Temp agencies can connect you to paid work quickly, yet landing consistent, high-quality roles takes more than just creating a profile. Many jobseekers aren’t sure how agencies operate, what recruiters prioritize, or how to turn short-term gigs into momentum for longer-term goals.
Understanding how temp agencies work: what happens behind the scenes
Temp agencies are your employer on paper, even when you’re working at a client site. They handle payroll, tax, compliance, and often things like onboarding and basic benefits, while their clients (the businesses you work within) rely on them to supply reliable workers at short notice. Knowing who does what helps you set the right expectations and communicate clearly.
| Who | What they handle |
|---|---|
| Temp agency | Hiring paperwork, right-to-work checks, payroll, insurance/compliance, job matching, feedback |
| You (the worker) | Your availability, skills, certifications, punctuality, communication, performance |
| Client company | On-the-job supervision, schedules, day-to-day tasks, long-term hiring decisions |
Recruiters work for the agency and its clients first. That doesn’t mean they aren’t on your side; it means their goal is to match the right person to the right job quickly and keep the client happy. Understanding this dynamic helps you tailor your conversations to show you’re job-ready and dependable.
The typical process
- Registration: share your work history, ID, and preferences.
- Skills checks: brief assessments or certificates to verify what you can do.
- Job matching: recruiters (and sometimes software) compare your profile with open roles.
- Placement: you accept a shift or assignment; the agency handles onboarding and pay.
Agencies earn money via a markup on your hourly rate or a fee when a client hires someone permanently. That structure rewards reliable, skilled workers who do well on site — because satisfied clients request them again.
Why employers use agencies varies: seasonal peaks, covering absences, project-based work, or ‘try before you hire’ scenarios. Agencies maintain those relationships so they can call you when the next shift drops.
Preparing your application and profile to stand out
Your profile is your shop window. Clear, complete, and accurate beats glossy but vague every time. Aim for fast matching: make it easy for a recruiter (or a matching algorithm) to see where you fit.
Make your resume do the matching for you
- Tailor your resume to the roles you want. For industrial, retail, or hospitality jobs, call out relevant skills and tools you’ve used.
- Be specific about availability, locations you can reach, and shift patterns you’ll take. Precision speeds up offers.
- Tell the truth about your skills. Overstating leads to roles that are a bad fit and hurts your reputation with the agency.
List concrete, verifiable skills
- Qualifications and certificates: forklift licence, food safety, first aid.
- Systems and tools: POS systems, inventory scanners, basic spreadsheet skills.
- Core strengths: customer service, order picking, bar service, health and safety awareness.
Many agencies use skills-based matching. The more clearly you label your abilities, the more often you’ll appear in searches.
Acing the recruiter interview and skills assessment
The first chat is straightforward but important. Recruiters are looking for people they can trust to represent the agency well at client sites.
What to expect
- Conversation about your work history, strengths, and what kind of roles you want.
- Availability, transport, shift preferences, and any deal-breakers.
- Skills checks: anything from typing or software tests to safety modules or short practical assessments.
How to stand out without overselling
- Arrive on time, dress appropriately, and keep your phone away — small signals of reliability go a long way.
- Bring examples that show you can adapt, communicate clearly, and follow instructions.
- Be honest about your goals — steady hours, specific industries, or temp-to-perm. That clarity helps the recruiter place you well.
- If you attend an AI interview, make sure you behave professionally and answer all the questions the AI recruiter asks you. Your answers will be analysed to find the best match for you.
Building a strong relationship with your recruiter
Great candidates make a recruiter’s day easier. If you’re responsive, prepared, and reliable, you become their first call when urgent shifts come in.
Simple habits that earn trust
- Reply quickly to messages and calls about shifts or interviews.
- Keep your availability current and flag changes as early as possible.
- Ask for feedback after assignments and act on it.
- Check in periodically with a short update, especially if you’re seeking specific roles or hours.
- Always show up on time, complete the job to the standard expected, and communicate if anything changes.
Accessing hidden opportunities and exclusive roles
Many temp roles never hit public job boards. Employers ask agencies to fill them quickly from trusted pools. That’s your cue to get into the right pool.
Where the ‘hidden job market’ shows up
- Exclusive listings from long-standing client relationships.
- Specialised roles in high-demand sectors (e.g. skilled industrial, front-of-house leaders, merchandisers).
- Short-notice shifts that require fast turnaround.
Specialist agencies in your target industry can open doors you won’t see elsewhere. Being flexible on shift types or distance can also lead to more offers when demand spikes.
If you prefer a faster, app-based route to work, platforms like Indeed Flex let you view and book available shifts directly, reducing the back-and-forth with recruiters. You can explore roles across hospitality, retail, and industrial in one place via the Indeed Flex app for jobseekers.
Turning temporary assignments into permanent roles
Temp-to-perm is common. Many employers treat short-term placements as a practical trial before making a permanent offer.
Behaviours that lead to offers
- Treat every shift like an extended interview — show up early, pitch in, and learn fast.
- Ask for more responsibility once you’ve mastered the basics.
- Tell both the on-site manager and your recruiter if you’re interested in permanent work.
- Keep a record of positive feedback and achievements that your recruiter can share with the client.
Avoiding common pitfalls when working with temp agencies
Most setbacks are avoidable with a bit of planning and clear communication.
- Avoid duplicate submissions. Don’t let multiple recruiters at the same agency submit your resume to the same employer.
- Log where your resume is sent. Ask before a submission and keep your own list of companies and dates.
- Only accept shifts you can complete. Saying yes and cancelling late (or no-showing) hurts future opportunities.
- Discuss pay and terms before accepting. It’s easier to align on rate, schedule, and travel expectations up front.
- Know your contract. Understand who pays you, when you’re paid, and any benefits or overtime rules.
Maximizing your success with temp agencies: practical tips
Consistency beats intensity. Keep doing the simple things well and more opportunities will arrive.
Daily and weekly habits that pay off
- Stay proactive: check for new roles, refresh your profile, and update your availability.
- Be flexible: a broader range of shifts or locations usually means steadier work.
- Ask for feedback: after each assignment, get one or two pointers you can apply next time.
- Keep it professional: punctuality and a positive attitude make you the ‘easy yes’ for recruiters.
- Build skills on the job: every shift adds experience, references, and contacts.
- Maintain key certifications: health and safety, food hygiene, customer service training, or equipment licences.
If you like managing your own schedule, you can also track and book shifts in one place with Indeed Flex, then use recruiter feedback to keep improving from shift to shift.
Key takeaways for jobseekers
Securing regular, rewarding work through temp agencies means understanding their processes, presenting your skills clearly, and building trust with recruiters. By staying proactive, communicating openly, and treating every role as a step toward your broader goals, you can access both immediate work and future opportunities—including hidden roles and potential permanent positions.
Take control of your temp job search
With Indeed Flex, you can easily find and book high-quality temporary roles across multiple industries, all in one app — giving you more choice and flexibility over your work schedule. Start finding your next assignment today by downloading the Indeed Flex app.
