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.

3 Reasons Why Working Temporary or Contract Jobs Is Awesome is a post from: When Life Gives You Lemons. Did you like the post? Follow me on Twitter, like me on Facebook, or hop on over to my blog and leave me your feedback.