Is contracting your next step forward?
Natalie Rogers
Contract + Permanent Recruitment Specialist - FMCG + Consumer Goods Marketing
It’s safe to say that 2020 hasn’t panned out the way we were all expecting, affecting all of us in one way or another whether it was being made redundant, a holiday being cancelled, or your work reducing your hours, there’s changes continuing to happen every day.
From the world of recruitment, the tides are changing quickly – and while we’ve seen some new permanent roles being put on hold – there are still solutions to get your through the interim.
Searching for a new job can be an exceptionally stressful time for anyone. Especially with an uncertain market and less work available, it might be the time to prepare yourself to be job ready or consider taking on contract work. Contract work can get you back into the job market faster and can often lead to a permanent position.
Getting yourself job-ready
Update your LinkedIn profile and resume
If you need to get back into the job market quickly, you want to make sure you’re prepared. Many job seekers we work with know that their LinkedIn needs an upgrade but rarely have the time to do it. Read our recommendations on how to optimise your LinkedIn and how to write a resume.
Reach out to your network
Connect in with past colleagues or managers to let them know of your circumstance and that you are open to hearing about contract or permanent opportunities. You never know who needs someone straight away for an ad-hoc project and what long-term opportunities might be associated with it.
Be open-minded
We are seeing more and more job seekers become more flexible in their job search. Considering new roles and industries, taking a side-step or looking for contract work might be a little different to what you’re used to but being agile with your job search criteria can make you a more desirable candidate and open up more doors in the current environment. With uncertainty in the market, we have unfortunately seen a decrease in new permanent roles, though the market is starting to shift, with many companies changing opportunities into contract and temporary roles.
Contracting
Although contract roles may not be the path you were ideally looking at, it can be a great way to continue to build your network, give you exposure to a new style of business and demonstrate to future employers transferable skills and adaptability to hit the ground running. We often see candidates who initially step into businesses for contract roles go on to secure a permanent role or move to a senior role internally.
Head of Marketing & Innovation/ Strategic + Creative/ Bold brand builder/ Omni-channel raving fan/ Leadership + culture lover
4 年Great ideas Nat, I did a short term contract in a completely different industry whilst on Mat leave and loved gaining insight into a new world. The need to hit the ground running is paramount in a contract role, a different mindset which I loved. Thanks for sharing ????
Senior Account Director @ Sunday Gravy
4 年I'm really thankful for my time employed during contract roles. They have allowed me to be exposed to lots of different ways of working and really flex and train my ability to adapt. I'd highly recommend a contract position to anyone who hasn't considered it before as the personal growth will astound you along with the very real opportunity for contract extension or a permanent role down the track. :)
Brand & Content Marketing | Loyalty & Retention | Problem Solver | Coffee Lover | Postgraduate in Project Management
4 年It may not be new news but definitely a timely reminder to us job seekers to keep an open mind in this new Covid-19 world. Thanks Natalie Rogers