People sometimes confuse part-time work with temp work. As such, when job-hunting, they may end up applying to work they didn’t want. Companies themselves can get the terms confused and blur the lines between temp work and part-time work.
Whether you want to work part-time or you’re looking for temporary work, here is what you need to know about some key differences between the two so that you know who is paying you, whether your work is consistent or not, and more.
Have You Been Hired Directly By The Company?
If you’ve been hired directly by the company and you work less than 35 hours per week, you are a part-time employee. Part-time employees are paid through the company’s payroll and adhere to regular schedules.
The reason why people can confuse part-time work with temp work here is that since you are not working a full 40-hour work week, you or the company may assume that this means your work is temporary. It may be assumed that to be a permanent employee, you’d need to be full-time, but this isn’t the case.
Have You Been Hired Through A Staffing Agency?
If you’ve been hired through a staffing company, then you are a temp. Companies use staffing agencies in order to find workers for projects where it doesn’t make sense to hire on new permanent employees. The staffing agency helps you find positions that suit your needs.
In some cases, the company that you’ll be working with will want to interview you too, but in most cases, the staffing agency takes care of all of that. The company pays the staffing agency, and the staffing agency pays you.
You Can Be A Part-Time Temp Worker
This is another area where people can get confused, because you can be a temp worker who works part-time hours. You don’t need to work full-time in order to be a temp. You tell the temp agency how many hours you are looking for and the hours that you can work, and they will find positions that suit your specifications.
Temp Workers Work On Short-Term Projects
Seasonal positions can blur the lines here, as many people can be hired by stores for a month or two and then let go. However, with positions like that, there is always the possibility that the company could keep you on permanently.
With temp work, though, you are typically told how long the project will be. Temp workers work short-term projects, where companies need the extra help, but not for long enough to justify hiring permanent employees. As such, temp work tends to be sporadic, with many different projects.
Part-Time Workers Can Be Permanent Employees
You can work part-time and stay with the same company for years on end. It helps some to think of part-time workers as permanent employees while temp workers are just that, temporary. If you have a part-time position, you may be able to switch it to full-time, if the company has the hours and work to make that happen. You may also be able to switch from full-time to part-time, if needed.
Generally, part-time employees can stay with the same company until either party decides to part ways.
Temp Work Gives You Many Opportunities
When you work part-time with a company, you can generally rely on having the same responsibilities every day. You know what to expect, how things work, and what is expected of you.
However, when you work as a temp, you are constantly getting to go to new positions. This gives you many opportunities to improve your skills, learn new skills, and network. You may find yourself working on a project that you never knew you’d enjoy, but you love. Plus, if you work hard and the company likes you and has the space to expand their team, temp work can lead to permanent employment.
It’s generally advised with temp work that you be as open as possible. This is to help you find as much work as possible, rather than wait around for the perfect position. With such openness comes opportunities aplenty, which can help your resume a great deal.
Do You Need Help Finding Work?
If you’re looking for work, All Trades Staffing Services is here to help. Fill out our employment application and let us help you find suitable positions as soon as possible. Contact us today to learn more.
