A Day in the Life of a Temporary Recruiter

The role of a temporary recruiter at Essential Employment is fast-paced, dynamic, and full of challenges. While it might seem like a typical day revolves around finding candidates and filling roles, the truth is much more complex. From managing tight deadlines to maintaining strong relationships with both candidates and clients, the job requires balancing precision with urgency—all while making sure compliance is met and expectations are exceeded.

Let’s take a look at what a typical day might look like in our business…

8:00 AM – Starting with the Essentials: Checking Emails and Messages

The day usually kicks off by diving into emails, messages, and voicemails. Clients may have urgent requests for temporary staff or updates about existing placements. There could also be emails from candidates who’ve sent their CVs overnight or inquiries about open positions.

The key here is prioritising. Our recruiters quickly assesses which tasks need immediate attention. Some clients might have same-day requirements for staff, while others could be looking for candidates to start the following week.

9:00 AM – Urgent Client Calls and Role Briefing

Temporary recruiters often deal with last-minute requests from clients, particularly in industries like the Public Sector, where staffing needs can change daily. A client might call to request five temporary workers for a project starting tomorrow, and it’s the recruiter’s job to fill those roles as quickly as possible.

During these calls, it’s essential to gather all the necessary details: role responsibilities, working times, pay rates, and any specific requirements like certifications or skills. Temporary recruiters must listen carefully and ask the right questions to ensure they can find the perfect fit.

10:00 AM – Candidate Sourcing and Screening

With the client’s needs in mind, the next step is to find the right candidates. Temporary recruiters have to work fast. They’ll search their internal databases, scan job boards, or reach out to candidates they’ve previously worked with.

Screening is vital, even when time is tight. It involves calling candidates to discuss the role, confirming their availability, and ensuring they meet the necessary requirements. This can be anything from verifying certifications to checking right-to-work documentation. Temporary recruiters are pros at spotting great candidates quickly but must ensure every hire meets compliance standards before sending them over to the client.

12:00 PM – Interviewing Candidates and Prepping for Placement

Depending on the urgency of the role, temporary recruiters might need to interview candidates directly. These interviews are usually shorter than those for permanent positions, focusing on core skills, experience, and the candidates’ ability to hit the ground running.

After the interview, recruiters need to ensure candidates are fully prepared for the placement. This involves confirming job details, setting expectations, and making sure the candidates know where to go and when to start.

1:00 PM – Lunchtime (But on Standby)

Even during lunch, temporary recruiters are on alert for urgent calls. It’s not unusual for a client to make a last-minute request that needs to be addressed before the afternoon is over. Flexibility is key in this role, and often, lunchtime is more of a quick break between calls and emails.

1:30 PM – Managing Compliance and Documentation

In the world of temporary recruitment, compliance is everything. After sourcing candidates and conducting interviews, it’s time to ensure that all paperwork is in order. Recruiters must check documents like passports, work visas, and qualifications to make sure every candidate is fully compliant with legal and company requirements.

This also includes ensuring payroll details are correct, so the candidate gets paid accurately and on time. A temporary recruiter must have sharp attention to detail, as even a small oversight can lead to compliance risks or delays in payments.

3:00 PM – Following Up with Clients and Candidates

By mid-afternoon, it’s time to check in with clients and candidates. The recruiter may follow up with clients to confirm that they’re satisfied with the candidates they’ve received, or to address any issues that might have arisen during the placement.

At the same time, the recruiter needs to stay in touch with candidates, especially those on longer assignments. Are they happy in the role? Are there any problems? Keeping lines of communication open ensures that any issues are addressed early and that relationships remain strong.

4:30 PM – Handling New Requests and Planning for Tomorrow

As the day winds down, new requests from clients often come in for the following day or week. The recruiter will update their task list, prioritise roles that need immediate action, and start planning candidate outreach for upcoming jobs.

Temporary recruiters always have to think ahead. They may already be mapping out potential candidates for roles they know will come up, like holiday cover or seasonal work. By the end of the day, a recruiter’s to-do list is often longer than it was in the morning, but they know that flexibility and responsiveness are part of the job.

5:30 PM – Wrapping Up the Day

Before clocking out, our recruiters ensures everything is in order for the next day. This might involve sending final emails, organising interviews, or making sure all compliance paperwork is complete. Even though the official workday is over, temporary recruiters often remain available for urgent calls or requests that might come in outside regular hours—especially when managing essential roles in the Public Sector.

The Key to Success: Balancing Speed and Quality

Temporary recruitment at Essential Employment is all about balancing speed with precision. Clients expect fast results, and candidates need placements quickly. However, quality can’t be compromised—ever! All candidate must be the right fit for the role, and compliance must be accurate at all times.

The best temporary recruiters thrive in this high-pressure environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously and staying organised while maintaining strong relationships with both clients and candidates. Each day is different, but the core responsibility remains the same: delivering the best talent in the shortest possible time, without cutting corners.

It’s a challenging but rewarding role—perfect for those who love working with people, thrive in fast-paced environments, and enjoy solving problems!