What we’re NEVER briefed on…

“I’m looking for an employee who is lazy, turns up late, has a bad attitude and doesn’t get on with the team.”

Yeah, that never happens.

What we’re ALWAYS briefed on…

“I need someone who’s a self-starter, proactive, solutions-focused and turns up with a great attitude. Someone who can hit the ground running.”

Whether it’s temp or perm, every single client asks for the same thing.

In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had a briefing meeting where the phrase “hit the ground running” hasn’t been mentioned.

But what does that actually mean for you as a candidate?

Every business onboards differently. If you’re stepping into a permanent role, there’s usually a structured process to get you up to speed.

But temp work? That’s often a whole different ball game.

When a business is paying a premium for a temp by the hour, expectations are high – and so is the pressure to deliver immediately.

So, if you’re considering temp work or about to start an assignment, here are three ways to add value from day one:

👉 Be proactive in getting to know the team. Introduce yourself to everyone and understand who does what – your colleagues are your best resource for gaining the information that you’ll need to succeed. The quicker you establish connections, the easier it will be to pull in favours (you’ll need them!) and get some early wins on the board.

👉 Onboarding might be next to non-existent, but that’s why they hired you. Step in as the expert, take charge of your responsibilities, and provide solutions – don’t wait for someone to guide you. Businesses bring in temps to solve immediate problems, so step up with confidence. Take a deep breath – you’ve got this.

👉 Actively check in to gain feedback and be tenacious with this (sometimes in busy environments it’s hard to pin people down!). This is not just to confirm you’re on track but to show initiative – make yourself invaluable. The more you understand expectations, the easier it is to exceed them.

Temp work moves fast. If you can adapt quickly, ask the right questions and show initiative, you’ll not only meet expectations – you’ll exceed them.

…and that’s how you truly hit the ground running.