Suggesting contract work to many unemployed individuals brings horrified looks. “But that would interfere with my unemployment benefits! And I wouldn’t have time to look for a job. It would destroy my credibility as a full time employee.” I’ve heard all the excuses and I understand the dilemma; however, finding work, especially when you are over 50, can be more than challenging.
A big reason employers shed a far-less-than-expected 11,000 jobs last month is that temporary staffing agencies found slots for 52,000 additional workers, the most since 2004, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said
According to a Wall Street Journal article recently, “The number of unemployed workers ages 55 to 64 has nearly tripled since the recession began, to about 1.6 million of the nation’s 15.4 million unemployed as of November, according to the Labor Department. By comparison, the number of jobless workers of all ages has roughly doubled.” Statistics demonstrate the difficulty for this group.
If you are unemployed, how long are you willing to try to live on the unemployment benefits and savings? Wouldn’t it be better to consider contracting? You’d be with employed people with a chance to prove your worth and discover whether the company culture fits you. Managers’ fear of making hiring mistakes, plus the reality of shorter term ramps on product launch provide diverse opportunities for contractors.
The job search cycle starts with the unemployed individual stating, “I want to stay in this area.” Three to six months later, that person thinks about relocation, but home sales are problematic. Joe Job-Seeker may lose his shirt while selling his home to move to another location. Better that he thinks about a contract position before uprooting the family.
Contract firms appreciate workers with strong business ethics. The Boomer crowd has a reputation for diligence and meeting deadlines.
Benefits don’t have to be an issue. When you work for a contract agency, they often offer benefits, which are not as costly as COBRA, yet not as robust as Fortune 500 companies provide.
The search string “contractor growth” appears almost 9 Million times in a google search today. Try a google search to see what agencies may have opportunities for you. I’m convinced contracting is more plentiful than full time work in this market. And it can lead to full time work.