What Every Hiring Manager Should Know About Temporary Staffing

Struggling to find high quality temporary staff? Discover our top tip on how to navigate temporary recruitment in London.

In an ideal world, your team would be fully resourced all year round, everyone would take holidays at different times, no one would ever call in sick, and the end-of-quarter crunch would come with a time-freeze button.

Sadly, reality often looks a little different.

The truth is, even the most organised, well-oiled organisations occasionally need extra hands. Whether it’s holiday cover, a team member on parental leave, an unexpected workload spike, or interim support during a recruitment drive, temporary staff can be a lifesaver.

But here’s the catch: hiring temporary staff isn’t as simple as just filling a seat. To get the most value - and avoid unnecessary headaches - it pays to approach temp recruitment strategically. And that’s exactly where we come in.

If you’re hiring in a city like London, where the pace is fast and expectations are high, knowing how to navigate temporary recruitment can make all the difference. So, if you’re a hiring manager, here’s what you really need to know about temporary hires (and how a specialist recruitment consultancy like VWA can help).

Why Temporary Staffing Isn’t Just a Quick Fix

Let’s start by flipping the narrative. Temporary staffing isn’t a last resort - rather, it’s a smart, flexible solution to modern workforce challenges. When done right, it’s a way to:

• Maintain continuity during absences or transition
  

• Bring in specialised skills for short-term projects
  

• Trial talent before offering a permanent role
  

• Increase bandwidth during peak periods
  

• Keep your team motivated by avoiding burnout
  

And let’s not forget: in today’s world, agility is everything. The ability to scale your support team quickly and seamlessly is often the difference between staying on top of operations… or falling behind.

But for all the benefits of hiring temporary staff, temporary recruitment comes with its own set of considerations - which is exactly where our top tips for hiring temp staff come into play.

What Hiring Managers Need to Know About Hiring Temporary Staff

1. Not All Temps Are Created Equal

Let’s bust a myth: temporary staff are not simply ‘between jobs’. In fact, many highly skilled professionals choose temp work because it suits their lifestyle, gives them flexibility, or offers variety.

At VWA, we meet experienced Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Office Managers, Team Assistants and Receptionists who thrive in temporary roles and bring serious value to the table. These individuals are adaptable, confident, and capable of hitting the ground running from day one.

But you won’t find these people just anywhere. You need to know where to look - and how to spot them. Because we take the time to understand people, not just profiles, we uncover temps who bring real impact – not just a polished CV.

2. Cultural Fit Still Matters (Even for Short-Term Hires)

Just because someone’s only joining you for a few weeks, it doesn’t mean that cultural fit goes out the window. In fact, when the timeline is tight, it’s arguably more important.

Your temp may be supporting senior leaders, working closely with high-pressure teams, or even interacting with clients. If they don’t gel with your ways of working, it can quickly become a distraction rather than a solution.

That’s why, here at VWA, we always consider more than just the CV. We assess personality, communication style, working pace, and soft skills - because a seamless fit leads to a smoother experience for everyone.

3. The Right Brief Makes All the Difference

Here’s a common trap that we’ve definitely seen a fair few times: a hiring manager needs cover now, so they send a vague request - “just someone who can help out for a bit.”

However, the truth is that a strong temporary placement starts with a strong brief. The more you can tell us about what you really need - responsibilities, priorities, team dynamics, systems in use - the better we can match the right candidate.

In fact, that’s exactly why, here at VWA, whether we are recruiting for contract, permanent or temporary staff, we always take recruitment personally, getting to know each and every one of our candidates and clients properly.

That’s why a key stage of our proven process is a briefing meeting. During this meeting, your recruitment consultant will get to know you, your business, and your hiring needs, enabling them to understand your company and its culture to ensure we find right-fit candidates every time.

Do you need someone to manage a complex diary across multiple time zones? Someone who can confidently step into a client-facing role? Or just a safe pair of hands to keep the inbox tidy and the office calm?

We can absolutely find that person - but only if we know what we’re aiming for.

4. Speed Doesn’t Mean Sacrificing Quality

We get it - when you need a temp, you often need them yesterday. But that doesn’t mean you should settle for someone who’s “good enough”.

As a consultancy specialising in temporary recruitment in London, we pride ourselves on moving quickly and maintaining our high standards. Because we maintain close relationships with a pre-vetted talent pool, we’re able to respond fast, without ever compromising on fit or capability.

You shouldn’t have to choose between “quick” and “right”. With the right recruitment partner, you can have both.

We have a vast network of temps we can tap into, ensuring we find the best option for you – whatever the timeframe.

5. Temporary Doesn’t Mean Low Commitment

Hiring someone on a temporary basis doesn’t mean they should be treated like a placeholder. The best temps bring energy, professionalism and dedication - but it’s important to remember that this is a two-way street.

Welcoming them properly, offering support, and setting clear expectations can help them deliver their best work - these are all essentially steps if you want to ensure your temporary hire hits the ground running. Plus, it also increases the chances they’ll want to return if you need them again - which is a real win when you find someone great.

In other words: treat your temps well, and they’ll repay you in productivity.

How VWA Supports Temporary Recruitment in London

At VWA, we specialise in temporary recruitment London for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants and a wealth of business support roles. With over 35 years of experience and a reputation for precision, speed and care, we’re proud to be a trusted partner for clients across finance, property, management consultancy, executive search, private households and many other industries.

Whether you need someone for two days, two months, or longer, our goal is always the same: to find you the right person, quickly and seamlessly.

Here’s what working with us looks like:

• Tailored Briefings – We get to know you, your team, and your needs so we can deliver the right fit first time.
  

• Handpicked Candidates – Every candidate is pre-screened, referenced, and selected with care.

• Customised Approach – we work to ensure candidates fit your specific compliance needs.

• End-to-End Support – We handle everything from contracts to onboarding and more.
  

• Real Relationships – Many of our temps work exclusively with VWA and become go-to favourites for repeat bookings because we match on more than just skills.
  

We know how important it is to keep your business moving - and we’re here to make sure it does, no matter what curveballs come your way.

Ready to Find Your Next Great Temp?

If you’re feeling the pressure to find temporary cover and want more than just a quick fix, let’s talk. Whether you need an experienced Personal Assistant, Receptionist, a calm and capable Office Manager, or an Executive Assistant who can support at the highest level, we’re here to help.

As one of the most experienced consultancies in temporary recruitment London, we understand what makes a great temp - and what makes a great match. So, let’s work together to find the right support for your team, at the right time.

Get in touch today and let us take the stress out of temporary recruitment.