Contract Jobs - Myth Vs Reality

Though many companies have begun contractual basis hiring, there is still a lot more hype around contract jobs than there are some real facts. Many scoff at them, as sometime contract jobs are generally based on the requirement, necessity and urgency of the situation.

It's time for a reality check. Contract jobs can be an attractive option, especially if you're a working mother or a retired professional and need a regular source of income. Even if you're employed but looking to switch jobs or land a new position, contract work offers you to try out a job and keep your resume alive at the same time.

We debunk the biggest myths surrounding Contract Jobs:

Myth #1: A contract job is a low-level work

Reality: With the changing business landscape, workers' needs have also changed over the years.  Both businesses and professionals have begun realizing the importance of having greater flexibility at work, especially in jobs like accounting and finance.

Professionals are looking forward to the consulting as it offers them to secure challenging projects, diverse work culture, competitive pay scale, while still working on your own terms and conditions. At the same time, contract jobs let employers fill their positions that demand years of experience – for both immediate and long-term projects without increasing the head count.

Myth #2: Contract Jobs are short term, sporadic and low paying

Reality: The salary in contract jobs vary according to the position and skills required, as in the case of regular jobs. In fact, employers are more considerate of the consultants’ needs and offer adequate variable and fixed bonuses, benefits for family and other allowances thereby making a contract job more competitive than regular jobs.

As for the tenure of the contract jobs, they offer a flexi work arrangement allowing the consultant to work for fewer hours than a full time role; skilled professionals can work as much as they want.

Contract jobs can last from a few months to more than a year or two years. Moreover, extended assignments are even more likely in the current business environment, as more employers wait for signs of a sustained recovery before adding full-time head count.

Myth #3: One cannot show a contract job on a resume

Reality: With a high proliferation of contract jobs, interim assignments have nowadays been regarded as high-level consulting projects than so-called "contract work". Recruiters very well understand that project work offers short term but valuable experience and has the ability to add to the individual's skill set. This is also one of the reasons for more and more people, especially working mothers to consider a long period of consistent contract job than a full time position.

Myth #4: Contract jobs do not let to develop new skills  

Reality: Contract work generally includes projects and assignments that need specialization and a particular skill set. They can be highly challenging and demand to stay abreast with the industry knowledge and developments and offer complimentary training to help project consultants continually upgrade their skills and earn recognition.

Three Strategies to Succeed in a New Leadership Position

It can be very exciting to secure a promotion to a leadership or management position, especially if it has been something you have been working toward for a long time. Landing the promotion can be exciting and feel like a relief. And, once the celebrations and elation wear off, for some, the weight of the responsibility can start to sink in. In some cases, it may leave you feeling overwhelmed or uncertain of your exact next steps. If this type of leadership position is uncharted territory for you, these tips can help you navigate through the initial murkiness to help you create the right perspective to have in your new position.

Check your ego at the door. 

You may be feeling on top of the world with your new position – for good reason. Now it's time to move out of the role of proving yourself worthy and move towards focusing on how to grow into your new position. You may have been very successful as an employee; remember you are just starting out as a leader. You may have a ways to go to prove that you can be a successful leader. That will take time, and that's OK. Be patient with yourself. Show humility, be gracious and accept suggestions from your fellow leaders. You will win the respect of your team and it will be easier for them to follow your lead.

Action tip: For the first month, focus on listening and understanding your new role. You will have plenty of time to present your ideas and implement new systems. Take the time first to learn what you can about your department and team. Listen to what they need and where they are with their roles (their goals and feelings). Take the time to understand their strengths, what motivates them, even what frustrates them so you understand how you can support them. Make sure to show them you are excited to work with them. Create a plan for next steps and for improvements. If you find changes that need to be made urgently, only pick one thing to work on for the first month.

Focus on learning 

While it is important to focus on growing the business or producing results to prove your worth, don't forget about learning. To secure long-term success, you will need to learn about your new business environment. This includes the politics, the culture and the strategy of the company you work for. Every business and every department is different, so find out what makes the wheels turn. Even if you have accepted a promotion within your organization, the politics and culture as a leader can be different than they were when you were a lower-level employee. The faster you learn these aspects of the business, the more comfortable you will feel.

Action tip: For the first six weeks, schedule time each week to learn about one new aspect of your department and your team members. This could be meeting with a more experienced leader, observing employees during a meeting to understand their style or asking fellow leaders for their top five pieces of advice.

Build relationships 

No man or woman is an island. As a new leader, you will need allies who will support you and your vision for your department. You could have the best ideas in the world, but if you don't have anyone to help you implement them, they are essentially worthless. It is important to spend time to get to know your fellow leaders and your employees, as well as gain their support for your ideas and vision.

Action tip: Schedule a special meeting with your team to introduce yourself. Keep your first meeting a bit more casual, as a time to get to know them. If a special meeting isn't appropriate at your company, try the same idea at break time with your employees. To build rapport with your fellow leaders, invite them to lunch or coffee. Take time to get to know them and find out how you can support them, as well as how they can support you.