Changing career can feel exciting and intimidating at the same time. You may know that your current path no longer fits, but the idea of moving into a completely new sector or role can raise a lot of questions. Do you have the right skills. Will employers take a chance on you. How do you prove your value without years of direct experience.

For many people in Ireland, temporary work is one of the most practical ways to bridge that gap. Working as temporary staff can give you income, up to date experience and a real sense of whether a new direction is right for you. Employers across Ireland rely on temporary recruitment and contract roles to cover busy periods, new contracts and sudden gaps, which creates real opportunity for candidates who are open to flexible work.

This article explains why temp work suits career changers in Ireland. You will see how temporary roles can help you explore new sectors, rebuild confidence, strengthen your CV and even move into permanent positions. We will look at hospitality, warehousing, office support and other areas where temporary recruitment is common, and share practical steps to get started through a recruitment agency that supports job seekers across Dublin and the rest of Ireland.

Understanding temporary work in Ireland

Temporary work in Ireland usually means a role with a clear end date or a contract that covers a specific project, busy season or period of leave. You might be hired directly by an employer, or you might be employed by a recruitment agency and assigned to work for different client companies.

Temporary roles appear across many sectors, including:

• hospitality and events

• warehousing and logistics

• office and administration

• construction and trades

• customer service and contact centres

• healthcare support and social care

For candidates, the key point is that temporary roles are genuine employment, not a step down. You can earn, gain experience and build a track record in your new field while still keeping some flexibility. If you want to understand what this looks like in practice, the dedicated Working as temporary staff information from Total Solutions explains how registration, weekly pay and holiday entitlement work for temp roles in Ireland.

Why temp work suits career changers

A low risk way to test a new direction

If you are thinking about a career change, committing straight into a full time permanent job can feel like a big leap. Temporary work offers a trial period where you can experience a role or sector for a few weeks or months before deciding if it is right for you.

For example, you might be working in retail but considering a move into warehousing and logistics. Taking a temporary role in a distribution centre lets you experience shift patterns, technology and team culture in real life. If it fits, you can look for longer contracts or permanent roles. If it does not, you have still earned income and gained experience that shows flexibility and reliability.

Space to build confidence and skills

Many career changers worry that they are “starting again”. Temporary roles can challenge that feeling by giving you quick wins.

Because temporary work moves at a fast pace, you often pick up new systems and skills quickly.

That can include:

• learning new software or equipment

• adapting to different management styles

• dealing with varied customers or clients

• understanding health and safety in new environments

These experiences all make strong CV points and interview stories for your new career path. If you combine them with targeted career advice, for example by reading articles such as Why you should use a recruitment agency in Ireland, you can turn that new experience into a clear long term direction.

Flexibility and work life balance during career change

Career change often happens at the same time as other life changes. You might be studying, caring for family, managing health needs or simply not ready to jump into a demanding role with fixed hours. Temporary work can offer more flexibility around hours, contract length and location.

This flexibility can help you to:

• work three or four days a week while you complete a course

• choose day shifts rather than nights while you adjust to a physical role

• accept a series of shorter contracts while you decide which sector suits you best

Temporary assignments can also make it easier to manage energy and finances while you test new options. You can work full time for a period, then scale down for a while, or choose roles that fit around other commitments.

If you want to explore options quickly, you can browse live opportunities through the job seekers section and filter by sector, location and pay to find roles that match your situation.

Building experience and closing CV gaps

Career changers often worry about gaps in their CV or a lack of direct experience in the new field. Temporary work can help with both.

Short term roles:

• keep your work history active instead of showing long periods with no employment

• add recent, relevant experience in your target sector

• show employers that you are willing to work and learn, even while you are in transition

Imagine you are an office administrator who wants to move into hospitality management. Securing a temporary role as a hotel receptionist gives you exposure to bookings systems, guest communication and shift work. On your CV, you can show direct hospitality experience, rather than only transferable skills. That makes it easier for hiring managers to say yes to you for more advanced roles, especially when you apply through a specialist hospitality recruitment team.

Networking and industry insight through temp roles

Every temporary assignment connects you with new colleagues, managers and sometimes clients. That means every assignment is a networking opportunity.

For career changers, this networking effect is especially important. You may have spent years in one sector and have few contacts in your new field.

Temporary work helps you:

• get to know people who already work in your target industry

• understand how teams operate in that environment

• learn what managers actually look for when they recruit

Over time, you build a new professional circle that supports your chosen direction. When a permanent role opens, managers are more likely to think of someone they already know and trust.

If you are unsure how to start those conversations, you can gain extra confidence by reading interviews and tips in the Insight Hub, where the Total Solutions team shares practical advice for job seekers in Ireland.

Exploring sectors: hospitality, warehousing and beyond

Temporary recruitment is common in several key sectors across Ireland. These can be particularly attractive for career changers.

Hospitality and events

Hotels, restaurants and event venues often rely on temporary staff to cover busy seasons, conferences and special occasions. For career changers, hospitality temp work can be a fast way to:

• gain customer facing experience

• understand service standards and health and safety requirements

• test whether you enjoy the pace and hours of hospitality work

Someone moving from a back office role into a more people focused path may find that a few months in hospitality gives exactly the exposure needed before progressing into supervisory or management positions. The hospitality recruitment team at Total Solutions supports roles across Dublin and the rest of Ireland, which gives you room to try different settings.

Warehousing and logistics

Warehousing and logistics play a major part in Ireland’s economy, particularly around Dublin and key regional hubs. Temporary roles in warehouses can include picking and packing, goods in and out, forklift operation and inventory control.

For career changers interested in physical, practical work, warehousing temp jobs can:

• provide structured training in systems and equipment

• build understanding of supply chains and stock control

• open routes into team leader and supervisor positions

These roles are strongly supported by warehousing recruitment and trades focused services, which often have ongoing requirements for reliable staff across Ireland.

Office, customer service and support roles

Temporary roles in offices and contact centres can suit career changers who want to move away from physically demanding work or shift patterns. You might start in data entry, reception, customer service or basic administration.

These roles are useful for building:

• computer and system skills

• experience with customer communication

• exposure to sectors such as finance, education or public services

Temporary office work also helps you discover whether you prefer smaller businesses or larger organisations and whether you enjoy front line customer contact, back office support or a mix of both.

Temp work as a bridge to permanent employment

One of the strongest reasons why temp work suits career changers is that it can act as a step towards permanent recruitment. Many employers treat temporary roles as a way to test fit before offering a long term contract.

For career changers, this can work in your favour. You might:

• start in a temporary role while you learn the basics

• demonstrate reliability, teamwork and willingness to learn

• move into a longer contract or permanent job once you have proven yourself

This pattern appears in many sectors, from hospitality and warehousing to office support and construction. It is common for people who begin with short assignments through working as temporary staff to progress into permanent positions when a good match appears and both sides are happy.

Addressing common fears about temporary work

Despite the advantages, some career changers hesitate about temporary work.

Common concerns include:

• worry that temporary roles look unstable on a CV

• fear of inconsistent income

• concern about losing rights or benefits

• feeling that only permanent roles count

In reality, well chosen temporary work can send strong positive signals to employers. Holding a series of relevant temp positions can show adaptability, resilience and ongoing commitment to work. The key is to choose assignments that move you closer to your goal, rather than taking every role at random.

On rights and protections, Irish legislation gives agency workers important entitlements around pay, working time and leave, once qualifying conditions are met. You should still ask clear questions about pay rates, payment frequency, holiday pay and other details before you accept a role, and keep your own records of hours worked.

If you are worried about income stability, it can help to:

• build a small financial buffer before you switch fully into temporary work

• combine part time temporary assignments with another steady income where possible

• work with a recruitment partner that can offer regular placements across several clients and sectors

Working with a recruitment agency in Dublin and across Ireland

For many career changers, the easiest way to access temporary work is through a recruitment agency in Dublin or elsewhere in Ireland. An agency that focuses on both temporary and permanent roles can:

• introduce you to employers in sectors such as hospitality, warehousing, construction and office support

• match you with roles that never appear on public job boards

• advise which employers are open to career changers or people returning to work

When you register, be honest about your career change plans. Explain:

• your previous experience

• the direction you want to move in

• the type of roles you are willing to try

• any training or certificates you already have or plan to complete

This makes it easier for the team at Total Solutions to connect you with assignments that fit your goals. If you want to understand how an agency relationship can support you more broadly, the article Why you should use a recruitment agency in Ireland explores the benefits in detail.

Practical steps to get started with temp work as a career changer

If you are ready to explore temporary jobs as part of your career change, you can follow a simple sequence.

Step one: Clarify your direction

You do not need a perfect plan, but you should have a general idea of where you want to move. For example:

• “I want to move from retail into warehousing and logistics.”

• “I would like to move from hospitality into office based administration.”

• “I am coming back after a long break and want flexible work while I test options.”

This clarity helps both you and any recruiter you work with to choose assignments that move you closer to your goal.

Step two: Update your CV for temp work

Tailor your CV for the new direction by:

• highlighting transferable skills such as teamwork, problem solving and customer service

• adding any training or certificates relevant to your target sector

• showing flexibility and willingness to learn

If you have already completed any short contracts, list them clearly with the agency or employer name, location, dates and main duties.

Step three: Register and explore live roles

Take the time to register with Total Solutions and upload your CV through the job seekers section. You can also review guidance on working as temporary staff so you know what to expect around weekly pay, timesheets and holidays.

Ask about:

• typical roles available for career changers

• pay rates and payment schedule

• how holiday pay works

• what training or support is available

Step four: Treat each assignment as a stepping stone

Once you start working, treat each assignment as a chance to:

• learn as much as possible about the role and sector

• build positive relationships with colleagues and supervisors

• gather evidence for your CV and future interviews

Keep notes on systems used, tasks handled and feedback received. This information is valuable when you later apply for permanent roles or more senior temporary positions.

Rights, pay and protections for temporary workers in Ireland

Understanding your rights helps you feel more secure as a career changer. Some key points for agency workers in Ireland include:

• You are usually employed by the agency, which assigns you to client companies.

• You are entitled to fair pay for hours worked, with payslips that clearly show what you have earned and what deductions apply.

• You accrue holiday pay in line with Irish regulations and can request leave in agreement with your recruiter and the client.

• You should receive information about working hours, breaks, safety rules and any specific site requirements before you start.

You should also be given clear information about your rate of pay, how your pay is calculated and how to raise any concerns. If anything is unclear, ask your consultant to explain it before you accept an assignment.

Using temp experience to improve your CV and interviews

Temporary work will only help your career change if you use the experience effectively in your applications and interviews.

On your CV, you can:

• group several short assignments under one heading for the agency, listing key clients and roles underneath

• highlight responsibilities and achievements that match your target permanent role

• include any new systems, tools or certificates you gained during your temporary work

In interviews, temporary work gives you a rich set of examples to draw from, such as:

• adapting quickly to new teams

• learning different systems in a short time

• dealing with challenging customers or situations

• taking on extra responsibility when needed

These stories show that you can handle change and that you have already succeeded in new environments. That is exactly what employers want to see from a career changer who has used temporary work strategically.

Balancing temporary work with training or study

Career change often involves some level of upskilling, whether through formal courses or self directed learning. Temporary work can be combined with training to create a strong transition plan.

For example, you might:

• work part time in hospitality while completing a business administration course

• take on evening warehouse shifts while studying for a logistics qualification

• combine office temp work with online training in software tools or accounting basics

Shorter contracts can provide income and practical context for what you are learning. They can also give you access to systems and processes that are hard to fully understand from a classroom alone. When you later apply for permanent roles, you can show both formal learning and recent, relevant experience.

If you are considering regulated sectors or roles with specific safety requirements, you can also explore how the wider Total Solutions group supports training, including Total Training courses that help keep you compliant and work ready.

Quick Takeaways

• Temporary work is a practical and flexible option for career changers in Ireland who want to test new directions without committing immediately to a permanent role.

• Temp roles help you build fresh experience, close CV gaps and rebuild confidence after redundancy, a career break or a difficult job.

• Sectors such as hospitality, warehousing and office support offer regular temporary opportunities that suit mid career change and early stage exploration.

• Working with a recruitment agency that understands working as temporary staff makes it easier to access suitable roles and understand pay, holidays and protections.

• Temporary assignments can act as a bridge into permanent employment when you treat each role as a chance to show reliability, adaptability and potential.

• Combining temp work with training, including options such as Total Training, creates a strong base for long term career growth.

Conclusion

Career change rarely follows a straight line. It often involves exploration, trial and error and gradual shifts in direction. Temporary work fits this reality very well, which is why temp roles are such a good option for people who are changing career in Ireland.

By choosing temporary assignments carefully, you can explore new sectors, build skills, close gaps on your CV and regain confidence in your abilities. You have the chance to see what you enjoy, what suits your lifestyle and where you can add the most value, all while earning an income. As more employers use temporary recruitment and flexible staffing to manage demand, that flexibility benefits both you and the businesses you support.

If you are considering a career change, it can help to see temporary work not as a second choice, but as a strategic step. Register as a candidate, explore job vacancies across Ireland and learn more about working as temporary staff. Treat each assignment as a learning opportunity and a chance to impress. Over time, those short term roles can lead to long term possibilities and a career path that fits you much better than the one you are leaving behind.

If you would like tailored advice, you can also get in touch with the Total Solutions team for support with your next move.

FAQs