For a lot of people, temporary or contract jobs are considered not an option. Whether that’s because they have a mortgage to pay, or they don’t like the risk of not being able to find a position immediately after their contract ends, term specific positions are far from the most coveted on the job market.
I used to have a mental block when it came to term positions. I’m young, not too risk adverse, and was capable of far more than what I was doing in my term position, but I was still struggling with wrapping my head around taking a temporary position instead of a regular one.
There are some downsides to temporary jobs, to be sure. These of course include lack of vacation and benefits, job or contract hunting far more often than you might want to, and various other things, but it turns out temporary or contract work can be one of the things that propels you forward in your career.
Here are some of the pros:
1. Things stay interesting
Instead of getting bored at your day job because you’ve been there for three years and know the role inside and out, you always have a challenge when you are taking contract work. After all, you have to get to know the company, the policies, the systems and processes.
Contract hunting can actually be quite fun, especially when you get good at it.
Work is never boring when you are on a contract.
2. Having an up-to-date resume
Constantly job searching requires you to always think about your resume so that you can update it with your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. It also keeps you on the ball with constantly thinking about potential answers to interview questions.
If you aren’t searching for awhile, it’s easy to forget about thinks and look past them when updating your resume the next time a desirable job comes around.
3. Freedom
Unlike with a full-time, permanent job, contract or temp workers have the freedom to pick up at the end of their contract and go wherever they want to go. Maybe they want to work in another country or city, or travel.
There is a lot of freedom with contract work. You are your own boss.
4. Diversifying Your Skills
Even if you are on a contract in the same field but a different industry, you are expanding your skills far beyond what your regular full time job will allow. Not only do you become more adaptable but you also have the ability to learn about different industries, companies and ways of doing things.
This is quite desirable in a career and as you continue to pick up contracts, they will come easier and easier.
Good luck at the interview! Let us know how it goes!
Thanks! I will definitely update =)
Good luck at your interview!
I like that you’re looking on the bright side. I always look for jobs that can be accommodating/flexible for non-work related things. Makes me feel not “quite” so chained down.
Thank you! Ill be practicing tonight :). Organizations are becoming much more likely to offer flextime, which is great!
Good luck on the interview! I’m sure you’ll rock it. Also, I think another pro is learning how to budget and stretch it. Thats how I was before I became salary.
So true! I hadn’t thought of that. It’s definitely a skill I’ve learned throughout my career as a student with no steady, well paying job.
Rock that interview girl! I really enjoyed this post. I printed it out for my sister (who’s in the same boat) to remind her to try and remind her that it’s not all bad.
Wow, my brain totally stammered and I didn’t realize it until I hit post. D’oh!
Awe I’m glad somebody else can get something from the post too 🙂 If I do well at this interview, I have a chance at a full-time, permanent job, so that would be AWESOME.
I think the instability would drive me crazy, but I too try to look on the bright side so I like this post. Things will definitely always be interesting. 🙂 GL and let us know how everything goes!