Temporary Talent: Your Untapped Resource for Business Flexibility

By Dani McDonald, Vice President and Market Leader

Businesses across America face constant change in market demands, labor needs, technology, and economic conditions. Yet too many leaders still view temporary staffing merely as a way to save money or fill surprise vacancies rather than as a solution to these challenges. This limited perspective misses the deeper strategic value that temporary staffing brings to organizations.

With temporary staffing, companies can scale up or down quickly and optimize their workforce precisely when needed—all while maintaining their competitive edge. To meet this need for business agility, the temporary staffing industry has grown into a $188.73 billion market. In 2025, improvements in key sectors like IT and healthcare are projected to grow the industry another 5% to be worth $198.17 billion.

With over 20 years in executive sales and recruiting management roles, I’ve come to see how forward-thinking companies are using temporary staffing not just as a stopgap measure but as a strategic business asset that drives innovation and growth. What I’ve found is that treating temporary talent as a core part of your workforce strategy—rather than as disposable resources—unlocks their full potential and protects your employer brand in an increasingly talent-driven market.

Staying flexible with temporary staffing

What makes temporary staffing unique? Unlike contractors who typically work as independent entities with deliverable-based arrangements, temporary workers are W2 employees of the staffing organization itself. This creates a more structured relationship with clear accountability, while still maintaining flexibility for the hiring business.

That makes temporary staffing an ideal solution for seasonal hiring or hiring to the peaks and valleys of your business.

Think about a manufacturing company that experiences annual demand spikes requiring an additional 200-300 workers. It doesn't make business sense to keep those employees on payroll year-round when they could partner with a talent acquisition firm to secure qualified people for peak periods and scale back when demand normalizes. This approach to workforce management helps you stay nimble without sacrificing production capacity.

Or what if your company is launching a new software platform? You'll need specialized developers, UI/UX designers, and QA testers, but you're not sure how many of these roles will be needed long-term after the initial build. Temporary staffing gives you the flexibility to bring in exactly the technical talent you need without making permanent hiring commitments. Plus, these professionals often bring experience from multiple industries and technology environments, providing valuable perspectives that can improve your product.

The strategic benefits include both financial and operational advantages:

• Market intelligence: Partnering with a staffing company provides valuable information about talent availability and costs in your industry, informing strategic decisions about expansion or new initiatives.
• Technology access: Building or buying access to vast recruitment technologies internally requires substantial investment. Staffing partners offer advanced tools that streamline hiring processes without the capital expenditure.
• Specialized expertise: For projects requiring specific skills, temporary staffing gives you access to specialized talent without long-term commitments.
• Benefits savings: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, benefits account for about 30% of an employee's total compensation costs, creating significant savings when using temporary workers for certain roles.

Temporary staffing has become vital to the American economy. The American Staffing Association reports that staffing companies hired 12.7 million temporary and contract employees during 2023, with nearly 2.5 million temporary workers employed during an average week.

Fresh perspectives drive innovation

One of the most overlooked advantages of temporary staff is the wealth of cross-industry experience they bring to your organization. These professionals have worked in various environments, used different technologies, and observed multiple management approaches. They arrive with perspectives that can challenge stagnant thinking and introduce innovation.

I've seen temporary staff suggest process improvements within days of starting because they spotted inefficiencies that long-time employees had simply accepted as "how things are done." They bring fresh eyes to your operations and become a valuable source of new ideas and approaches.

Nine out of ten temporary employees report that staffing work has increased their employability precisely because they gain:

• New skills through varied experiences
• Knowledge about different businesses
• Exposure to diverse technologies
• A chance to "try before they commit" to a career path

This cross-pollination of knowledge doesn't just benefit the workers—it benefits every organization they join. By embracing temporary talent as valuable contributors rather than stopgaps, companies gain access to this rich diversity of experience and the innovative thinking it generates.

Your worst mistake: treating temporary staff as disposable

The single biggest mistake companies make with temporary staff is treating them as disposable. This approach damages your employer reputation and creates unnecessary turnover. It's a huge hit to your brand wherever you sit, and you can ruin your reputation as an employer by doing so.

Successful companies communicate internally about the value temporary staff bring to their organization. They make these professionals feel connected to the company's mission while respecting their employment relationship with the staffing partner. This balance creates an environment where temporary staff can thrive and deliver exceptional value.

For best results:

• Create a clear onboarding plan to educate temporary staff on your culture and operations
• Tell your team leaders why these workers are important to your business strategy
• Partner with a staffing firm that develops and treats talent well

When temporary workers are respected and integrated thoughtfully into your organization, they become more engaged, more productive, and more likely to represent your company positively both during their assignment and afterward.

Temporary talent for many business needs

In our work, we've seen how temporary staffing can support businesses of any size. But how do you know when you need to hire temporary staff? Consider the following situations:

• Experiencing demand fluctuations: Some companies see seasonal "peaks and valleys" in their demand, requiring additional workers for limited periods.
• Covering leaves of absence: For example, a small plumbing company may need coverage when a receptionist is out on parental leave.
• Launching new initiatives: Companies can use temporary staffing to launch new projects without committing to permanent hires.
• Evaluating the longevity of a role: We ask clients questions like "Do you think this role is going to live past six months, a year? How will it change?" to determine if temporary staffing is appropriate.
• Seeking specialized expertise: For roles that require specific skills for limited projects, temporary staffing can be a smart solution.
• Business & market expansion: Companies can utilize temporary workers to ramp staff within new locations for business expansion into new or emerging markets.

Then and now: Evolution of temporary staffing

Temporary staffing began with a vision. Our founder, William Russell Kelly, predicted that post-World War II America would experience an economic boom creating demand for skilled office workers. Initially, Kelly offered paperwork services completed at his own location. The industry was born when clients asked if these employees could work directly at their sites instead—creating what we now recognize as temporary staffing.

From those modest beginnings in office support, the industry has expanded to include virtually every sector and labor category imaginable. Today, Kelly connects over 400,000 job seekers with meaningful work each year.

The most successful temporary staffing partnerships begin with understanding business fundamentals: What goals is the company pursuing? What growth challenges exist? How quickly must they respond to market shifts? This understanding allows for workforce solutions tailored to specific needs.

Smart business leaders view temporary staffing as a powerful business tool that:

• Enables quick response to market changes
• Provides specialized expertise on demand
• Introduces fresh perspectives that spark innovation
• Balances talent investment with flexibility

Forward-thinking organizations make temporary staffing a cornerstone of their business strategy. This approach gives them the agility to thrive amid constant change and the expertise to tackle specialized challenges. When used strategically, temporary staffing becomes more than a reactive solution. Now, it’s your competitive advantage that helps you adapt faster, innovate better, and win in your market.

Ready to turn temporary staffing into a competitive advantage?
Explore how Kelly’s Temporary & Contract Staffing can help you access specialized talent, respond to shifting market needs, and scale your workforce with confidence.