Finding a new job is not easy and to look for the right full-time job can take some time, especially if you have a certain level of expectations of who you want your employer to be. Job seekers like yourself are interested in attractive employee benefits,the type of organisational structure and culture that you can thrive in.
You may feel nervous or anxious about your ability to find a full-time job that you like within your set timeline, especially if you have already quit your job. Since you’re unemployed, you may also be digging into your savings to pay your bills, which can be extremely stressful.
Most job searches typically take around 3 to 6 months from start to finish. However, some job seekers in senior-level positions may take up to a year to find a job with an employer that they want to work for. If you're currently in the process of looking for a full-time job, you can consider working in an interim role to keep you preoccupied and expand your skill sets.
Contract job is a great way to fill in the career gaps in your CV. It can help maintain your momentum while you’re searching for the right full-time job. Some contract employees are required to work for specific hours while others have more flexibility to set their own work schedules. Furthermore, contract jobs help deepen your competencies and acquire new skills.
In this article, we'll discuss the benefits of contract work and we'll provide some tips on how to find them.
2 main types of contract work
There are two types that you can consider when looking for contract jobs to fill your time.
1. project-based employment contract
A project employment contract is when a company hires a professional contractor for a fixed period of time to complete a specific project. The contract would outline the job expectations and outcomes, which means that the contractor would have a specific list of tasks to complete by the end of the project.
If the contractor is able to complete all the tasks before the deadline, they may receive a completion bonus on top of their base salary, which would also be stated in the employment contract.
Some of the most common types of project work that employers will hire headcount for are for digital transformation, organisational change, business restructuring, new product or service launch or new regulatory reporting requirements.
2. time-based contract work
A time-based contract work is when a company hires a contractor for a fixed period of time to take over the daily responsibilities of another employee who is on parental or sabbatical leave. Time-based contract work can range from 1 month to 12 months, depending on the employers’ workforce needs.
why taking a contract job while looking for full time job is a good idea
Full-time jobs are permanent roles but have you thought that taking up a contract position might be better for your career? Although some may argue that full-time work provides better job and salary stability, you should also make practical decisions that align most with your best interest.
Working in a contract role helps you stay busy while you're searching for a full-time job. This is especially true for people who are returning to work after taking a career break, as it may take you longer to find permanent employment and you’ll need all the help you can get to ease back to the routine of working.
If you’re still trying to figure out if your career choice is the right one for you, pursuing permanent employment may also not be the best idea either. When you realise that you simply don’t have the personal motivation to carry on working in a job that you dread, it’s only a matter of time that you will quit to pursue your true passion. So instead of feeling like you’re stuck, why don’t you take a leap of faith to discover what works best for you?
That is why pursuing contract positions will be a good opportunity, let alone a better alternative pathway for those who are just testing out the industry.
Although it is a short-term position, there are still many notable advantages of contract work that you should be informed with. So here are some good reasons to look for contract positions rather than full-time work!
1. short interview process
The interview process for a contract job is typically shorter than the one for permanent roles. Instead of going for three rounds of interviews, you will just need to attend one. This means you can start work rather quickly to earn a stable income.
2. clear contract terms
The employment contract for an interim role clearly outlines your job responsibilities, start date and end date. This means that you have a clear timeline of when you are available to start searching for and securing full-time employment. For example, if your contract is ending in December, you can set a goal to secure a full-time job that starts in January.
3. gain new work experience
A contract job is a great way to gain experience in your desired field and is also one of the greatest advantages of contract work. If you’re looking to transition into a new industry or career, contract work can be an excellent way to get started.
4. define your expectations
Contract job opportunities are offered by companies of all sizes - from global enterprises to start-ups. If you’ve never worked with a start-up before, going in as a contractor could be a low-risk way to determine if you’re able to thrive in a start-up environment. If not, then at least you know that you perform better in a structured environment that big organisations tend to offer. Hence, taking up a contract position will provide you with a great chance to test things out for yourself within a short period of time!
5. it may lead to full-time employment
Can a contract employee become permanent? - Yes! In some cases, contract workers may be offered an opportunity to convert to become a full-time employee.
Many employers prefer to hire talent who have already worked with them before in a contract job. This is because they already know your work capabilities and don’t have to spend time training a new employee. So, if you're interested in a full-time job with a certain company, it can be helpful to start off by working with them in a contracting capacity.
how to find contract work?
1. network
Let your friends, family, and colleagues know that you're looking for a contract job. The companies that they are working for may have an open full-time contract position or short-term job for you.
2. engage recruitment agencies
There are recruitment agencies that specialise in connecting job seekers with temporary and contract jobs. Our specialised recruitment consultants at Randstad help match professional and experienced contractors from our network with attractive employers.
get hired in a contract role
Jobs come in all shapes and sizes. Taking some time out to do contract work is helpful for you if you’re not entirely sure about your career goals.
We hope that this article has been helpful for you to better understand the benefits of contract work and open up your choices. However, always remember to do some research and see if contract work is a viable route for you. If a compelling contracting opportunity presents itself, it might be worth giving it a try while keeping a lookout for the permanent job you really want to manage your job expectations.
Connect with one of our specialised contracting recruiters today.