Have you ever applied for a temporary job where you met all the technical requirements but still didn’t get the response you were hoping for? Have you wondered if, beyond your CV and work experience, the employer may have focused more on your personality, attitude, communication style, or the way you respond to challenges?
If so, your question is perfectly valid. According to a study published by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 82% of employers say that personality traits are just as important—if not more important—than technical skills when selecting candidates for temporary positions. Why? Because success in such roles often depends on how quickly you can integrate, how well you collaborate with an already established team, and how effectively you manage a fast-paced environment, often with little onboarding.
Let’s take a closer look: does personality really matter when recruiting for a temporary role? And more importantly, what can you do to improve your chances of success, regardless of contract duration?
Personality: An Underrated but Essential Factor
Temporary roles are often associated with candidates looking for short-term income and employers needing to fill positions quickly. However, these professional relationships are far from simple.
A report by ManpowerGroup shows that 78% of companies consider “cultural and behavioral fit” a key factor when selecting temporary staff. Employers note that a candidate who integrates easily and collaborates well delivers impact faster and minimizes risks of conflict or inefficiency—even over a short period.
Similarly, an article published in Harvard Business Review highlights that traits such as openness to new experiences, emotional stability, and conscientiousness are directly correlated with job performance—even in temporary roles.
In other words, personality isn’t just a detail—it’s a central piece of the professional puzzle.
What Personality Traits Are Employers Looking For?
Every company has different expectations, but there are several traits that are consistently valued in candidates applying for temporary roles:
- Adaptability – The ability to learn quickly and adjust to new processes and colleagues.
- Proactivity – Taking initiative is crucial, especially when there’s little time for in-depth training.
- Positive Attitude – The way you handle pressure or uncertainty can make all the difference.
- Empathy and Team Spirit – In an already-functioning team, strong interpersonal skills are essential.
- Reliability and Punctuality – These matter just as much in short-term roles as they do in long-term positions.
As we look to the future, critical thinking, adaptability, and digital fluency are becoming foundational for anyone wanting to stay relevant in the workforce. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, nearly 40% of today’s skills will become obsolete by 2030. The most in-demand skills in 2025 will include:
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Resilience and adaptability
- Leadership and social influence
- Continuous learning and curiosity
How Can You Highlight Your Personality?
When applying for a temporary job, competition can be fierce and time is limited. That’s why every detail matters—how you present yourself, how you talk about your experiences, what your behavior communicates, and how well you adapt. Here are some practical strategies to make a positive impression:
1. Be Authentic—But Strategic—During the Interview
Employers can quickly tell when someone is reciting memorized phrases or trying to be someone they’re not. You don’t need to overdo it to impress. What matters more is finding the right balance between honesty and relevance. How to do this: Before the interview, think of 2–3 situations where you had to learn quickly or adapt on the fly. Share these stories briefly, focusing on the outcome.
Cum poti face asta concret? Inainte de interviu, gandeste-te la 2-3 situatii in care ai fost nevoit sa inveti ceva rapid sau sa te adaptezi din mers. Povesteste-le concis si pune accent pe rezultat.
2. Build a CV That Reflects Who You Are—Not Just What You’ve Done
Many candidates simply list previous jobs and responsibilities. For temporary roles, it’s important to also highlight how you worked, not just what you did. If you lack extensive experience, you can compensate by clearly showcasing your working style.
Add a short “Professional Profile” section with 2–3 sentences about yourself. For example:
“I am an organized, flexible individual with a strong willingness to learn quickly. I adapt easily to team environments and remain solution-focused under pressure.”
3. Pay Attention to Non-Verbal Communication
Even in temporary roles, employers look at your attitude, energy, and interaction style. Whether the interview is online or by phone, your smile, tone, and clarity of response send a strong message: that you’re engaged and motivated.
Helpful tips:
Test your internet connection and lighting beforehand if it’s a video interview
Look into the camera, not just at the screen
Don’t interrupt, but don’t say too little either—aim for balance
4. Research the Company and Role
Even if the position is short-term, showing interest in the employer makes a difference. Instead of seeming like you’re applying at random, you’ll appear professional and prepared if you know a few key facts.
What to look up:
What does the company do?
What products or services does it offer?
What challenges might it face—and what could you bring to the table?
- What are customers or communities saying about the company?
Use this information in your responses to show you understand the company’s context and expectations.
5. Get Familiar With Personality and Work Style Tests
More and more companies are using personality assessments and logic-based tests, even for temporary roles. While these are rarely make-or-break, they help recruiters understand how you think, react, and whether your working style aligns with the team.
What you can do:
Try free tools like 16personalities.com or Truity.
Reflect on your traits—are you more introverted or extroverted? Analytical or creative?
In the interview, speak honestly about how you work best and what environments help you thrive
6. Show Consistency and Reliability—Even in Short-Term Roles
Every interaction with an employer can lead to a recommendation, valuable experience, or even a longer-term opportunity.
How to show professionalism:
Be punctual and meet deadlines—even during the selection process
Send a follow-up thank-you email after your interview
Always be polite and ethical—even for a one-week assignment
7. Seek Support From a Staffing or Recruitment Agency
Smartemp has over 13 years of experience in staffing services and over 10 years working with multinationals. We offer:
- Personalized consulting – We help you find roles suited to your personality and skill set
- Fast access to opportunities. They have direct connections with employers.
- Support throughout the entire process. From the interview to contract negotiation, Smartemp offers complete support.
After you accept the offer, we will schedule a meeting to provide information regarding the required employment documents, working conditions, and the job description.
The partnership with Smartemp is based on communication, trust, and flexibility. We periodically evaluate the services offered and look for ways to optimize activities for both candidates and companies. We ensure that employees can extend their temporary contracts up to 36 months or explore other temporary work options.
Apply to recrutare@smartemp.ro
Even in a temporary role, how you work, collaborate, and adapt matters. Employers are looking for dependable, flexible, and communicative individuals—traits that come from personality, not just experience.
What can you do right now? Prepare thoroughly, show genuine interest in the company, communicate clearly about your work style, and treat every opportunity with professionalism. Every interaction is a chance—whether it leads to a recommendation or the next career step.
Sources for the article “Does Personality Matter in Temporary Job Recruitment? What You Can Do to Succeed”:
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “Employers Place High Value on Personality” –
ManpowerGroup, “2023 Talent Shortage Survey”
Harvard Business Review, “What Personality Traits Make You a Better Employee?”
World Economic Forum – Future of Jobs Report 2025
Read also:
https://smartemp.ro/2025/05/14/cum-te-poti-pregati-pentru-joburi-de-vara/