Temporary jobs can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Some may find that temp jobs are a great way to get experience in many different office atmospheres; others may find that short-term positions can actually be a way to get noticed by an employer and land a permanent job. Many may simply pursue temp jobs as a way to get paid during bouts of unemployment.

Since temporary jobs often do not carry a direct correlation to one’s professional goals or development, many job seekers may feel that they are not worth listing on a resume. Even those who do think their temp work should be on their resume can find it difficult to list such momentary experiences on a CV. Whatever the case, this is employment that should never be ignored, especially for those looking to land something permanent.

Here are a few reasons why your temping experience can count on a resume a lot more than you think:

• Temp Jobs are Better Than a Total Gap

For many individuals, listing several temporary positions can make one feel that they are not reliable or cannot hold down a job. However, employers will be able to detect temp work—especially if it is done through an agency—and respect that you have made efforts to progress your career. Although employment gaps can be explained and dealt with in a professional manner, there is no reason to leave experience out—even if it was a job you only filled for a day, week or month.

• Temp Jobs Show Adaptability

Many people believe that temp employees are unskilled and are nothing more than seat fillers. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Temp agencies look for professionals who can easily adapt to roles and understand the feel of a company—even if they are just working there for the day. These employees have to be ready to take on various challenges, whether they involve answering phones, data entry, office administration or customer service. This versatility is great for professionals who are looking to land a job that requires cross-functional abilities.

• Temp Jobs Convey Communication Strengths

To be successful as a temp worker, you must not only have strong and constant communication with your agency, but also for those companies that take you on for a brief period of time. As noted above, temp workers do not have a lot of time to go through training; as such, these professionals must be able to take direction and listen to whoever is supervising them in the temporary role. This experience can be very attractive to potential employers when they see it on a resume, as it indicates that you are ready and confident to slip into a new position and offer effective communication.

Highlighting Temp Work on a Resume

When you have held multiple temporary positions, it can be a mess trying to list each experience in the work history portion of a resume. There are many ways to go about describing temp work on a resume without confusing the reader. For instance, those who have worked in the temporary field for most of their career may benefit from putting together a functional resume—or one that centers on skills and experience, rather than progression. Those who want to place their temp work on a chronological resume can take a tip from a recent Lifehacker article that suggests grouping these experiences together to “show stability.”

If you’re finding it difficult to explain or describe temp work on your resume or cover letter—you do not have to worry. Our team of professional writers at Chic Resumes is able to learn about your work through a one-on-one consultation in order to craft a polished resume that will reflect well with prospective employers. To get started, contact us today at (803) 831-7444 or resumewriting@grammarchic.net.

Amanda Clark

Amanda E. Clark  founded Grammar Chic in 2008. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds degrees in Journalism, Political Science, and English. She launched Grammar Chic after freelancing for several years while simultaneously leading marketing and advertising initiatives for several Fortune 500 companies.