Temporary work, often referred to as temp work, freelance gigs, or contract positions, is becoming increasingly common. Whether you were between jobs, seeking flexibility, or wanted to expand your experience in different fields, temporary work can provide valuable opportunities. But when it comes to writing your resume, you might wonder: How do you list temporary work on your resume without it looking inconsistent or unstable?
In this guide, we will break down the best strategies for presenting your temporary work in a polished, professional way. You’ll learn how to emphasize the skills you gained, showcase your adaptability, and demonstrate that these experiences contribute to your overall career progression.
Table of Contents
Why Listing Temporary Work on Your Resume is Important
It might seem like temporary work isn’t as valuable as permanent positions, but that’s far from the truth. Temporary work offers unique advantages that employers appreciate:
- Diverse Skill Set: Temporary jobs expose you to different roles, environments, and challenges. By listing them on your resume, you’re showing that you can adapt to various tasks and work settings.
- Demonstrates Flexibility: Employers love candidates who can quickly adjust to new circumstances. Listing temporary work highlights your ability to transition seamlessly from one role to another.
- Fills Employment Gaps: If you’ve had gaps in your employment history, listing temp work can show that you were still active in the job market and developing your skills.
- Relevant Experience: Sometimes, a temporary job can be directly relevant to the job you are applying for, and including it on your resume strengthens your qualifications.
Now that you know why it’s important to list temporary work, let’s dive into how to do it effectively.
1. Create a Separate Section for Temporary Work
If you’ve held multiple temporary positions, the best strategy is to create a separate section on your resume specifically for this type of work. Label it “Temporary Work,” “Freelance Experience,” or “Contract Assignments.” Grouping these roles together helps organize your resume and presents your temporary experience in a structured manner.
For example:
Temporary Work Experience
Various Assignments through ABC Staffing Agency
June 2021 – Present
- Provided administrative support for three high-profile projects.
- Managed customer relations for a leading telecommunications company.
- Developed social media strategies for a retail business that increased online engagement by 40%.
This format allows employers to see that your temporary work was ongoing, and it prevents your resume from looking cluttered with short-term jobs scattered throughout.
2. List Temporary Jobs Under the Same Employer (If Applicable)
In cases where you worked multiple temp jobs for one staffing agency, it’s a good idea to group these roles under the staffing agency’s name. This way, you can show a continuous period of employment, while still detailing the different roles you held.
Example:
ABC Staffing Agency, Chicago, IL
Administrative Assistant (Various Clients)
January 2020 – December 2022
- Assigned to multiple clients, performing tasks such as data entry, calendar management, and customer service.
- Supported an executive team for a three-month maternity leave cover, coordinating meetings and travel logistics.
- Trained in multiple software systems based on individual client needs, demonstrating adaptability to new tools.
Grouping your jobs under a single employer demonstrates stability, even though you held multiple short-term roles.
3. Highlight Achievements and Skills Gained
One common mistake people make when listing temporary work on their resume is failing to highlight achievements. Even if a job lasted for just a few months, employers still want to know what you accomplished during that time. Instead of listing responsibilities, focus on results and skills.
For example, instead of writing:
Temporary Receptionist at XYZ Corp
- Answered phones and scheduled appointments.
You could say:
Temporary Receptionist at XYZ Corp
- Managed a high-volume phone system and scheduled over 100 appointments per week, ensuring smooth office operations.
This version is more compelling because it shows you had a significant impact, even during a short assignment. It also helps shift the focus away from the temporary nature of the work and places it on your value as a professional.
4. Use Dates Strategically
The way you present dates on your resume can make a big difference in how your temporary work is perceived. To avoid the impression that you were jumping from one job to the next, group similar positions together when possible. If your temporary work was sporadic, consider using just the years rather than the exact months.
For example, instead of writing:
Customer Service Representative at DEF Corp
March 2021 – May 2021
Administrative Assistant at GHI Inc
July 2021 – October 2021
Group them under a relevant heading like “Customer Support Roles”:
Customer Support Roles (Temporary Assignments)
March 2021 – October 2021
- Worked across multiple companies providing high-level customer service and administrative support.
- Successfully adapted to various office environments and protocols, maintaining high customer satisfaction.
This approach makes your experience seem continuous and shows you were consistently developing your skills.
5. Emphasize Transferable Skills
One of the key benefits of temporary work is that it often requires quick learning and adaptability. When listing temp work on your resume, emphasize the transferable skills you gained, as these are often highly valuable to potential employers. Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied to many different jobs and industries.
For example:
- Adaptability: Thrived in fast-paced, changing environments.
- Time Management: Managed multiple deadlines simultaneously across different projects.
- Communication: Effectively communicated with clients and teams, both in-person and remotely.
- Problem-Solving: Quickly assessed and resolved operational challenges in unfamiliar settings.
Showing how these skills apply to the job you’re currently applying for makes your temporary experience more relevant and impactful.
6. Include Temporary Work in the Same Format as Permanent Roles
Another strategy is to list temporary work in the same section as your permanent roles, but simply label them as temporary. This works well when you have only held one or two temporary positions and want to integrate them seamlessly with the rest of your resume.
Example:
Marketing Coordinator (Temporary Assignment) at JKL Corp
February 2022 – April 2022
- Developed and executed marketing campaigns for a new product launch, resulting in a 20% increase in sales.
- Collaborated with the design team to create promotional materials that aligned with brand guidelines.
This method allows you to maintain a clean, consistent format across your resume, while still clearly indicating the temporary nature of the work.
7. Tailor Your Resume to the Job
As with any resume, you should always tailor your experience to the specific job you’re applying for. Review the job description closely and determine which of your temporary roles are most relevant to the position. You don’t need to list every temporary job you’ve ever had—focus on the ones that highlight the skills and experience the employer is looking for.
For instance, if you’re applying for a customer service position, emphasize your temporary roles in customer-facing positions. If you’re applying for a marketing role, focus on any marketing-related temp jobs you’ve held. Customizing your resume helps ensure that your temporary work supports your qualifications for the job.
8. Be Honest About the Nature of Temporary Work
Finally, honesty is crucial when listing temporary work on your resume. Don’t try to pass off a temporary role as a permanent one, and don’t leave out details that explain the nature of your work. Employers understand that many professionals take on temporary work for various reasons, and being upfront about it can actually work to your advantage.
Be clear in your job titles—use terms like “contract,” “temporary,” or “freelance” where appropriate. This transparency prevents any confusion or misinterpretation later in the hiring process.
Conclusion
Temporary work can be a valuable addition to your resume, showcasing your flexibility, adaptability, and diverse skill set. By organizing your temp work thoughtfully, highlighting your achievements, and emphasizing transferable skills, you can present your temporary roles in a way that enhances your overall career story.
Remember, the key to listing temporary work on your resume is to demonstrate how each role—no matter how short—contributed to your professional development. Now that you know how to list temporary work on your resume, you’re well-equipped to present your experience in the best possible light.
FAQs
Should I include temporary jobs on my resume?
Yes, including temporary jobs is important, especially if they helped you gain valuable skills or fill employment gaps. It demonstrates your adaptability, ability to quickly learn new tasks, and flexibility. Employers appreciate seeing that you remained active and continued developing professionally during these assignments.
How do I label temporary work on my resume?
Label your temporary work clearly by using terms like “Temporary,” “Contract,” or “Freelance” next to the job title. You can either create a separate section for temp roles or list them under the name of a staffing agency or company, depending on your situation.
Can I group multiple temporary jobs together on my resume?
Yes, if you’ve held several temporary jobs within a short period or through a staffing agency, it’s a good idea to group them together. This keeps your resume organized and avoids giving the impression that you were job-hopping. Simply list the roles under a relevant heading, such as “Temporary Assignments” or “Freelance Work.”
How do I describe my achievements in temporary jobs?
Focus on measurable results and transferable skills when describing your achievements. For instance, instead of just listing responsibilities, mention specific outcomes like increasing customer satisfaction or improving office efficiency. This approach highlights the value you brought to each role, even if it was short-term.
How should I format dates for temporary work?
When listing temporary jobs, use date ranges to indicate the duration, such as “March 2021 – June 2021.” If your temp work was sporadic, you can use only the years, such as “2021 – 2022,” to create a cleaner and more cohesive presentation.
Will listing temporary work make me look unreliable to employers?
No, temporary work doesn’t make you look unreliable if it’s presented correctly. Highlight the skills you gained, the responsibilities you handled, and the positive impact you had during your temp assignments. Grouping roles under one section and showing continuous professional development will make your resume look more cohesive.
Should I list all my temporary jobs, even if they were short?
You don’t need to list every single temporary job, especially if they were very short or not relevant to the position you’re applying for. Focus on temporary roles that allowed you to gain valuable skills or made a significant contribution. Tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for is key.
How do I explain frequent temporary jobs during an interview?
During an interview, explain that temporary roles helped you gain a broad range of experiences, enhance adaptability, and build transferable skills. Emphasize that you took on temporary work intentionally, whether to fill employment gaps, explore new industries, or gain specialized skills, and how those experiences make you a stronger candidate.