Gap year programs are a fantastic opportunity to go abroad and experience the world before you start your career. You can try new things and discover passions you didn’t even know you had. To use your time to the fullest, it’s a good idea to go into your gap year with a plan.
Of course, your gap year plan doesn’t have to be too rigid—flexibility and room for adventure are probably the main reasons you’re thinking of taking some time off. At the same time, you should consider how you can leverage your gap year and use it to your advantage in the future. That’s where a staffing agency comes in handy.
Working with a staffing agency during your gap year offers the best of both worlds when it comes to flexibility and planning. A staffing firm can help you gain valuable work experience so that you’re ready to market yourself when you decide to kick off your career. By developing a professional relationship with a recruiter, you can find flexible work options when you need them and try your hand in new and exciting job fields all over the world.
Read on to discover our top 5 reasons to work with a staffing agency during your gap year!
1. A recruitment agency can help you pay for your gap year
Financing your overseas adventures is perhaps the biggest reason that gap year students want to work on their year off. It costs money to be a tourist and do fun things, plain and simple. Working with a recruiter is the perfect way to find temp work when you need some extra income.
Plus, many temporary work positions pay on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. That means you’ll get your money when you need it, and you won’t be waiting around for a slow paycheque that puts a hold on your travel plans.
Not only do recruitment agencies offer high-paying gap year jobs that can help you afford your gap year, but many temp positions offer other benefits, too. For example, Adecco associates get tons of perks like free access to upskilling and reskilling programs, exclusive discounts and one-to-one career counselling. These types of work benefits can be just as valuable as a paycheque.
2. Gain marketable work experience during your gap year
When your gap year comes to a close, you’ll want to be able to show prospective employers that you made the most of your time off. By gaining tangible skills during gap year part-time jobs, you’ll stand out as a career-oriented person with a passion for learning new things – something that employers value highly in young people.
Working with a staffing agency is a great way to dabble in different industries and develop a well-rounded resume of work experience. Experience with specialized industry software, customer service, time management, teamwork, health and safety protocols and adaptability are just some of the amazing skills you can gain by taking a job through a recruitment agency. And guess what—these hard and soft skills will look impressive on your resume when you decide to join the workforce again.
3. A recruiter saves you the time of job searching
Why handle all your job-seeking needs yourself? At a café in Paris or a beachfront in Australia, the last thing you want to be doing is scouring the internet for your next gap year job opportunity. An industry expert can find you well-paid opportunities that fit your schedule and match your skills. Having a recruiter in your corner is a valuable time-saver.
For example, Adecco recruiters take the time to get to know you, learn about your interests and even help you write your resume and prepare for the job interview. A recruiter can also leverage their business connections to hook you up with especially interesting job opportunities in your area—all with minimal effort required on your part. That gives you the extra time you need to enjoy that espresso and catch that next wave!
4. Staffing agencies offer part-time, full-time and seasonal jobs
On a gap year abroad, what happens if the only work you can find traps you into an inconvenient long-term contract with no flexibility? Your gap year work experience shouldn’t take away from your dream travel plans. That’s another advantage to partnering with an employment agency. Large recruitment companies like Adecco Canada offer a range of part-time, full-time and seasonal jobs that let you take control of your gap year schedule.
You probably don’t want to be tied down with a standard 9-5 position with a permanent contract, so working with a recruiter is the perfect way to find temp work when you need some additional cash. Simply give your recruiter the days and times you want to work and let them send you opportunities that seem like a good fit. If you’re looking for something that’s even more flexible, your recruiter might even be able to find you weekend-only work or night shifts.
5. Discover new professional interests during your gap year
Working during a gap year offers you the chance to discover your passions. Just as importantly, you can discover what aren’t your passions. Sometimes, finding out what you don’t want to do is just as informative as finding out what you like doing.
Gap year jobs are perfect for this type of experimentation in the real-world workplace. You may take on a two-week gig and accidentally stumble across your lifelong passion! Or you may have a less-than-thrilling experience and decide that particular industry just isn’t for you. Either way, when you come home from your time off, you’ll have a clearer sense of direction when you enter the workplace full-time.
Why is this important in the long term? Because you’ll save valuable time searching for the right career path. Figuring out your interests early on is a huge advantage. It’s much easier than changing your field of interest later in your professional life.
If you’re on the hunt for great jobs for gap year students, Adecco is here to help. Our team works with students and young people from coast to coast, so we know a thing or two about finding flexible temp jobs that offer worthwhile experiences. Get in touch with our team today and we’ll get you the support you need!