Planning Your First Quarter of 2026: A Guide for Temporary Welders

Why Planning Now Makes All the Difference
The start of a new year is always a busy time for temporary workers. In my experience, the difference between a smooth first quarter and a stressful one often comes down to preparation over the Christmas break.

Don’t Let An Outdated CV Hold You Back
I’ve seen plenty of welders miss out on top temp roles simply because their CVs weren’t up to date. Take Steve, for example. He’d been placed in multiple roles over the year, but never updated his CV to reflect his most recent skills. When a new temp-to-perm opportunity came up, the employer asked for his CV, and he had to scramble to remember details of his last six months of work, which caused unnecessary stress and could easily have cost him the job.

Keep Your Contact Details Current
Then there was Tom, who changed his email address but didn’t update it with the agencies he liked to regularly work with. They tried contacting him about a great role, but all their messages bounced back. Another candidate, Lee, changed his mobile number and didn’t notify anyone. By the time he realised, the role had already been filled. These are simple mistakes, but they can easily be overlooked and end up costing you your next top temp assignment. So be sure to keep your contact details up to date with the recruitment team. If you're not sure if we have your up-to-date details, you can simply update here: 

Here are some practical steps you can take while things are quieter over the holidays:

Update Your CV
Even a small tweak, like adding your latest places of work, qualifications, and skills, will make you ready for any opportunity that comes your way.

Plan Your Availability
Make a note of which weeks in January you can take on assignments. This helps agencies match you with the right roles quickly.

Reflect on Your Goals
Think about the type of work you want in 2026, higher pay, longer assignments, or gaining new skills. Knowing this helps you make smarter choices.

Brush Up on Your Skills
If you have downtime over Christmas, consider refreshing your welding techniques by reading up on industry changes. A few hours of preparation now can give you a head start.

Double-Check Your Contact Information
Make sure the agencies you work with have your current email and mobile number. It sounds simple, but missing updates can cost you the role you’ve been hoping for.

Hit the Ground Running in 2026
Taking these small steps now means you’ll start the new year ready for success and avoid the last-minute stress Tom and Steve faced. Temporary work can open doors to permanent opportunities, higher pay, and exciting new experiences, but only if you stay ahead of the game.

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