That is the question many employees ask themselves as they look into new avenues in their career. While these positions can help level up your career in a few weeks or months, they also come with intricacies that many don’t consider until it’s too late! To decide if one of these jobs is right for you, Top Applicant is sharing the pros and cons of temporary staffing near you in Chicago.
The Pros
According to the American Staffing Association, nearly 250,000 temp workers are employed each week across Illinois, with annual temp employment at over 1.2 million people. A large percentage of this workforce includes proud Chicagoans! As our contributors asked why workers enjoy temporary positions over full-time or part-time work, they found 3 common factors.
Flexibility
Temporary work often comes with much greater autonomy over your schedule. In temporary positions, you can choose when and where you work. This especially benefits military spouses and other career builders that don’t have space for traditional commitments. This flexibility also allows you to try out different work environments and potential career paths!
Skill Development
Workers also turn to temporary staffing to try new things. In a short-term role, you can gain exposure to opportunities in various roles and industries! Expanding your skill set can make your resume more attractive. If you’re considering a career change, looking into the best part-time careers make another great way to “try before you buy.”
Networking and Opportunities
One of the most undervalued opportunities in temporary work is the exposure employees get to a wider network of mentors and thought leaders! If you’re working in a temporary role, showing initiative to learn from your team can lead to possible career pathways, including permanent employment. Many of these roles make excellent stepping stones into full-time positions.
The Cons
While a temporary role can level up your career, our contributors also recognize a few flaws in this type of work. The main issues with this type of employment come from industry demands and the constraints that come with the temp-work territory. Consider these 3 drawbacks before applying to that temporary role!
Lack of Security
Temporary positions are, by nature, temporary. While many people enjoy the flexibility and unique opportunity that comes with these roles, working only temporary jobs is not a long term way to build your career.. Even in large markets like Chicago, natural ebbs and flows in demand can lead to periods of unemployment and financial instability. Planning your career only for the next few weeks or months doesn’t create a strategy for lifelong success.
What Benefits?
While some roles can come with limited benefits, the vast majority of these positions don’t include healthcare, PTO, or other perks that full-time employees have. For career builders that need stability and support beyond a paycheck, this arrangement can add unnecessary financial and emotional burdens.
Missing Connections
As a temp, your role may be isolated from permanent employees by design. If you prefer working as a lone wolf, this could suit you, but missing out on company culture can come with some unfortunate consequences.
Since it’s harder to foster strong relationships with co-workers, you may miss out on mentorship or deeper career development! In every stage of life, part-time work can be another viable option to build your skills while staying more connected.
Learn about this career path in our related read: The 3 Stages of Time Work
The Choice Is Yours, the Guidance Is Ours
Whether you’re looking for temporary staffing near Chicago, in Texas, or anywhere in the country, Top Applicant has the tools you need to put your best foot forward. Try our features for yourself by signing in, building your profile, and finding the right job for you!
