Should You Include Temp Jobs on Your Resume? Exploring the Pros and Cons with Examples

When it comes to crafting a compelling resume, job seekers often grapple with the question of whether or not to include temporary positions. Temp jobs, also known as contract or freelance work, can be a valuable addition to your resume when handled strategically. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of including temp jobs on your resume, and provide you with examples to help you make an informed decision.

Pros of Including Temp Jobs on Your Resume

1. Showcases Versatility: Including temporary positions on your resume can highlight your ability to adapt to different work environments and industries. This can be a strong selling point, especially if you’re pursuing a career in a dynamic field where adaptability is valued.Example: Suppose you’re a marketing professional who has taken on short-term freelance projects in industries ranging from tech startups to healthcare. Highlighting this on your resume can demonstrate your flexibility and adaptability.
2. Fills Employment Gaps: Temp jobs can help fill gaps in your employment history. If you’ve experienced periods of unemployment, including temporary work can show potential employers that you’ve been proactive in staying engaged in your field.Example: Let’s say you took a six-month break to travel, but you also completed a couple of freelance writing projects during that time. Mentioning these gigs on your resume can help explain the gap and show your commitment to your craft.
3. Demonstrates Skills and Accomplishments: Temporary positions often involve project-based work, where you can showcase specific skills and achievements. This can be particularly beneficial when you want to emphasize your expertise in a particular area.Example: If you worked as a freelance web developer for a few months, you can use your resume to detail the projects you completed, the technologies you used, and the impact your work had on clients’ websites.
4. Expands Your Network: Temp jobs can introduce you to a broader professional network. Highlighting these experiences can demonstrate your ability to build relationships, collaborate effectively, and possibly bring valuable connections to your new employer.Example: Suppose you worked as a freelance event planner for various clients. You can mention how you established strong vendor relationships, negotiated contracts, and successfully executed events, all of which involved networking.

Cons of Including Temp Jobs on Your Resume

1. Perceived Job Hopping: Including too many short-term positions on your resume may lead potential employers to perceive you as a job hopper. This can raise concerns about your commitment to a long-term role.Example: If you’ve had five different temp jobs in the past year, it might be seen as a lack of stability.
2. Relevance Matters: Not all temp jobs are equally relevant to your career goals. Including unrelated or inconsequential roles can clutter your resume and dilute your professional narrative.Example: If you’re pursuing a career in finance and you include a summer gig as a lifeguard, it may not add value to your resume.
3. Limited Benefits for High-Level Professionals: Senior executives or professionals with extensive experience might find that listing temp jobs from early in their careers is unnecessary. In such cases, it’s often more beneficial to focus on more recent and relevant positions.Example: If you’re a seasoned marketing director, including a brief stint as an entry-level marketing assistant from 15 years ago may not be essential.
4. Space Constraints: If your resume is already extensive, including every temp job could make it excessively long. A lengthy resume may deter hiring managers from reading it thoroughly.Example: If your resume spans multiple pages and includes numerous temp jobs, consider condensing or omitting some to maintain brevity.

Examples of How to Include Temp Jobs on Your Resume

Now that we’ve discussed the pros and cons, let’s look at two examples of how to incorporate temp jobs effectively into your resume.

[Your Name]
[Contact Information]

**Objective**: [Your career goal or objective]

**Education**: [Your educational background]

**Relevant Experience**:

- Marketing Intern, XYZ Company, Summer 2022
   - Conducted market research, analyzed consumer data, and contributed to the development of marketing campaigns.
   - [List specific achievements or contributions]

- Freelance Content Writer, Self-Employed, March 2021 - August 2022
   - Wrote SEO-optimized articles for various clients in industries such as technology, healthcare, and finance.
   - [List specific achievements or contributions]

**Additional Experience**:

- Sales Associate, ABC Retail Store, Summers 2019 and 2020
   - [List relevant responsibilities and accomplishments]

**Skills**:
[List relevant skills]

**References**:
[Available upon request]

Example 2: Mid-Level Professional Highlighting Versatility

[Your Name]
[Contact Information]

**Summary**: [A concise summary of your qualifications and career focus]

**Professional Experience**:

- Marketing Manager, XYZ Corporation, 2018 - Present
   - [Detail your responsibilities and achievements in your current role]

- Freelance Marketing Consultant, Various Clients, 2016 - 2018
   - Successfully completed marketing projects for clients in diverse industries, including tech startups, healthcare providers, and non-profit organizations.
   - [List specific achievements or contributions for each project]

- Marketing Coordinator, ABC Agency, 2014 - 2016
   - [Detail your responsibilities and accomplishments in this role]

**Education**:
[Your educational background]

**Skills**:
[List relevant skills]

**Professional Affiliations**:
[List any relevant affiliations]

Conclusion

Incorporating temp jobs on your resume can be a strategic move when done thoughtfully. Highlight the positions that enhance your qualifications, align with your career goals, and showcase your skills and accomplishments. Balance is key, and a well-crafted resume that includes temp jobs can help you stand out to potential employers, whether you’re just starting your career or looking to emphasize your versatility and adaptability.

Having trouble with writing your resume? We understand. Check out our various Resume Bundles or contact us today for a customized quote. We even guarantee that you will receive more interviews.