Recruitment agencies make the task of finding qualified employees simpler and more effective by allowing companies to free up the limited resources that would have otherwise gone to locating and screening new hires themselves. The reasons for using temporary workers are many and varied; in some cases it will be to cover illnesses or a maternity leave; in others, it may be something more serious as a company downsizing; and in seasonal industries, the use of temporary workers is much more extensive and relied upon.

Temporary recruitment is not just beneficial for employers, they are ideal for workers who are in need of immediate and short-term employment. Temp jobs typically have an immediate start and, in many cases, salary is formulated on a weekly basis. Naturally, this is ideal for those in need of more immediate and frequent payment cycles.

The types of people for whom temporary work may appeal most would be college students and those who find themselves in between jobs or careers.  However, it is important for all those undergoing the temporary recruitment process to remember that the jobs will always be temporary; expecting to be taken on permanently after the employment term has ended is not realistic, although it does happen.

For employers who are short on resources or are extremely selective about which candidates they take on as full-time employees, temporary recruitment is the ideal solution.  This will give you the opportunity to assess the employee in question, their skills and attributes and their ability to fit into the company. By doing this, it is possible for companies to build up a workforce of likeminded people who work well together in a productive and efficient manner.

For some employees, temporary recruiting is the perfect way to sample a wide variety of industries.  It can be a daunting challenge to leave the cozy confines of academia knowing exactly what field or industry you’d like to commit to, but for the population of us who aren’t so sure, the use of temporary recruitment agencies is a likely option to taste from a variety of industries or to simply buy some time while you’re deciding on one. 

It is important to take note, however, that while a short period of temporary work will look good on a résumé, as employers will appreciate--where appropriate—its diverse nature, undergoing temporary work for too long can make you appear uncertain, aimless and misdirected.

Temporary recruitment can be considered a beneficial arrangement for both employer and employee. The employee gets the benefits of ready pay and experience, while the employer gets a stop gap measure to fill a position on a temporary basis. This situation in some cases matures into an extended working relationship once a temp has proven their worth to the company.  However, this outcome is not guaranteed, and it is important for both parties to realize that employer and employee are using the recruitment services for different reasons; if this realization is made, both parties should look forward to a pleasant and mutually advantageous working relationship.