Why does temp work gain momentum in the summer?
Summer is one of the times of year when the job market feels the impact of seasonality the most. Increased activity in sectors such as hospitality, tourism, restaurants, retail, logistics, events and services leads many companies to strengthen their teams for a specific period, whether to respond to higher demand, cover staff holidays or support operations with a greater workload.
This trend is particularly visible in tourism-related activities. In the first quarter of 2026, accommodation, food service and similar activities employed 344.1 thousand people in Portugal, 8.7% more than in the same period of the previous year.
It is in this context that summer jobs and seasonal work opportunities increase. For companies, these models make it possible to adjust teams to specific needs. For candidates, they can represent a way to enter the job market, return to professional life, try a new area or gain experience in a real work environment.
Many of these opportunities have a defined duration, but that does not mean their impact ends when summer does. The experience gained, the contact with different work rhythms and the opportunity to demonstrate skills can turn a seasonal job into a relevant step in a candidate’s professional path.
Does temp work mean a lack of stability?
More than a question of duration, temporary work should be considered for the role it can play in each candidate’s professional path. Throughout the experience, candidates come into contact with real work processes, teams, schedules, responsibilities and different levels of demand, all of which can be valued in future applications.
This work model responds to specific company needs, such as seasonal staffing, replacements or peaks in activity, but it can also adapt to different stages of professional life. For those looking to gain experience, find their first job, return to the labour market, supplement their income or try a new area, it can represent a practical option aligned with specific goals.
The idea of professional stability is not the same for everyone. For some professionals, it may mean remaining with a company for a longer period; for others, it may involve staying active, gaining experience and choosing opportunities that are compatible with their availability and goals.
In some cases, a temporary opportunity can lead to continuity, always depending on performance, the company’s needs, the existence of vacancies and the context of the role. Even when it ends within the initially expected timeframe, the experience can provide references, strengthen the CV and open doors to new recruitment processes.
5 benefits of temp work for candidates
1. Entering or returning to the job market
Temp work can be a practical way to start or resume a professional path. For those looking for their first job, it provides real-world experience, insight into how companies operate and the opportunity to take on responsibilities that help develop professional skills.
It can also be a relevant option for those who have been away from the job market and want to return gradually. A temporary opportunity can help rebuild work routines, update skills and gain experience again.
This professional experience can also help candidates understand which roles suit them best, identify the skills they already have and recognise others they may need to develop.
2. Contact with different companies, roles and sectors
One of the advantages of temporary work is the opportunity to experience different professional environments. This diversity can be particularly useful for those who are still defining their path or want to explore a new area before making long-term career decisions.
Hospitality, restaurants, retail, logistics, events and services all have different rhythms, roles and requirements. Contact with different contexts allows candidates to better understand how teams are organised, which skills companies value and what responsibilities are associated with each role.
In this way, each experience can contribute to more informed decisions about the future and help candidates identify the sectors and roles that best fit their profile.
3. Developing skills valued by companies
Temp work often requires the ability to adapt to new teams, procedures and work rhythms. This adaptability helps develop skills that can remain useful in other roles and sectors.
Communication, responsibility, organisation, autonomy, time management and attention to detail are some examples of transferable skills. During busier periods, such as seasonal work or summer staffing needs, the ability to integrate and adapt can become particularly important.
As a result, a temporary experience is not limited to the tasks or roles performed. The skills acquired can strengthen the CV and provide concrete examples of the candidate’s ability to respond to different professional challenges.
4. Flexibility for different stages of professional life
Not everyone looks for the same type of opportunity at every stage of their professional life. There are students looking for summer jobs, professionals who want to supplement their income, people changing careers and candidates looking to balance work with other responsibilities.
In these contexts, temporary work can offer greater professional flexibility, making it possible to find opportunities that are compatible with specific periods of availability and different goals.
This flexibility should not be confused with a lack of stability or structure. For some professionals, the possibility of working during defined periods, gaining experience and adapting professional choices to their circumstances can represent a conscious and suitable option for the stage they are in.
5. Possibility of continuity after summer
A summer job may have a defined duration, but that does not necessarily mean the relationship with the company or future professional opportunities end at that point.
In some cases, the initially planned period may be extended, new recruitment needs may arise, or the candidate may be considered again for future vacancies and opportunities.
This possibility always depends on several factors, such as the performance shown, the candidate’s availability, the company’s needs and the existence of suitable opportunities. For this reason, continuity should not be seen as guaranteed.
Even when the job ends within the initially defined period, the gained experience remains valuable. It can strengthen the CV, create professional references and allow the candidate to demonstrate, in a real work context, skills such as responsibility, adaptability and integration.
How Timing supports candidates in temp work opportunities
Finding a vacancy is only one part of the process. In temp work, it is also important to understand whether the opportunity matches each candidate’s availability, experience and professional goals.
This support becomes particularly relevant during periods of higher demand, such as summer, when many companies need to strengthen their teams within a short period of time. Knowing the role, schedules, conditions and expected duration of the opportunity allows candidates to make a more informed decision before starting the placement.
Timing supports this path through the identification of opportunities suited to each candidate’s profile and availability, referral to compatible roles and support throughout the placement. When new company needs arise, other opportunities may also become available that are suited to the experience gained in the meantime.
In this way, a temporary employment experience can be part of a broader professional path, allowing candidates to build experience, develop skills and stay connected to new opportunities in the job market.
To better understand the conditions associated with this type of work, you can also read Timing’s article on temporary workers’ rights in Portugal.
– Did this topic help you?
Temp work can start as a summer opportunity, but its value can go beyond that period. For many candidates, it can be a way to enter or return to the job market, gain experience, develop skills and discover different professional contexts.
If you are still looking for an opportunity this summer, explore Timing’s available vacancies and discover temp work opportunities in different sectors and regions across Portugal.
If you represent a company, learn more about Timing’s solutions and discover how we support recruitment needs, seasonal staffing, temporary work and HR management with responses tailored to the reality of your business.
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