Temp jobs can be great resume builders in 2024’s changing economy. Not only do these jobs help workers stay afloat in times of need, but they also allow them to gain valuable experience within an industry.

According to a recent study by Trublu and Emsi, nearly 480,000 temporary jobs were added to the U.S. economy in the past seven years alone.

Employers are looking for more flexible staffing solutions. Employees must be willing to take temp jobs to gain experience and references.

Learning new skills can be difficult, but on-the-job training is sometimes the most effective.

Temp jobs are some of the best forms of employment for entry-level workers looking to gain experience. Military veterans or anyone looking to transition into a new sector of the working world are also prime applicants.

If you’re searching for temp jobs, keep these six standard options in mind.
 

Warehouse Associate
The most common forms of temporary employment are supply-chain-related.

Jobs like Warehouse Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers accounted for over 544,000 jobs in the U.S. in 2019. If you include packers, also often referred to as Warehouse Associates, that number jumps to well over 650,000.

If you have vital requirements, warehouse, and temporary jobs are some of the most readily available and reliable forms of employment.

Warehouse associate temporary positions are open year-round at companies like Amazon and UPS. However, seasonal employment surges around the holidays from September through the beginning of January.
 
Administrative Assistant
In 2019, there were around 118,000 temporary administrative/office assistant jobs in the U.S., making it one of the most common forms of temporary employment.

Administrative assistant jobs may require some office experience. However, they usually offer more excellent opportunities, including chances for full-time employment after the original temp contract expires.

The average pay for a temporary administrative assistant is also, on average, around $2/hour higher than that of a warehouse associate, with some administrative assistants making over $20/hour.


Human Resources Professional
Human resources temporary jobs are the best form of temporary employment. On average, temp HR professionals make over $16/hour, making this one of the highest-paying temporary jobs available.

HR jobs have a lot more to offer than many temporary employment options, including but not limited to bonuses, profit sharing, and commission structures.

Even better, temporary HR professionals gain valuable experience within an industry mainly dominated by full-time employees(who are paid very well as they gain experience). This means a more significant opportunity for placement in a full-time position post-temp contract.

HR temp jobs are much more likely to become careers than any other temporary employment. And the good news is specialized HR staffing agencies can be a massive help in finding work in the field, and contacting a recruiter is easier than ever.
Retail Associate

When the holiday shopping season is approaching, everyone knows retail stores are hiring. Increased traffic means a greater need for temporary employees.

Retail associate positions usually require little to no experience and can be a great start to the working world for entry-level employees.

Unfortunately, total seasonal employment has fallen yearly since 2013, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

With Amazon taking over, temporary retail associate positions have become less common. Many seasonal retail jobs have moved to warehouse positions, which are increasingly common in the modern era.
 
Uber/Lyft Driver

The total number of ride-share drivers worldwide is unknown, and estimates vary. However, in 2018 it was estimated that Lyft and Uber alone employ over 3.1 million people worldwide.

Becoming an Uber/Lyft driver is a simple process that anyone with a clean driving record and a car can get. The ease of access and flexibility of hours that ride-share services offer to make them worth mentioning on this list of temporary employment options.

I drove for Lyft during college to help pay the bills. What I found was that not only could I make solid money, but I could also network with people I gave rides to. That networking helped me land multiple ghostwriting gigs, which eventually led to the position I am in today.

People often look down on driving for ride-share services, but in my experience, employers like to see that you are willing to put in the hard work even when you cannot secure a better job.
Substitute Teacher

Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in the world. In 2019, over 40,000 substitute teachers were employed in the U.S. It is a privilege to educate the coming generations.

Temporary substitute teachers have become more common over the past few years due to full-time teacher shortages at many schools nationwide.

In the past, substitute teachers were required to have full teaching credentials; however, newer charter schools have less stringent requirements. Still, you must have at least a Bachelor’s degree to work as a substitute teacher. Fingerprint clearance and background checks are also required.

While getting a substitute teaching gig may be more challenging, the job is rewarding and may turn into a fruitful career in education.

In the coming years, as employers and employees look for increased flexibility in how and when they work, temporary jobs will continue to grow even as seasonal employment wanes.

So, temporary jobs are a great option, whether you want to start a new career or pay the bills.