I would appreciate any feedback on temp / contract jobs.

11 Comments

1. Rebecca A BrittDecember 9,2022 at 6:06PM UTC

   I've been temping/contracting for years. Love it but it is not for everyone.

   I am an LLC, so I post my company on LinkedIn and then add the clients (without names) as accomplishments (Created 100+ learning courses for Fortune 500 software company).

   Before I was an LLC I listed each agency as a "job" so I have 18 jobs. The only reason I did that is that I wanted to connect to people and LinkedIn originally needed you to have worked with them to connect.

   Feel free to look me up on LinkedIn to see how I did my profile.

   About a month before my contract ends, I start reaching out to my network--first to the agency that I'm with, asking if they have other roles. Then I email my other agencies, letting them know that I'm available for new roles beginning the following month.

   So far (knock wood) I've always had another job lined up before the old one ends. I've sometimes taken multiple part-time ones, and done a lot of nights and weekends--but that's the freelance life.

   I also try to bank extra $$$ to make sure I can cover a month that might be lean. For instance, my current role was scheduled to end 12/15 and I was going to take off...but now it's going til 1/15. I'm still saving my banked money because the agency wants to put me in another role but it doesn't start until 2/15. I'm also guessing I might take a small gig in-between or just BREATHE for a bit.

   I get that freelancing and temping isn't for everyone, but I feel way more control about my future.

2. AmyDecember 9,2022 at 6:24PM UTC

   When I was temping I added the temp co name to my resume. You can mention the company you are working with under that if it makes sense. Otherwise I entered title and responsibilities/achievements under the temp company name.

3. AnonymousDecember 9,2022 at 6:24PM UTC

   Yes! As a hiring manager, I say please add temp experience on your resume! It's valuable experience; feel free to add "Temporary Assignment" or similar language with the description. Something like "Temporary Administrative Assistant at Company X: Four month assignment (or contract, depending on the circumstances)", followed by a list of your duties

4. Crystal HowellDecember 9,2022 at 7:29PM UTC

   List the company, ABC Company Contract ended show the months

5. AnonymousDecember 9,2022 at 8:02PM UTC

   It is experience that will look good. It shows flexibility and the ability to learn quickly.

6. AnonymousDecember 9,2022 at 9:19PM UTC

   Yes, do add the temp job in your resume and it’s possible to place the assigned contractor company first then the temp agency after, for example: “XYZ Company through ABC Recruitment Agency.” You could also type your position title and choose to put a comma then type: TEMP

7. Gisele CloutierDecember 10,2022 at 1:49PM UTC

   Instead of "temp" you could write "contract position." Lots of people do contract work (including me.) It looks better than "temp" and it explains the short duration.

8. AnonymousDecember 11,2022 at 4:39AM UTC

   Yesss!

9. Lyn WelchDecember 10,2022 at 11:15PM UTC

   Of course you should include temp assignments on your resume - for the employer name, write "XYZ Company on a temp assignment through ABC Temp Agency.

10. Liz MilneDecember 21,2022 at 12:55AM UTC

    Yes, ^^^ this - make it clear on your CV: have a section titled Temp work, or similar and then detail all the relevant jobs, especially if they give you a good overview of your chosen industry - you can parlay that into being a total win, rather than the rather iffy look that temp work is sometimes given :)

11. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterDecember 12,2022 at 5:57PM UTC

    Absolutely, list your experience. Your employer should be the company.