I briefly mentioned that I managed to score a new job.
The timing wasn’t great; after all, I am returning from my marriage leave and starting a new job, so interviewing for a new job and winding down a role that you’ve been in for years, all on top of gearing up and planning for a wedding is not ideal. However, it will be nice to start a new position as I start my new life as a married person.
In May, a posting popped up for an exciting opportunity with a company that I’ve worked with before. I loved the company and felt that I was able to do my best work there, as the environment is supportive and challenging.
There was one hitch: the position was temporary. I have a mortgage to pay, and a lifestyle to maintain, and I didn’t think temporary was ideal for me at the time. Still, I applied for the role knowing that applying doesn’t hurt.
The interview process was just as I remembered it from the first time around, and it piqued my interest in the role further. It is a jump in both responsibility and pay, so while I did very well in the interview, I wasn’t sure if they would still entertain me for the position.
As I mulled over the issue of the position being temporary, it became clear to me that my resistance to temporary work is fear-based. I fear that I won’t be able to find a position directly after the temporary one ends. I fear that something will happen whereby I will need my benefits from a regular job. Most of all, though, I fear the unknown.
Fear holds me back in other ways, but this is the first time it’s become so apparent to me, so I decided to completely change the course of my thinking. I began to see opportunities in taking a temporary job offer. If I didn’t feel that the job was the right fit, I could just end my term on a happy note. If it wasn’t extended, it would give me the opportunity to take some time off, grow my businesses, see how it works out. Or, travel! I have wanted to travel my entire life but have been working full-time since I was 15. A break in employment is the perfect time for that.
J and I have been dreaming and working toward a specific goal, and the huge boost in salary and potential end of term would fit nicely into our timeline for reaching it.
The temporary position would give me a huge boost up and enable me to find another position – temporary or not – after this role ends in a much higher pay grade.
When I received the call from the Director offering me the position in late June, my stomach clenched as I verbally accepted the offer. There is something so scary about leaving the comfort blanket of a pension, lucrative benefits, paid life insurance and guaranteed income for the next several years for a risk like this.
Even so, I did it.
I did it, and as a result, I promoted myself into a pretty decent raise.
As you can imagine, the work that I’ll be doing will be much more rewarding; I will have more control over my work. Self autonomy is important to me.
Come the end of the term? Who knows. They have said they anticipate the need to either extend the position or make it permanent, but to be honest, the uncertainty is a bit exciting.
I started the position today, as I am writing this, and I know that I made the right move. I wasn’t being fair to myself. My abilities far surpass what I was doing at my old job and I know I am both deserving of and capable of a promotion.
WOOHOO!
You articulated all the reasons I fear temp/contract work. That said, for the right $$$, contracting would also give me the flexibility to travel more. But honestly until T has more of a settled job track, I am very risk averse as we need at least one steady income.
Hey Congrats! New jobs are always scary but exciting, I’m sure you’ll do awesome. I like that you recognized that fear is what was holding you back – and that you consciously decided to move into that fear. Way to grow.
Yay, congratulations on the new position and overcoming your fears. The unknown is always scary, good work on getting past that.
You will be able to sock away a lot more with a pay raise of that much! If it is contract without retirement benefits and stock options, etc, make sure you don’t shortchange your savings rate when you lose the company portion.
Congratulations! And that’s one whomping raise! I understand the hesitation to apply to temporary positions, especially when you do have responsibilities such as a mortgage, but I’m sure this will be a great learning experience and a great stepping stone.
Congratulations! I like how you turned the negatives of a temporary job into positives! Good luck!
Love this post! Congrats on the new job. You should very happy 🙂 Awesome raise as well!
I needed to read this today! Isn’t it crazy how we say we want new challenges, and to take risks, and to advance our career, and to take time off to travel…but then when the opportunity presents itself, we think, “too risky, must stay safe!”
You should be so proud of yourself for facing your fears. Keep us updated!
Congratulations on your new role. I hope it is everything you hope for. BTW, did you blog about your wedding? Did I miss that? 😉
Congratulations on finding positive reasons to take the new job and overcoming your fear of temporary contracts!
Congratulations! The fear of the unknown is a problem for a lot of people, myself included. I love how you’ve changed this into a positive experience.
Congratulations! It is hard to leave a secured job, but you are still quite young, and can take that risk. Besides, with the new temp position, you will probably be learning a lot more than if you stayed at your secured job. All the new knowledge and experience will definitely benefit you in the future and help you up to a even higher position. 😀
Wow, congrats on the new role! I am the same with temporary positions. They come up all the time but I can’t seem to wrap my head around a position that will eventually end. Some people would jump at the chance and not me. I suppose it’s fear based for me as well as I have bills to pay (ie. mortgage)
Congrats! I know temporary work can be scary, but sometimes it just feels right. I’m even up for a position now, and everyone (like my boss’s boss) is telling me how it’s only guaranteed for 2 years. Two freaking years and people are still worried about the permanance of it. Way to go for being awesome and doing what you had to do!
“My abilities far surpass what I was doing at my old job and I know I am both deserving of and capable of a promotion.”
I can’t tell you how big I smiled when I read this. So proud of you, lady.