Temporary employment is something that too many candidates frown upon when looking for new career opportunities.
However, more often than not, those temporary gigs can work as an excellent launchpad into a permanent position at your dream company or a perfect opportunity to expand professional skills in different fields.
For instance, back in 2020, 10.7 percent of all employees working in the European Union were temporary employees. While the number of temporary workers varies each year, they take a significant part in today’s labor market.
Therefore, in this article, we’ll share some of the most common benefits of temporary employment, and some of the things to consider before diving right into it.
Opportunity to test oneself in different workplaces
Sometimes going for a big career change may seem intimidating. Questions like ‘Am I qualified enough for this new position?’, ‘Will it support me financially?’ may pop into your mind, and not without reason.
The best way to make the right decision is to test this new career opportunity temporarily.
For instance, if you want to get into financial consulting, opt for a temporary part-time position, and see how you’ll do, and if it’s something you’d like to go for full-time.
Acquiring new professional skills
Choosing a temporary job opportunity is also a great way to acquire new professional skills rather quickly.
It will work wonders for those who have expertise in one career field and would like to add up new skills to strengthen themselves as professionals.
For instance, an accountant may go for a temporary job opportunity at a company that works with the latest accounting software to learn how to master it.
Extra income
One of the most common reasons to opt for a temporary gig is to get extra income to your bank account.
In this case, both qualified and unqualified job opportunities could do. Choosing a side job after your regular working hours is a fast way to bring you closer to any financial goal you may have.
Improving interpersonal skills and increasing your confidence
Aside from enhancing your professional life, temporary jobs can benefit your personal life, as well.
Going for a temporary position is a sure way to meet different people and test your communication skills. Moreover, opting for an unfamiliar and new career is a great way to increase your self-esteem.
What to keep in mind when opting for a temporary job
To make temporary employment work for you, you may want to consider the following tips:
- Make sure a temporary job won’t affect your full-time career. If you are someone who’d like to keep their 9-5 job, it’s key to manage your side job well. Meaning, you should ensure that your schedules don’t interfere in any way.
- Take your temporary gig seriously. One of the biggest mistakes many temporary employees make is considering their temporary job as something less important than their regular job. What you should do instead is taking this opportunity seriously. You never when it could turn out into something bigger.
- Don’t overstress yourself. If your 9-5 takes most of your energy, opting for a temporary job may not be the best idea for you. It is key to adequately evaluate your physical and mental health and decide on whether it’s worth going for a temporary job or not.
Bottom line
Altogether working temporarily has a variety of advantages that can benefit both your professional and personal life.
To do it right, make sure you evaluate where you stand in terms of professional and personal life and decide on whether it’s worth going for a temporary position now or not.
Whatever you’ll choose, even a couple of weeks of the temporary gig can work as an excellent launchpad to that new life you’d like to create for yourself.