Recently, we have seen more and more clients find or be offered contract or temp work as a path to a full time permanent role. There can be a lot of benefits to this onramp with a company if it fits your life and career goals. Let’s talk more about if/when it’s right to consider a temp or contract role in your job search!
One quick definition clarification. Contractors are not employees. You are not on payroll, you do not receive benefits. You can get hired through a contract, paid via invoice (and then a 1099 at the end of the year) and it’s usually a project based on time bound. You can work with multiple clients (assuming you have the bandwidth). A temporary employee is on the payroll (either directly with the company or through any agency). You “look” like a regular employee, it’s just a short term assignment with an anticipated end date.
There is more flexibility.
A true contractor role means that you should have more control over when and how you work. Because you aren’t an employee, while there are probably expectations from the team, you aren’t bound by the same 9-5 work schedule. This might give you time to continue your job search or just continue to give you some space to breathe while you consider what is next. Even as a temp employee, even if you are working 9-5, this gives you the flexibility to try something out, take a role that maybe isn’t ideal for the long term but helps provide some stability for the short term. And if you don’t enjoy the work, it’s easier to walk away. It also gives the company more flexibility, maybe it’s a new role that they need to see if it really provides the value they are hoping for, or it’s a spike in work and they aren’t sure how long they need the additional employees. It’s like dating when you aren’t ready to settle down!
It’s a great opportunity for career development.
Especially if you are looking to make a career shift or pivot, a contract or temp role can be a “try before you buy” opportunity for both you and the company. It gives you a chance to try out something new (see if you really do want this new role!) and a company can take a chance on someone with a different background with lower risk. It’s also a great way to get to know each other. Even if this role isn’t permanent or long term, now you are “in” at the company. A role can come available while you are temping there, or maybe you prove the value of the work as a contractor and they create a perm role for you. We have seen it happen many times. It gives you the chance to date before you have to settle down, and if you decide they aren’t the one for you, you still learned a lot while you were together!
Weighing the pro’s and con’s for you specifically.
We always tell clients, we can’t make the decision for you, but let’s look at the pro’s and con’s based on what is important to you now and in the near future.
- If you need stability, consistent income, benefits, some of those basic needs, this may not be the right path for you since there is risk that it will just be a short term opportunity and you are still looking (or have to restart) your full time job search in addition to working the short term gig.
- If you are burned out and need a break…but still need to pay the bills, this could be a good opportunity. Keeps you engaged in your field, keeps some money coming in, but isn’t the same commitment as a new full time role (both mentally and often time wise). It might also give you some break from your job search, which can also be exhausting and can give you a chance to refresh before hitting the pavement again with your applications.
- If you want to prove that you can make a career pivot, this can be a great chance for you to test the waters and prove to yourself and others that you can do this. And if that is the case, it’s great to be able to add the new role to your resume so companies see you have already made the switch!
- If you need to pay your bills, this might be a good option while you continue to look for a perm role. Even if it’s not the ideal situation, it fills the gap financially while you continue your job search.
One client took a temp role and while it didn’t turn into a perm role, it helped fill the gap, both on his resume and in his wallet. Another client took a contractor role while the company was figuring out if they needed the role long term, it gave her a chance to make an industry pivot, and it did turn into full time employment. A third client needed a mental break and took some part time contract work while she figured out what was next, it kept her engaged but also gave her the space to decompress.
The Shine at Work® team has a worksheet to help you consider if an opportunity is right for you. Remember your career goals, what is important to you now and in the near future, and that will help you decide if a temp or contractor role could be a good next step.