Is Temp Work Worth It? Why a Contract Role Can Be the Fastest Way In Right Now
If you have been holding out for a permanent role, you might be missing where much of the hiring is actually happening. Across the UK, employers are taking on temporary and contract staff faster than permanent ones. For a lot of job seekers, that makes temp work less of a fallback and more of a way in.
Why is temp work growing right now?
Because employers are uncertain. The KPMG and REC Report on Jobs, published in September 2026, found temporary billings rose for the fifth month in a row, at the second-fastest rate in more than three years. Permanent placements rose too, but only marginally, and for the first time since late 2022 (KPMG and REC).
When businesses aren't sure about the next twelve months, they avoid long-term commitments. Temporary and contract staff let them get the work done without the risk of a permanent hire. The same report found pay for temporary staff rising at one of its strongest rates in two years, as employers compete for people with the right skills.
Is a temp role a step back?
Not in this market. A temp or contract role gives you three things a job search on its own doesn't:
- Current experience. A recent, relevant role on your CV beats a growing gap.
- A paid audition. The employer sees how you work before deciding whether to hire you permanently, and you see how they work too.
- A foot in the door. Many permanent roles are filled by people already inside the organisation, including temps.
The main trade-offs are less security and, in some cases, fewer benefits. It helps to know the difference between the main types:
| Type | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Agency temp | A recruitment agency places you with a company and pays you | After 12 weeks in the same role, you get the same basic pay and conditions as permanent staff (gov.uk) |
| Fixed-term contract | You are employed directly for a set period | You shouldn't be treated less favourably than comparable permanent employees |
| Contractor or freelancer | You work through your own company or as self-employed | Higher day rates, but you handle your own tax, holidays and gaps between work |
How do you turn a temp role into a permanent job?
Treat it as a long interview, because it is one.
- Say you're interested early. Tell your manager and the agency in the first few weeks that you would like to be considered for a permanent role.
- Solve problems, not just tasks. Temps who fix something that has been annoying the team get remembered.
- Keep a record of your wins. Note what you improved or delivered. It is useful when the permanent conversation happens, and for your CV afterwards.
- Ask for feedback. It shows you are serious and tells you where you stand.
- Understand the fee. Some agencies charge employers a fee to take a temp on permanently. It rarely stops a good hire, but knowing about it helps you understand the timing.
How should temp work look on your CV?
Clear and grouped, so it reads as one coherent period of work rather than a list of short jobs. If you have had several assignments through one agency, list the agency as the employer and each assignment underneath:
Temporary assignments via [agency name], March 2026 to present
- Finance assistant, regional housing association (four months): cleared a three-month backlog of supplier invoices in six weeks.
- Accounts administrator, logistics firm (two months): covered month-end reconciliations during a staff absence.
Focus each entry on what you achieved. Short roles with clear outcomes are a strength, not a red flag. If there are gaps between assignments, that is normal too, as we explain in CV gaps are not career killers.
What should you check before accepting a temp role?
- The hourly or daily rate, and how holiday pay works
- The expected length of the assignment, and the notice on either side
- How you will be paid: directly by the agency, or through an umbrella company
- Whether there is a realistic chance of a permanent role
From 1 October 2026, employers must carry out right-to-work checks on agency workers, contractors and freelancers as well as employees (Personnel Today). Have your passport or share code ready when you register with an agency so it doesn't delay your start date.
Can you keep applying for permanent roles while temping?
Yes, and you should. A temp role takes the pressure off your finances, which usually makes you a stronger candidate elsewhere. Keep a steady flow of permanent applications going and track them properly. MyPathfinder's Application Tracker keeps every application, its status and your next step in one place, so a busy assignment doesn't mean losing track of your search. Our guide to quality versus quantity in your job search covers how many applications to aim for.
The bottom line
Temp work is growing because employers want to try before they buy. Use that. Take a role that builds relevant experience, make yourself visible, ask about permanent options early and keep your search going in the background. For many people right now, a good temp role is the fastest route to a permanent one.