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Temporary ‘connections’ aid career growth
Like any other working individual, Mr. Jatin Parikh wants to advance his career and move up the ladder. The difference however is that he picks a novel way to go about it! Mr. Parikh, a networking engineer, shrewdly participates in a new database management project as a temporary team member. The assignment is beyond his current responsibilities and presents a valuable opportunity to learn new skills.
By leveraging a series of such ‘temporary jobs’, soon he earns a seat at a higher table.
Temporary assignments are opening a new and wide vista for everything from breaking into a new field to advancing in the same one. The stigma long attached to this option has been wiped clean, as no longer is it just the last resort for struggling novices.
Provisional employment has moved from back-end administrative and clerical jobs to encompass HR, IT and even management in varied fields like retail, banking, advertising and programming.
A growing number of professionals at different levels of their careers are going the ‘temping’ route to move ahead in their professions. This new approach is not only an ideal way to step up in the career but also works as a comprehensive career strategy.
Here’s how:
• Gaining experience in a new career through a temporary stint is a viable option to achieve a successful career change. Mid-level professionals can explore other specialities, industries or companies and sample the options without the allied threat of job hopping
• They can try a job for size while checking out the responsibilities and challenges involved or use it as a stopgap arrangement for earning a living even as they look for better full-time employment
• This eye-opening insight into new areas helps them develop new skills, hone existing ones, even while unearthing hidden talent
• The diversified experience coupled with the challenge of new situations lends a broad perspective that can brighten up the most insipid resume
• Also, temporary jobs help people get a foot in the door of top organisations where they want to work. ‘Temp-to-hire’ is increasingly becoming quite a common phenomenon as more companies are offering excellent full-time positions to their ‘contract’ staff
People can now opt for ‘serial temping’ even after gaining two-three years experience or more in a particular career. A succession of temporary jobs will prove valuable in future career moves and can help them achieve their new career goals.
Captaining your ‘temp’ ship
Whether you are looking to rediscover career choices, gain hands-on experience or just test the job waters, there is no dearth of choices. The range of contract jobs available is near unlimited.
As a job seeker, you can subtly propose during a job interview to take the position on a trial basis by insinuating that the management can evaluate your suitability for permanent employment! Or, you can enrol with a good temporary staffing agency based on your specialised needs.
You can join a new task force or chip in when the management is reviving an old division or expanding in your own organisation.
Carefully select contract assignments that will complement your future career direction and also look good on the resume.
Look for project work outside your department or job description where you can contribute your functional expertise whilst developing new skills and experience.
Whichever temporary work you choose, perform to your highest abilities to so that you add value to the job. Also, concentrate on observing everything carefully to learn the work style and soak up the professional environment.
Prepare yourself for the trade-offs of temporary jobs before opting for one.
You will have to compromise on things like higher salary, bonus, raise, benefits, paid leave and insurance, generally associated with permanent employment.
Though more people are turning to contract employment as a career and lifestyle choice, do not be blindly swayed by the allure of flexibility alone.
Can you really function well in a work environment that is neither stable nor structured?
Only if you can endure the volatile challenges on the road to gaining new skills, experiences, career insights and contacts, will serial temping prove to be a good occupational fit!
Payal Chanania
faqs@cnkonline.com
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