Before you turn your nose up at that temp job...

Sometimes people think of temporary jobs as having limited value.  Well, before you politely decline to discuss the contract job that the recruiter has called you twice about, consider this.  A temporary or contract position is just as much an interview and screening for you as it is for the employer.  Things often look better during the recruitment phase of the process.  This gives you a chance to see if you will be able to deal with the micromanaging boss or the constantly complaining coworker or even if the selections in the cafeteria support your vegan lifestyle. 

More than that however, as companies look to better manage their human capital, you may find short-term opportunities showing up more frequently.  Carefully consider the project or task that is to be accomplished and how it may increase your industry visibility or give you local credibility.  An assignment like this should do it's part to grow your knowledge and stretch your abilities as well as put money in your pocket. 

Another consideration is reputation of the organization.  An organization that is well-respected in the community on your resume is almost like a Las Vegas billboard, it makes you look.  And that's exactly what you want hiring leaders to do. 

So, even though it is not permanent (by the way, no jobs are ever "permanent"), consider all the benefits before you say no.

Until next time...

Career Management v. Job Management. Which are you doing?

This morning during my 5am walk, I had a discussion with a neighbor about career management.  It really got me thinking about my own career and the question came to me, "Have I been managing my career or my jobs"?  I think I can honestly say, I've been doing both, but at different times.  Early in my career, I was managing my career, unbeknownst to me.  I was constantly seeking new challenges, which led me to an average tenure of about 18 months.  Then something changed.  I'm not sure whether I got older, more stuck in my ways or just longed for greater job stability.  When that happened, I stopped managing my career and started managing jobs.  For me, that was a mistake. 

When you manage your career, your focus remains on the work you do, the results you produce and leveraging those to meet the next challenge.  At some companies, this may mean asking for permission to post when you haven't met the required time in job.  It may also mean being open to short-term, temporary assignments.  Depending on your lifestyle at the time, this might include relocating.  It could also mean changing companies.

Conversely, when managing your jobs, your focus is on the next position more so than the work.   The downside to that is you become dependent on a company to produce the "right job" and the company's timing may not directly align with yours. 

So, as you go throughout your day, ask yourself, "Am I managing my career or my jobs"?  I'll bet it might even help you prioritize your tasks, but I'll save that for another post.

Until next time...