“Temporary staffing is the bee’s knees these days.”

~Kerry Hannon, Forbes.com

Contract work doesn’t tend to land high on the list of dream opportunities for jobseekers. When I was first asked about my openness to the idea, my response was something along the lines of, “I’d be willing to accept a contract position if it was the only option, but I’d rather not.” I didn’t particularly enjoy being unemployed, and to me, contract work meant the risk of being dropped back into the jobseeker pool after only a few months of respite. It’s easier to let a contractor go than a full-time employee, I reasoned. And what about the lack of benefits? It felt like a step down.

 I was wrong. 

 

 Here’s why:

• 88% of staffing employees say that contract work made them more employable
• 77% of staffing employees say it's a good way to obtain a permanent job
• 80% of staffing clients say staffing firms offer a good way to find people who can become permanent employees (American Staffing Association)

When you’re new to the workforce, trying to break into a new industry, or curious about a new career field, the first step is the hardest one. It often feels like everyone demands experience that you don’t have. How do you get your foot in the door and the platform to prove that you have what it takes? One answer to that question is contract work. After years of placing great people into contract positions, we’ve seen over and over again that great companies don’t let great employees walk out the door. At times, they’ll even invent positions to retain contract employees they’ve seen in action. Meanwhile, you have the opportunity to evaluate a company from the inside. Is the industry and corporate culture something that truly interests you? Contract work is the best way to find out!

Even with positions that aren’t explicitly contract-to-hire, the experience you gain in a temporary position will ease your transition into full-time work, whether it be with your contracting company or another that is impressed by your experience. Not only this, but you’ve eradicated a potential gap in your resume, made some money, and added to your network.

If you find yourself in the market for a new opportunity, now might be a good time to give contract work a try. In many ways, it’s a bridge between where you are now and the full-time position you’re hoping for. Here at AimHire, we place a lot of people into contract or contract-to-hire roles with some of the best companies in Denver. Take a look at our current open positions to get an idea of what’s out there, and apply for one that seems to be a good fit for you!