What do you do if you have multiple temporary and contract assignments in product management?

1 Define your goals and priorities

Before you take on any temporary or contract assignment, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you are willing to compromise. For example, are you looking for a specific type of product, industry, or problem to work on? Are you interested in learning new skills, tools, or methodologies? Are you seeking a long-term relationship with a client or employer, or are you happy to move on after a project is done? Having a clear vision of your goals and priorities will help you evaluate and negotiate your opportunities, as well as communicate your expectations and boundaries.

2 Manage your time and workload

Managing multiple temporary and contract assignments can be overwhelming, so it's important to manage your time and workload effectively. Utilize a calendar, task manager, and time tracker to plan, prioritize, and track your activities and deadlines across various projects and clients. Additionally, set realistic and clear expectations with your clients and stakeholders regarding your availability, deliverables, and feedback cycles. To avoid overcommitting or underdelivering, learn to say no or delegate when necessary. Lastly, take regular breaks, rest, and prioritize self-care to prevent burnout and fatigue.

3 Build your skills and portfolio

Working on multiple temporary and contract assignments can be a great way to build your skills and portfolio in a diverse and dynamic way. You can gain exposure to different products, markets, customers, and challenges, and learn from different teams, cultures, and processes. To maximize this opportunity, it's important to seek feedback and learning opportunities from your clients, peers, mentors, and coaches. Request constructive criticism, praise, and recommendations. Additionally, document your work and results by creating case studies, testimonials, and metrics that demonstrate your value as a product manager. Finally, make sure to update your resume, portfolio, and online profiles regularly. Highlight your achievements, skills, and learnings from each assignment.

4 Showcase your value and impact

Working on multiple temporary and contract assignments can be an effective way to showcase your value and impact as a product manager to potential employers and clients. It can demonstrate your adaptability, versatility, and creativity, as well as your ability to deliver results in different contexts and constraints. To do this successfully, you should build your personal brand and reputation by creating and sharing content that reflects your expertise, insights, and opinions on product management topics. Additionally, you should network and nurture relationships with your clients, colleagues, and contacts from each assignment. Furthermore, you should identify and pursue opportunities that match your goals and skills by researching the needs and pain points of your target clients or employers. Finally, craft and present compelling proposals that highlight your value proposition and differentiation.

5 Balance flexibility and stability

Working on multiple temporary and contract assignments can offer you flexibility and variety in your career, but it can also come with uncertainty and instability. To balance flexibility and stability, you should plan and budget your finances, track your income and expenses, and set aside money for taxes, savings, and emergencies. You should also secure and diversify your income streams by negotiating fair and clear terms and conditions for your contracts, invoices, and payments. Consider seeking long-term or recurring contracts or retainers when possible, as well as exploring passive or alternative income sources such as consulting, coaching, teaching, or writing. Lastly, invest in your health and well-being by finding a health insurance plan that suits your needs and budget. Be sure to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health, and don't hesitate to seek support from family, friends, or professionals when needed.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?