Travelling? In between jobs? Or just like a bit of variety! Temping in New Zealand is a great way to fill the gap for that flexible Kiwi adventure, if you're still figuring career things out or just like to avoid the traditional 9-5 work week. Whatever your reason, temp work offers a whole heap of advantages for people of all ages and walks of life. Take a look at our top 10 benefits below and see if temping is right for you!
1. Greater Flexibility – Your Life Your Choice!
Let's be honest, who hasn't dreamt of the ideal job that fits around their life, not the other way around? Temping offers you just that – the ultimate in flexibility. Want to take a month off to explore New Zealand? Need some of your weekdays free to pursue that passion project, study or hobbies? With temp work, you have the power to say "yes" to the jobs that suit your timeline and "no" to the ones that don't.
This flexibility opens the door to working intensely for a few and taking more than just the standard 4 weeks of annual leave, while easily incorporating other commitments such as study, volunteering and family into the mix. Temping can be the perfect way to build that perfect work/life balance, effectively putting you in the driver's seat!
2. More Variety – Try Before You Buy!
Exploring different industries and roles is a luxury not often available to those committing to permanent employment. If you have ever been curious about a particular industry but are not sure if it's right for you. Temping is the ideal way to try before you buy as it were. Take the opportunity to try out various roles (and workplaces) without the pressure or commitment of a permanent contract. This is perfect if you are unsure about your career path, want to know what the workplace culture is like at a certain business, or are just looking to make a career change you are uncertain about.
Imagine spending a few months working at a busy Auckland plumber's, then trying out a role in manufacturing in Christchurch. Each experience gives you valuable insight and experience into totally different work environments, company cultures, and daily tasks. It's a fantastic way to build a diverse skillset and figure out what your career goals truly are.
3. Knowledge Building – Expand Your Skills And Experience
Temp work is a fantastic way to rapidly expand your skill base and experience (especially helpful if your CV is a little lacking). Different temp jobs come with their own set of challenges (which are also opportunities!) you can use to learn and grow. You might find yourself trying out using new tools and industry-specific processes, learning new manual skills and working with a wide variety of people from all different trades and backgrounds.
While this type of on-the-spot learning is sometimes challenging, if you think of it as an accelerated learning curve, it becomes a valuable asset. In a permanent role, you might spend years restricted to one area of the business without the opportunity to push yourself and learn other areas. As a temp worker, you are constantly exposed to new situations, forcing you to adapt quickly and pick up new skills on the go. This makes you a much more versatile and attractive candidate for future opportunities, whether temporary or permanent.
4. Excellent Networking – Building Connections Is Valuable
New Zealand is a relatively small place, and you’d be surprised at how its professional network is sometimes quite significantly interconnected, not just within the same industry but cross-industry too. Temping throws you into different workplaces, exposing you to a wide range of people you might not otherwise meet in your daily life – and you never know where these connections might lead!
That friendly colleague on a short-term assignment could end up being your connection to your dream job down the track. Building a strong network is all about making positive impressions and keeping in touch with everyone, not just employers or bosses. Take advantage of the opportunity to expand your professional circle, you never know where it might lead.
5. Useful Bridging – A Stepping Stone To A Permanent Role?
For many people, temp work isn't just a temporary solution or gap filler. It can be a strategic move to working towards landing a permanent position within your preferred industry. Temping offers a low-risk way for you – and the client you are on assignment with – get to know how you will fit into their team culture.
So, the moral of the story is that if you impress during your temporary assignment, you could be the first point of contact if and when a permanent vacancy arises. Plus, you'll already have the added bonus of insider knowledge of the company and its operations, meaning you can hit the ground running (an advantage over external candidates).
6. More Competitive – Pay Rates That Impress!
Let’s be honest, the money ain't bad either! Temporary roles in New Zealand often come with very competitive hourly rates. This is partly because employers understand the flexibility you're providing and the fact that you might not have the security or additional benefits that often come with more permanent positions (though some temp agencies do offer these types of benefits too).
Depending on your experience, qualifications and skills and the industry, you might find that your hourly earnings as a temp worker are significantly higher than those of your permanent counterparts. The higher pay rates enable you to boost your income over the short term, which can be especially desirable if saving for your next trip away or looking at paying off debt.
7. Less Commitment – Greater Freedom!
Not everyone is looking for a job they'll stay in for years and years, maybe you're here on a working holiday visa and want to experience different parts of the country. Or perhaps you're a contractor who needs flexible income streams in between projects. Whatever the circumstances, temping offers the freedom of employment without the long-term commitment.
Knowing that your assignment has a defined end date can be quite freeing, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the current role without feeling trapped, burdened or restricted. When the contract is up, you're free to move on to the next adventure – no strings attached!
8. Extra Access – Get A Foot in the Door!
Those who are job hunting will be aware that sometimes, the job market in NZ can feel a bit like an exclusive club or closed up shop that requires a special password to enter! Without the right connections (sometimes it really is about who you know!) it can be difficult to even get noticed in the piles and piles of CVs that end up in a recruiter's inbox. This is especially true if you're new to the New Zealand job market or trying to break into a specific industry without the relevant background skills or education.
This is where trade-specific temp agencies are useful as they often have access to the elusive password, as it were. Even when roles are not advertised publicly, temp agencies often have the inside track to a variety of positions because they are known to the businesses in that industry. Registering with a reputable temp agency in NZ means you can tap into these hidden opportunities and make the most of their insider connections, giving you a foot in the door that you might not have found on your own.
9. Greater Variety – Keep Things Interesting!
If you dislike the idea of doing the same thing day in and day out, temp work could be your perfect match. Each new assignment brings fresh challenges, different people, and exciting opportunities to learn and grow.
You might find yourself working on a fast-paced commercial construction site one month and then assisting with a residential build the next. This constant change can keep things interesting, prevent boredom, and broaden your horizons in ways a permanent role may not.
10. Informed Decision-Making – Your Personal Journey Of Discovery!
Temping in New Zealand can be a powerful future-you tool for career planning. Experiencing different roles and industries firsthand provides you with a clearer understanding of what you truly value in a job, and what kind of work environment suits you best.
This valuable insight will help you make more informed decisions about your long-term career journey. You might discover a passion you never knew you had or realise the reality of a certain type of role isn't for you after all. This process of exploration and discovery will set you up for making more informed choices for a fulfilling and successful career in the long run.
Whether you're a recent arrival to NZ, a seasoned local, or simply someone seeking work experience, exploring the temp job market in NZ could be a game-changer. Looking for work in the construction trades, general labouring, manufacturing, automotive, traffic management or transport and logistics industries? Give Tradestaff a call, experts in temp recruitment, Tradestaff will get you started on the right track today!