How to List Temporary Work on a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’re not alone if you’ve worked a temp job or two. These roles are common, flexible, and sometimes exactly what you need. But when it comes to adding them to your resume, things can get confusing. Should you list all of them? Combine them? Leave some out?

Last update:
01/01/2024
How to List Temporary Work on a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide

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This guide will help you make sense of it all. We’ll walk you through each step, so your resume shows off your temp experience in the best way possible. Simple, clear, and effective. Let’s get started!

Step-by-Step Guide to Listing Temporary Work


Adding temporary work to your resume doesn’t have to be complicated. The goal is to make it clear, organized, and relevant to the job you’re applying for. Let’s break it down step by step.

Cropped of middle eastern man employee working at office

1. Group Temp Work Under One Section

If you’ve done multiple temporary jobs, it’s best to organize them under one section. This keeps your resume clean and easy to read. Instead of listing each job separately, group them together with a heading like “Temporary Work” or “Contract Roles.”

For example:

Temporary Work

  • Administrative Assistant | XYZ Corporation, Jan 2023 – Mar 2023
    • Managed scheduling for a team of 15, reducing missed meetings by 20%.
    • Organized company files, improving accessibility and saving time.
  • Customer Support Rep | ABC Retail, Aug 2022 – Dec 2022
    • Handled over 50 customer inquiries daily with a 95% satisfaction rate.
    • Trained two new employees in company systems and policies.

This resume approach groups your experience neatly, showing that you’ve done valuable work without making the resume feel cluttered.

2. List the Employer, Not the Agency

When you worked a temp job, chances are you were hired through a staffing agency. But on your resume, the company where you actually worked matters more. It’s the name recruiters will recognize.

For example,

Instead of writing
Staffing Agency | Customer Support Rep

Write this
ABC Retail | Customer Support Rep

Why? Because “ABC Retail” is the brand that stands out. It also shows that you’ve worked in a real-world company environment, which is more relevant than the staffing agency that placed you there.

3. Showcase Achievements


List Temp or Contract Work on CV

It’s tempting to list all your responsibilities, but that doesn’t tell hiring managers what you’re good at. Focus on what you achieved during your temp roles or summer jobs. What impact did you make? Did you solve problems or improve processes?

For example,

Instead of this
Answered customer calls and resolved complaints.

Try this
Resolved 30+ customer complaints daily, achieving a 90% first-call resolution rate.

Or instead of
Filed documents for the HR department.

Write this
Digitized 500+ employee records, reducing retrieval time by 40%.

Numbers and results make your employment history stand out. Even in short-term roles, employers want to see what you brought to the table.

4. Use Clear Dates

Don’t be vague with dates. Temp work already comes with shorter timeframes, so listing them honestly is important. Use specific months and years to show exactly when you worked.

For example
Marketing Assistant | DEF Staffing Agency, Apr 2022 – Jul 2022

Avoid writing this
Marketing Assistant | DEF Staffing Agency, 2022

Why? Because it looks like you’re hiding something. Recruiters appreciate transparency. Even if a role only lasted three months, clear dates and references show you’re upfront about it.

5. Tailor to the Job You Want

Not all temp jobs need to be listed on your resume. Focus on the ones that match the role you’re applying for. If you worked a mix of roles, highlight the ones that build on the skills or experience needed for this job.

For example, if you’re applying for an administrative role, list temp jobs where you handled scheduling, office management, or data entry. Leave out unrelated roles, like a short stint in customer service, unless it’s relevant.

Here’s how tailoring might look:

Administrative Assistant | GHI Corporation, Jun 2023 – Sep 2023

  • Scheduled meetings for executives and managed travel arrangements.
  • Created detailed reports that helped reduce expenses by 15%.

By focusing on related skills, you make your experience work for you, even if it was temporary.

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When to Include Temporary Work


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Temporary work can absolutely belong on your resume, but it depends on the situation. It’s all about showing the value of those roles to hiring managers. Here are some common scenarios where adding temp work makes sense:

1. You Built New Skills

Temp work often gives you the chance to learn new things quickly. Maybe you picked up technical skills, mastered a new software, or gained experience in a specific industry. If those skills are relevant to the job you’re applying for, highlight them. For example, if a short-term admin job taught you how to use advanced Excel functions, that’s worth including.

2. You Need to Show Career Continuity

If you’ve had a gap in full-time work, temp work can fill in those blanks. They show you’ve stayed active and committed to building your career, even during transitions. For instance, working as a customer service temp while job-hunting demonstrates your willingness to keep working and gaining experience.

3. The Experience is Directly Relevant

If a temp role or job title matches the skills or responsibilities of the job you’re aiming for, it’s a no-brainer to include it. Employers care more about what you’ve done than how long you did it. A three-month marketing contract where you managed social media campaigns is highly relevant if you’re applying for a full-time marketing position.

4. It Highlights Your Adaptability

Temp work often means jumping into new environments and learning quickly. This can showcase how adaptable and flexible you are; skills every employer appreciates. For example, being a temp project coordinator on short notice shows you can handle fast-paced situations with ease.

Work, lifestyle and business concept

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Final Thoughts


Temp work is valuable, so don’t hesitate to include it on your resume for hiring managers to see. The key is to keep it organized, highlight your achievements, and focus on what’s relevant to the job you want. Even short-term roles can show off important skills and experience. By being clear and honest, you can turn temp positions into a strength that grabs a recruiter’s attention.

Keep in mind, it’s all about presenting your experience in the best way possible. Take the time to format it well, and you’ll be proud of what your resume says about you.

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Frequently Asked Questions About How to List Temporary Jobs on a Resume

Do I need to say a job was temporary on my resume?

Yes, it’s best to be upfront. You can add “(Temporary)” or “(Contract)” next to the job title. This shows honesty and prevents any confusion about why the role was short-term.

Should I include all my temp jobs?

No, only list temp work that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Focus on roles where you gained skills or experience that match the position you want. It keeps your resume focused and professional for hiring managers.

How do I explain gaps between temp jobs?

You don’t need to explain every gap between permanent employment unless it’s lengthy. You can say you were actively seeking opportunities or gaining skills during that time. Short breaks between temp positions are common and nothing to stress over while looking for a permanent position.

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