Strategic use of temporary staffing in the recruiting mix: How modern personnel planning works

Rethinking temporary work: from gap filler to strategic instrument

In times of skills shortages, economic uncertainty and changing working models, flexible HR strategies are becoming increasingly important. Traditional permanent employment alone is often no longer sufficient to efficiently and sustainably cover the increasing demand for personnel.

More and more companies are therefore focussing on hybrid recruitment, in which temporary staff are not only used to bridge short-term bottlenecks, but are also used specifically as part of a holistic recruiting mix. What used to be seen as a temporary solution is now an essential part of modern HR strategies.

What does "recruiting mix" mean and what role does temporary work play?

The recruiting mix encompasses all channels, formats and methods that companies use to attract employees. The aim is to find the best talent from various sources while being able to react flexibly to changes in the labour market. Typical components of a well-structured recruiting mix are

• Internal recruitment and talent pools
• Direct applications via career portals
• Active sourcing and social recruiting
• Recruitment and executive search
• Temporary employment and labour leasing

Temporary staffing in the recruiting mix means not only viewing temporary employees as short-term help, but also strategically incorporating them into medium-term personnel planning. For example for:

• filling vacancies quickly,
• Testing of potential permanent positions (temp-to-perm),
• Support with projects and order peaks or
• Relief for internal teams during peak periods or absences.

Temporary work is an effective instrument for increasing or reducing capacity without entering into long-term commitments, particularly in occupational fields that are difficult to fill - such as warehousing, production, care, call centres or technical services.

Advantages of temporary work for your recruiting strategy

A well thought-out, strategic use of temporary staffing brings a whole range of concrete benefits, especially in dynamic markets with a volatile order situation and a shortage of skilled labour.

1. flexibility with fluctuating personnel requirements

Especially in times of economic uncertainty, it is important to manage personnel requirements flexibly. Temporary work makes it possible to respond to peaks in demand at short notice without permanently increasing the workforce. This increases the speed of response and reduces financial risks.

2. rapid availability of reliable staff

Recruitment service providers have extensive applicant databases and regionally well-connected teams. This means that positions can be filled with suitable candidates in a short space of time, often within just a few days.

3. expansion of the talent pool

Not everyone is looking for a permanent position straight away. Temporary work also appeals to people who want to work on a project-orientated basis, who want to make a career change or who want to return to work after a longer break. This expands the talent pool considerably.

4. trial before permanent employment ("Try & Hire")

The opportunity to get to know employees on assignment first reduces misplacements and makes it easier to join the team. If suitable, the move to a permanent position can be made without any problems - ideal for growth-orientated teams.

5. discharge of the HR department

From applicant selection and onboarding to ongoing support: HR service providers take on centralised recruiting tasks and give internal HR teams more room for strategic tasks. It all depends on what the company needs. The spectrum ranges from support with individual steps to an all-round carefree package.

6. standardisation & legal certainty

Especially in the context of temporary employment, temporary work entails standardised processes and contractual clarity. A professional company takes on administrative tasks and ensures compliance with labour and collective bargaining law.

How to integrate temporary staffing into your HR strategy in a meaningful way

An effective recruitment mix with temporary staff is not an ad hoc solution, but requires a strategic basis and a reliable counterpart. These steps help with successful integration:

1. analyse internal requirements

Which positions are suitable for temporary assignments? Where are there recurring staff shortages (e.g. holiday replacements, sickness absence or seasonal fluctuations)?

2. define clear processes

Standardised processes, responsibilities and communication with the personnel service provider are crucial. Who coordinates assignments internally? Who gives feedback? How is the induction organised?

3. select reputable service providers

Rely on personnel service providers with industry expertise, a regional presence and clear quality standards. Look out for transparent conditions, collectively agreed contracts and good support for your temporary employees.

4. think long-term

Temporary staffing as part of personnel planning means moving away from short-term stopgaps and towards a strategic addition to the recruiting portfolio. Use the experience gained from previous assignments to continuously improve your planning.

When temporary work makes particular sense

The use of temporary labour is particularly worthwhile in certain situations or sectors:

• Growth phases: Companies that are growing strongly often need temporary support before new structures are established.
• Project work: Temporary work can specifically free up capacity for temporary projects, e.g. in IT, research or production.
• Production peaks: Temporary work helps to cope with short-term volumes, especially in industry and logistics.
• Skilled labour shortage: In highly competitive professions, temporary work provides access to talent that is difficult to reach through traditional channels.

Conclusion: Temporary work is more than a tool - it is part of the solution

The strategic use of temporary staffing in the recruitment mix opens up new ways for companies to respond to modern recruitment challenges. It ensures greater flexibility, faster processes, lower risks and opens up new opportunities to retain talent in the long term.

Modern recruiting strategies rely on diversity. And temporary work is a central component of this. Those who utilise it wisely gain adaptability and the ability to act - today and in the future.