How career coaches advise job seekers about temp jobs

When Eliana Goldstein started coaching mid-career and senior professionals navigating job transitions in 2019, she said they weren’t rushing. They were intentional, strategic, and felt like they could take risks.

“Now, we're definitely finding more people who don't as much have the luxury of time and are feeling like, you know, either they're unemployed or were recently laid off, or they're worried about the stability of their own company and really trying to future plan and figure out what's next,” she said.

Temporary and contract work, she tells them, could be a “bridge” to future opportunities.

The Federal Reserve recently released the latest edition of the Beige Book — an anecdotal report on the state of the economy. One takeaway was employers seem to be hiring more temporary workers, perhaps as a way to test the waters in these uncertain times.

Whether the uptick in temp work is temporary or here to stay, it’s really being felt by people looking for jobs. These days, Goldstein said, it feels like less of a guarantee that a contract will turn into a full-time role.

Career and leadership coach Phoebe Gavin said there are other perks job seekers can get out of these gigs, even if they’re not permanent.

“Obviously, the biggest benefit is that it brings in income. And if you are between opportunities and you either weren't awarded or are outside of your severance period, you just need to pay the bills,” she said.

Temp gigs, Gavin said, can also expand job seekers’ networks, and make them stronger candidates.

“You have recent experience where you have driven results, where your skills are still sharp,” she said. Which is especially important for candidates who have been looking for a while now.

For all the potential perks, workers still need to protect themselves in this tight labor market, said Andrew Stettner, senior director for economic security at the National Employment Law Project.

He said temp workers need written contracts and freelancers must make sure to pay the appropriate taxes.

It’s important advice, especially because he said this kind of work may become more common.

“We have seen the gamification of the economy go into further and further more sectors,” Stettner said. “And it's one that is growing.”

Not taking over the economy, he said, but still growing.

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• Overeducated and underemployed: Why a diploma no longer guarantees success