When you register with a recruitment agency in Northern Ireland you will usually be asked what type of contract you are looking for. It is worth answering deliberately, because the three main options suit very different circumstances.
Temporary work
Temporary assignments run for a set period or until a piece of work is finished. You are paid weekly through PAYE payroll, you build up holiday entitlement, and you are enrolled into a pension once you meet the qualifying conditions.
Temporary work suits you if you need income quickly, want to try several employers or sectors, are studying or have caring commitments that make fixed long term hours difficult, or are new to the local market and building references.
The trade off is predictability. Assignments can be extended, shortened or ended, and hours can vary week to week.
Temp to perm
Temp to perm starts as a temporary assignment with the clear intention that a permanent contract follows if both sides are happy. It is effectively a paid trial in both directions.
It suits you if you are changing sector, returning to work after a break, or want to see how an employer actually operates before committing. It suits employers who want to be certain about fit before adding a permanent headcount. Ask two things up front: how long the temporary period is expected to run, and what the permanent terms would look like.
Permanent work
A permanent contract gives you the most security: fixed hours, contractual notice, employer sick pay schemes where offered, structured progression and full access to benefits from the start.
It suits you if you are settled in your location, want to build a career in one place, or need the stability that mortgage lenders and landlords tend to ask for.
How to decide
Ask yourself three questions. How soon do you need to be earning? How certain are you about the sector? How much do you value predictable hours over flexibility?
If you need income now and are still exploring, start temporary. If you want a route into a specific employer, look for temp to perm. If you are certain about the role and the sector, hold out for permanent.
A note on pay
Temporary rates are quoted hourly and can look higher than a permanent salary, but compare like for like. Factor in holiday, sick arrangements, pension, guaranteed hours and any shift premiums before deciding which is genuinely better paid.
Whichever route suits you, the type is shown on every vacancy we list, and your local branch can talk you through what is realistic in your area before you apply.