computer literacy and a planned approach to work. A degree is not usually required as employers give preference to relevant skills and experience.
What you get: Salary will vary depending on the level and area of work, but will usually be in the range of around £12,000 to £30,000.
Best for: Someone who can make anything happen smoothly.
Our advice: If you’re struggling to land a temporary role in these fields, consider studying for a qualification. Industry-leading certifications such as CompTIA or CIPD, or other courses designed to quantify your computer or interpersonal skills, can say a lot about your abilities, especially if you don’t have much office experience.
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Truck/Light Truck Driver
What they do: You’ll drive vehicles ranging from articulated trucks and tankers to transporters and trailer wagons to transport and deliver goods between suppliers and customers. You’ll also be responsible for planning delivery schedules, completing paperwork, and other administrative tasks.
What you need: You’ll need good driving ability, knowledge of road safety and excellent concentration. You’ll spend most of your time on the road alone but also interacting with customers and suppliers so a good attitude is important. A full licence, Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) and vehicle specific HGV/LGV licence are mandatory.
What you get: Starting salary is around £18,000 but this can rise to £35,000 with experience.
Best for: People in need speed Drive safely and carefully.
Our advice: If you’re not sure where to start, an apprenticeship is a great way to get into this role. Most roles will provide you with on-the-job training, so previous experience, a heavy truck training certificate or a heavy vehicle driving licence will definitely be an advantage.
How to become a truck driver
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The role of retail
What they do: You’ll sell your own products and services and provide excellent customer service. You can provide wider support as a sales assistant or even specialise in a certain area (merchandising, purchasing, administration, etc.). But whatever you do, it’s absolutely essential to manage busy periods (see also: controlling angry shoppers).
What you need: Confidence, friendliness, patience and the ability to communicate with everyone. Knowledge of the products you sell is key to giving your customers the right advice. A natural knack for getting away with the “it can’t be scanned so it must be free” joke also helps.
What you get: This will depend on the role you take on: sales assistants can earn up to £16,000, while managers, merchandisers and buyers can earn over £40,000.
Best for: People who aren’t afraid of crowds.
Our advice: Retail employers care about your personality — that’s the key to standing out. So in your resume and cover letter, focus on examples of your soft skills and key attributes (like courtesy, friendliness and tenacity) and highlight any relevant experience (such as customer service work) that proves you’re a good fit.
How to become a sales assistant
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Part-time lecturer
What they do: You’ll work as a temporary substitute when a primary, middle school, or sixth grade teacher is unavailable. In addition to preparing lessons, teaching students, grading assignments, and other teaching responsibilities, you’ll also need to adapt your teaching methods to suit different schools, age groups, and situations.
What you need: Part-time lecturers need the same skills and qualifications as full-time lecturers, so in addition to having completed Initial Teacher Training (ITT), they are also expected to be innovative, creative and have organisational skills, but flexibility is also very important for the role.
What you get: Contingent teachers are paid on an hourly or daily rate calculated based on the salary they would earn if working full-time, which is usually between £20,000 and £30,000 per year.
Best for: People who want to go back to school.
Our advice: Becoming a fully qualified teacher is the first step towards becoming a part-time lecturer. To achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), you’ll need to undertake a one-year school- or college-based ITT programme. If you’ll be teaching at secondary level, you’ll also need a degree in your chosen subject. Gaining some teaching experience (for example as a teaching assistant) may also be helpful.
How to become a teacher
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Warehouse Worker
What they do: You’ll pick, pack and transport a variety of goods for major retailers, distributors and manufacturers. You may also be responsible for quality control checks, daily reports and inventory management. Temporary work in this industry is available throughout the year, but is most prevalent during busy periods (such as Christmas). Elf costumes are optional.
What you need: You’ll need to be physically fit and have a reliable (and fast) work ethic. You’ll also need to adhere to health and safety regulations, communicate effectively and work well in a team. No special qualifications are required to get started.
What you get: Temporary warehouse workers are usually paid on an hourly basis, with starting wages of around £12,000, which can rise to £20,000 with experience.
Best for: He’s really good at Tetris.
Our advice: Employers in this industry are not only looking for candidates who can prove they can excel at their job, but also those who can offer flexibility in terms of location, duties and working hours. After all, temporary work in this field requires you to carry out a variety of tasks (often during unsociable hours) under tight deadlines, so a can-do attitude is key. Relevant qualifications in warehouse work or forklift driving may also be helpful.
How to become a warehouse worker
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Honorable Mention: Carers, healthcare assistants, IT technicians, accountants, chefs, childcare workers, cleaners, carpenters, electricians.
Still searching for your ideal temp job? View all available temporary roles now
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