Weigh up whether to apply for a dream job or stay in a secure role

You’ve found your dream job, but it’s not a permanent position – recruiters advise on whether it is worth the risk to leave a secure role.

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CAREERS’ panel of expert recruiters answers a reader’s question each week. Have a question? Email [e-mail]

I have spotted my dream job but it is only a six-month contract. Should I take a chance or hold onto my secure, permanent position?

Lisa Morris

Director,

Hays

There are several factors to consider before you make this decision. Firstly, a short-term assignment offers many advantages, such as the opportunity to broaden your experience and skills. If you have been offered your dream job, a six-month contract will enable you to add relevant experience and skills to your CV, which will make you a more attractive and employable candidate for similar roles once the contract ends. A contract will also allow you to build your network and meet new professionals in your dream field, which will be invaluable when seeking future roles. Furthermore, once you are in an assignment, you’re in the best position to market yourself for similar roles elsewhere. You could also look within the organisation you would be temping with to see if there are any other areas or departments where your skills might be needed. On the other hand, temporary assignments have an end date and before you know it you’ll need to look for a new job. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may also need to weigh up any financial commitments and the impact that leaving a permanent position could have on your family. Balancing your career ambitions with your personal responsibilities is never an easy decision, so it may also help you to consult a career adviser to talk through your unique situation.

Hays director Lisa Morris. Picture: Matt Loxton

Justin Hinora

Executive consultant,

Hender Consulting

Only you can make this call. You need to consider the risks should your employment not be extended beyond six months and how easy or difficult it might be to secure another role. There are some organisations who only offer an initial six-month contract with view to extension or ongoing for any newly created role. This policy often impacts the quality of the candidate field but for those eager enough, it can be a rare foot in the door to a dream job. Have an honest conversation with the hiring manager or HR as to other possible employment options beyond the contract term.

Hender Consulting executive consultant Justin Hinora. Picture: Mike Burton

Andrew Sullivan

Managing director,

Sullivan Consulting

Although what is right for you will depend on your circumstances, there are three things I would encourage you to consider. What does “dream job” mean for you? Is this something you want to do regardless of how long it’s for, or are you really looking for your ultimate, ongoing role? Understanding this can help. Is there scope for the role to become permanent? Have that conversation with the employer and find out what the role could lead to before taking the leap. Finally, consider the broader context of where the experience you can gain from the role could take your career longer term. Sometimes a short-term role can give you the experience you need to break into a new industry or open up fresh opportunities.

Sullivan Consulting managing director Andrew Sullivan. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Alexandra Rosser

Head of Organisational

Psychology Consulting,

Stillwell Management

Consultants

The answer depends on whether you are positioned to take a calculated risk. Considerations include whether there is possibility/potential for extension of the dream job within the organisation and whether this contract would offer compelling experience to support you to move into similar roles within other organisations. You should also consider how unhappy or dissatisfied you are with your current role and whether you have the financial foundations to be able to support yourself to job hunt if there was nothing immediate available at the end of the contract. Ultimately, if you will always regret not having explored this opportunity, you should go for it provided you are (financially) able to cope with whatever is the longer-term outcome.

Stillwell Management Consultants organisational psychology consulting head Alexandra Rosser. Picture: Mike Burton

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News Corp has partnered with HR technology company Shortlyster to develop the Australian National Talent Registry, an initiative to help get Australians back to work, as COVID-19 has left hundreds of thousands of people either jobless or with reduced working hours.

The registry aims to connect jobseekers, whose employment does not have to have been directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic to participate, with employers on cultural-fit and psychological level, not just qualifications and experience.

It is free for jobseekers to sign up. To sign up, visit adelaidenow.com.au/careers

Originally published as Weigh up whether to apply for a dream job or stay in a secure role