Purpose: The aim of this article is to explore the influence of precarious (temporary) employment on employability and career development. Design/methodology/approach: The article draws together primary and secondary research material. Findings: Findings indicate that there are both positive and negative perspectives with regard to temporary employment and career development for both the workers themselves and the user firms. Research limitations/implications: Implications arising are that policy development/research is required to investigate potential interventions that could be introduced. Practical implications: These are in line with the article's suggestion of adopting transitional labour market strategies. These major transitions are between education and employment; (unpaid) caring and employment; unemployment and employment; retirement and employment; "precarious" and permanent employment. Originality/value: The article outlines two facets of precariousness associated with temporary work in relation to the worker and the user firm. It also presents a newly devised three-stage typology of skill and skill acquisition that is relevant to the topic. (Contains 2 tables.)