The Elusive Metric_Quality_FINAL - Flipbook - Page 5
Defining ‘Good’ in
Temporary Recruitment
Beyond the CV: What Does
Quality Look Like?
In temporary recruitment, qualities such as speed and
efficiency often dominate the conversation. ‘Good’,
therefore, is often defined by how quickly someone can
start and if they meet the minimum standards of training
or prior experience. But, as organisations increasingly
rely on temp workers to meet dynamic business needs,
this has to be redefined. While skills and experience
are essential, they’re only part of the equation. A
truly high-performing temporary worker brings more
than technical ability, but a combination of the right
mindset, behaviours, and matches with the team and
organisation’s values.
Here are the top factors influencing temporary staff
quality that go beyond the traditional CV and that all
employers should seek to identify:
Behavioural Fit & Attitude
A fundamental part of a temporary worker’s role and
broader value is being able to join a team within an
often-short onboarding period, whilst also hitting
the ground running, so their attitude naturally has a
significant impact on their overall success. Seeking traits
such as adaptability, which enables workers to respond
calmly to changing priorities, and resilience, which
ensures they maintain performance under pressure, is
critical, as is identifying a willingness to learn. Equally,
attributes including punctuality and reliability become
even more crucial when there is little margin for error in
short-term roles. Ultimately, when a temporary worker’s
professional values align with those of the organisation
and its team dynamic, they integrate smoothly.
Motivation and Engagement
Understanding a candidate’s reasons for choosing
temporary work can reveal how invested they are
in the role, and the individual’s different motivations
will offer varying benefits to the employer. Those
seeking flexibility to balance other commitments, for
example, often demonstrate greater self-direction,
whereas those who view a temporary role as a path to
permanent employment tend to bring higher energy
and commitment. But regardless of individual drivers,
when workers feel their contributions truly matter, they
stay focused on delivering results, even within limited
timeframes, and often exceed basic expectations,
making them stand out and support overall team morale.
Communication Skills
Effective communication is vital in nearly every role,
but particularly in fast-moving environments, where
it can prevent costly mistakes. Temporary staff need
to interpret instructions accurately from day one, and
often aren’t afforded the same adaptation time as their
permanent counterparts. Note that a permanent hire
typically has somewhere between 3-6 months’ probation
to allow for adequate evaluation of competency. Temp
staff must therefore ask the right questions and provide
updates concisely and doing so professionally and
responsively builds trust with permanent colleagues
and managers. Ultimately, when everyone understands
expectations and deadlines, collaboration flows more
effectively, and projects stay on track.
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