Should I Add my Temp Jobs on my Resume?

Become a Librarian

Don't Forget Temp Jobs!

I often jump into the #JobHuntChat on Twitter on Monday nights at 9p EST where people who are searching for jobs hang out in spirited conversation with Recruiters and HR people who hire.

One big topic of discussion was whether or not to include temp jobs on a resume. For the most part, all the recruiters shared that it was appropriate to list temp jobs on our resumes. However, the one caveat? The temp jobs you list, must be relevant to your career story or the position for which you are applying.

Some of the comments in the chat included:

"Just list it. If they screen you out that is their loss. It's one more way to determine you are finding a place that values the whole YOU" - @RecruiterScrib

"List them if they are relevant" - @GemmaTothSCP

"Relevance matters I think. If it's not relevant, use the space to share something relevant. Diverse skills matter but the resume reader has a short attention span. Use it wisely" - @breea16

"I say list. It's all about relevance. If the only thing you have to brag about as an entre into a great role is temp exposure, I say use it" - @MarciaFRobinson

The fact is, in a successful job search or internship search we use the background, experience and skills that what we already have. If what we have is experience in temp jobs then that is what we use until we have more.

I know plenty of people whose career passions turned into professional success because they were exposed to an occupation or a job that was temporary or seasonal. Find a way to include what is relevant on your resume for the position you are seeking.