Permanent Positions

Few things in our lives upset the apple cart as much as an unexpected job change. I've had the experience of going into work in the morning and walking out with my things in a box before lunch. It's not fun. If you're currently on furlough from the government you know the bills don't stop. Most people don't like change so we all seek stability in our lives. Which from a career perspective means a permanent position to many people.

But what is a permanent position? Most people would define it as a job where an employer hires you directly to their payroll. In my business that's called a "direct hire" which is far from a permanent position. My father got his MBA from the University of Iowa and started working for the state of Iowa in 1962. He retired in 1997 and still spends several hours a week consulting to the state writing grants. That's a permanent job. Unfortunately in today's marketplace its unheard of that someone works at the same company for 40+ years, even if it's the government.

We all know someone that took a job directly with an employer and was looking again within months - some within days or weeks. Conversely, I know people who have been with their employer for over a decade after getting their start as a temporary resource (aka contractor). Whether it's direct to the employer payroll through internal or agency recruiters, or working as a contractor, the mechanism employers use to fill positions in their organization is not always related to the long-term viability of the position.

Permanent positions are a myth in today's market. In the 1960's when our parents went to work, career stability came from their employer and it's pension program. Today career stability comes from your ability to port your talents, ability, and background from one employer to the next. In that sense a consulting career is a great training ground to go in, get the job done, and move on.

I'm not saying ditch all direct to employer opportunities and become a contractor. If you haven't already, start developing relationships with several recruiters that work in your "space" and listen to what they have to offer from time to time. Not considering contract / contract to hire work means you miss out on pportunities that can build your abilities and increase your future marketability.

The question you ask yourself when a recruiter calls should not be "is this a permanent position?" The question you need to ask is "will this help me grow and position me to get where I want to go?" The best way to answer that question is through the discovery process with the recruiter and their client.