Contracts or temp assignments can lead to permanent work

Starting work at a new company is a bit like moving into a new houseyou won’t really know what it’s like until you are in it!

We often take a job based on what we learned about the company during the interview process, but too often it turns out to be quite different once we actually work there and we are disappointed.

The solution? Temporary or contract work.

There are two ways to approach this. You can either register with a temporary help agency (and there are now agencies that cater to people at all levels including management), and start taking short-term assignments in various companies. If you are a good, conscientious worker and a faster learner you will undoubtedly receive offers of permanent employment. I know this to be true from my own experience many years ago in the corporate world.

The advantage to you is that you will have some idea of what kind of workplace it offers, the people you would be working with and whether you like the work itself. Knowing all this before you start puts you at a great advantage.

The other way comes into play when you have applied for a specific job. Let’s say you like the sound of it, and that you are offered the job. Instead of accepting the offer immediately, suggest that the company hire you on a contract or temporary basis for, say, a month or perhaps three or six months, depending on the type of work and the level of the position.

The understanding is that at the end of that time you and your employer can both decide if it is a fit. If so, you can then accept the permanent offer. If not, you can part ways without prolonging the agony.

Companies have long used temporary workers to fill short-term needs, but employees can just as easily use them to check out potential employers before making a commitment.