How being a temp changed my lie

I never thought I’d say this, but signing up for temp work was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

At the time, it felt like a stopgap. I’d left a job that didn’t quite feel right, was staring down a dwindling bank account, and I had no clue what I actually wanted to do next. Enter: temping. Just a way to keep the lights on while I figured things out… or so I thought.

Turns out, temporary work did a lot more than just tide me over. It gave me the space to breathe, reset, and—ironically—find a bit of direction in all the unpredictability.

Here’s how being a temp changed my life:

1. I Discovered Skills I Didn't Know I Had
Every new placement threw me into something different. One week I was supporting a warehouse team, the next I was manning phones in a buzzing office. I had to adapt—quickly. And in doing so, I realised I was more capable than I’d given myself credit for. Communication, time management, problem-solving under pressure? Turns out, I’ve got those in spades.

2. I Built a Network Without Even Trying
You meet a lot of people as a temp. Managers, team leaders, fellow temps who become your tea break buddies. Some of those connections led to longer-term opportunities. Others just gave me a better understanding of different industries and how things tick. Either way, every chat, every colleague, added something to my professional toolkit.

3. I Found My Confidence Again
There’s something empowering about walking into a completely new environment and making it work. It’s a bit like skydiving, but with less wind and more spreadsheets. I’d leave each placement feeling a bit more confident, a bit more sure of what I bring to the table. And that spilled over into every other part of my life.

4. I Got Flexibility When I Needed It Most
Life isn’t always a straight line. I had personal stuff going on—family commitments, mental health wobbles, the usual curveballs—and temping gave me the flexibility to work around it all. I could take a break when I needed to, and jump back in when I was ready. That freedom was a lifeline.

5. It Led to Something Bigger
Eventually, one of those “just for now” jobs became something more permanent. But by that point, I wasn’t just taking any job—I knew what I wanted, and more importantly, what I didn’t. Temping gave me the chance to try before I buy, career-wise. And now I’m in a role I love, because I took the scenic route to get here.

 
So if you’re on the fence about temp work—give it a go. Whether it’s a stepping stone, a fresh start, or simply a way to keep things moving while you figure out your next move, it can be a game-changer.

It certainly was for me.