Tag: temp work versus permanent position

If you’re like most Americans, you’re going to switch careers or employers at least four times in your life. When this happens and you’re not sure of your next move, the uncertainties and unknowns can be stressful. What if you have to relocate? Do you have enough money to get by in the interim? How long will it take to land another position? Are you qualified enough for the type of job you want? The questions are endless. With that said, one of the most important things to consider is what do you do in the meantime? Obviously, you’re going to look for new opportunities. But what if a temporary offer comes along? Should you take it? Or will it distract you from looking for something long term? It’s a tough decision but we have some ideas.

Reality

Although taking a temp assignment or two isn’t what you want to do for the rest of your life, it might not be the worst idea. The reality is that more and more, employers are looking to hire contract workers because they don’t have to offer employee benefits that hurt their bottom line. As a result, it might take you longer than you’d like to find that lucrative fulltime position with all the extras you’re after.

Financial Help

Even if you’re set and can survive for a while without a salary, it’s a comfort knowing that you can rely on some steady income at least for a while. As much as you might not like it, you have to think in both the short term and long term. That’s especially true when it comes to your savings. Even if you have enough money to get by for a few months, not having to burn through it in the short term means you won’t have to replenish it later on.

Opportunity to Learn and Grow

We get it, taking a temporary position might bruise your ego a bit. But guess what, more often than not these opportunities give you a chance to learn something new, refine your skills and get paid. Let’s be honest, adding new skills and more experience to your resume is never a bad thing.

No Employment Gap

Because employers are hiring more temporary or contract workers, it can take longer to find permanent employment when you’re looking for a new job. And guess what? When you finally go to apply for that permanent position, the hiring manager doesn’t want to see any significant gaps on your resume. That’s another way temporary work can help. Instead of having to explain why you’ve been unemployed for 10 months, you can show that you’ve kept your skills sharp until the right opportunity came along.

Networking

Even as a temporary employee, you’re going to have the chance to meet and work closely with people in an organization. As you build professional relationships and prove your worth, others are going to notice. These folks know other people and can prove to be a great resource in connecting you with their networks and be great references down the road.

It Might Lead to Something Permanent

It’s amazing how many times temporary gigs turn into full-time positions. What starts out as a three-month contract to implement a new project or handle a spike in workload often times turns into a permanent role with a pay raise and benefits. The logic is pretty simple. Organizations prefer to hire internally when a new position comes open. Even if you’re on a contract for a limited time, you will already have been thoroughly vetted and given the opportunity to prove yourself. So, as long as you put forth your best effort and get results, you never know what might happen.

Temporary work is just that, temporary. And sure, you’re going to want to find something permanent after a while. But is it really all that bad? Would you rather spend your time between jobs worrying and draining your bank account or sharpening your skills and gaining valuable experience? At the end of the day, temp work might not be your dream job. But if you’re willing to swallow your pride and seize the opportunity, the experience can prove to be a catalyst to propel you in the right direction.