Temp work CV template

by Amber Rolfe

Want to start temping but not sure if your CV is up to it?

So, you’re ready to dive into the world of temporary work. Maybe you want to earn some extra cash over the summer, gain experience in a new sector, or you just love the flexibility that comes with short-term contracts. There’s just one hurdle standing between you and that weekly pay packet: your CV.

The way you structure your application for temporary roles differs slightly from permanent ones. Recruiters aren’t looking for a five-year plan; they want to know you can hit the ground running, fit into the team immediately, and get the job done.

Here’s our advice on what to include, section by section, along with a free, downloadable temp work CV template to get you started.

Download your free temp work CV template

Just here for the template? Click the link below to download it in Word format.

CV format for temp work

When you’re applying for temporary employee work, you don’t need to worry about demonstrating long-term loyalty or leadership potential in the same way you would for a permanent role.

The key is to structure your CV to highlight availability, reliability, and hard skills.

Here’s a simple temporary employee CV structure to follow:

1. Name and contact details (including availability)
2. Personal statement
3. Key skills
4. Employment history
5. Education
6. Hobbies and interests (optional)
7. References

If you have lots of disjointed short-term roles, consider grouping them or using a skills based CV format to stop your employment history looking cluttered.

How should I format my CV?

Advice on formatting a temporary employee CV

When it comes to the format of your CV, here’s how to keep things professional:

• Keep it to two pages max. Recruiters are busy (especially when filling urgent temporary employee roles). If you hit page three, it’s time for a trim.
• Use a clean, readable font. Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman at size 10-12 are safe bets.
• Be clear about dates. If you’ve done lots of temping, clearly label roles as ‘Temporary’ or ‘Contract’ so it doesn’t look like you’re job-hopping without a reason.

CV layout: dos and don’ts

CV layout examples

How to write a temporary employee CV

It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job applicant’s CV. For temporary employee roles, it might be even less.

Here’s what you should include to make sure you make the cut:

1. Contact details and availability

Start with the basics.: Name, location, phone number, and email address.

Top tip: For temporary roles, add your availability right here at the top. For example: ‘Available immediately for short and long-term contracts.’ This answers the recruiter’s most pressing question before they’ve even read your profile.

2. Personal statement

Never underestimate the selling power of a personal statement. That is, if it’s done correctly.

Be clear about who you are, what you offer, and what you’re looking for. In the case of temporary work, you’ll benefit most from emphasising your flexibility and ability to pick things up quickly.

And, always relate back to the type of role you’re applying for, talking about real examples to emphasise your skills and experience.

Temporary CV personal statement example

A highly motivated and reliable administrative professional with extensive experience in data entry and customer service. Available immediately for temporary assignments in the Greater Manchester area. Proven ability to adapt quickly to new software systems and hit the ground running in fast-paced office environments.

How to tailor your CV to a job description

3. Skills

Your skills can also be linked to your work experience, so it’s up to you whether you decide to include a separate section for them. However, for temporary employee work, a bullet-pointed skills section acts like a highlight reel for recruiters scanning for keywords.

Focus on the skills needed specifically for the role. If it’s data entry, highlight your typing speed (WPM) and Excel proficiency. If it’s hospitality, highlight cash handling and silver service.

Concentrating on your ability to adapt to different situations, communicate effectively, and work well under pressure will prove you’re a safe pair of hands.

Temporary CV skills example

• Software: Advanced Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables), Salesforce, SAP.
• Communication: Professional telephone manner, experienced in handling complaints.
• Adaptability: Used to working in changing environments and picking up new processes daily.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

4. Employment history

Always order your employment history in reverse chronological order.

If you’ve temped before, it’s likely you’ll have worked in a large number of roles. Instead of listing every single shift, consider their relevance. Is that one week of leaflet distribution really adding value to your application for a legal secretary role? Probably not.

Instead of listing daily duties, talk about accomplishments. Did you clear a backlog of filing? Did you help a store hit its Christmas sales target?

If you haven’t got much experience yet, don’t worry. Temporary, part-time, and volunteer work are all valid.

Work experience letter template

5. Education

Some roles place importance on your education, but for many general temporary employee roles, experience and attitude come first.

Place your most recent qualifications first. Be selective; highlighting grades for Maths and English is usually enough. If you have a degree, feel free to reference specific modules if they demonstrate wider knowledge relevant to the job.

Which parts of my education should I include in my CV?

6. Hobbies and interests (optional)

This section is strictly optional. Unless you have unique hobbies that relate back to the role or demonstrate reliability (like captaining a sports team), feel free to leave it out to save space.

Generic hobbies such as ‘socialising with friends’ should always be avoided. We all like hanging out with our friends. It doesn’t make us better at filing.

Should I include hobbies and interests in my CV?

7. References

Unless the job advert states otherwise, simply writing ‘References available upon request’ is fine.

However, for temporary employee work, speed is key. Having two referees (one professional, one academic/character) prepped and ready to give you a glowing review can speed up the hiring process.

How to get a reference

How to make yourself available for temporary work

Temporary job CV examples

Wondering what a great temporary CV looks like for your sector?

Here are a few short examples for three common temporary employee sectors – showing snippets from key sections:

CV template for Admin & Secretarial temporary work

View all temporary admin jobs

CV template for Retail temporary work

View all temporary retail jobs

CV template for Hospitality temporary work

View all temporary hospitality jobs

Frequently asked questions

Should I list every single temporary employee job I’ve ever had?

Not necessarily. If you’ve done dozens of very short assignments (e.g., one-day shifts), it’s better to group them. For example: ‘Various Agency Assignments (2024–2026) – Including reception cover, data entry, and filing for multiple clients in the finance sector.’

How do I explain gaps between temporary employee roles?

Recruiters expect gaps in a temporary employee’s CV. It’s the nature of the beast. You can label your employment section ‘Employment History & Contracts’ to imply flexibility. If asked, simply state you were looking for the right contract or taking time for personal development.

Do I need a cover letter for temporary employee work?

Even if it’s just a short email, a cover letter introduces you and, crucially, states your availability. Keep it brief, professional, and focus on your readiness to start.

Free cover letter template

Pay and benefits for temporary and agency workers

Ready to try temping? View all available temporary positions now.