When candidates embark on the job hunt, many are searching for the ideal permanent position with a vast array of benefits and long-term security. Sounds good, right?
As nice as it may be to find the perfect permanent position, it’s not always a possibility. According to the American Staffing Association, more than three million temporary and contract employees work for America’s staffing companies during an average week. Not to mention, over the course of a year, America’s staffing companies hire nearly 16 million temporary and contract employees. So when you’re on a job search, make sure not to look past any contract positions as you may be passing on your next great career opportunity.
I know it can be difficult to see the benefits of a contract position if you’ve never had one before, so I decided to lay them out for you:
You can get back to work quickly.
Searching for a permanent job can be a long and drawn-out process. There are multiple steps, interviews, and approvals that need to get done on top of the hiring manager’s regular duties. That means you and other candidates might be pushed to the back burner if something important comes up. When you’re in line for a contract position, you’re usually working with a recruiter whose sole job it is to get you hired. That expedites the hiring process.
You can evaluate before you commit.
Contract jobs often come with the opportunity for permanent employment after the contract period. The best part about it being a contract? You get to seriously evaluate the employer and the employer gets to evaluate you. It’s a great opportunity to see if the organization is somewhere you can envision yourself working long-term.
It could turn into a permanent role.
As I mentioned above, many contract positions can lead to a permanent role with the client. The American Staffing Association states that one-third of contract employees were offered a permanent job by a client where they worked on an assignment. Getting your foot in the door at top-notch organizations can open a lot of doors for you down the road.
You gain new skills.
Taking on a contract assignment is an awesome way to meet new people and make yourself marketable for future positions. You’ll usually have access to a ton of colleagues with varied skill sets, so it’s easy to rub shoulders with them and learn new things. Once you’ve got those new skills down? Add them to your resume.
It builds up your network.
There’s no question about it, when you work in a contract role, you’re going to meet new people and expand your network. Networking has become a key component in landing a job in today’s market. Having a large and varied group of professionals you can talk to allows you to learn about job opportunities that may not even be on the market yet and can lead to getting your resume in front of the right person. Whether you’re actively or passively job searching, cultivating relationships in the workplace is always rewarding.
Looking for a new job is never easy, but if you were counting out contract positions, it was probably even harder. Now that you know how great contract roles can be, you’re opening a whole new book of opportunities.
