What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who is considering taking a temporary or contract job while continuing their job search? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks?

Question

Job hunting can be a challenging process, often leaving individuals wondering about their next steps. Considering temporary employment during this period is a strategy worth exploring, according to industry experts. This article examines the pros and cons of taking on short-term roles while pursuing long-term career goals, offering valuable insights to help job seekers make informed decisions.

Pat Fligge · Answer

My advice is to consider all the upsides a temporary role provides for a full-time job seeker!
First, if you're no longer working, it can feel like you have too much time on your hands. Many job seekers find it too easy to procrastinate their search activities, or just aren't as productive with all that time available. By taking a temporary or contract role, you help give yourself much-needed structure and rhythm to your days. I often find that clients are forced to be more productive and more effective with their job search time when they're scheduling it around other commitments.
Taking that contract or temporary job also gives you access to a new network of people who might be able to help connect you to your next opportunity. Even better, since it's only a temporary role, you can feel no guilt about bringing up your job search with these coworkers or professional contacts. They all know the role has an end date, and you'll be looking for your next opportunity.
Finally, taking a temporary role might allow you to learn a new skill or add a new experience to your resume, making you an even stronger candidate for your next role.
The only drawback? Sure, you might have less time for all your job search activities. But as I mentioned at the beginning, often the structure of a temporary role helps you better use your time anyway!

Ben Lamarche · Answer

Before accepting a temporary or contract role during your job search, take a moment to imagine how it will appear on your resume. Where will it fit within your career narrative? What responsibilities will be highlighted? Does it contribute meaningful value—or does it risk muddying the waters?
Thinking this way forces you to assess whether the position represents a strategic step forward, a neutral placeholder, or a potential detour that could raise questions in future interviews. It may sound harsh, but the wrong short-term role can sometimes signal a lack of direction or dilute your professional brand, even if you took it for practical reasons during a challenging time.
In the past, you could quietly omit an irrelevant or low-skill job from your resume. That's no longer realistic. Between background checks, online footprints, and digital applications that track employment history, employers are conducting deeper evaluations than ever before. Transparency is increasingly expected—and attempting to hide a job often raises more red flags than including it.
So the goal isn't to avoid temporary work altogether. It's to be intentional about the roles you take on. Ask yourself: Can I frame this job in a way that reinforces my skills, demonstrates adaptability, or reflects a personal value—like resilience, responsibility, or work ethic? If so, it may be a solid move. If not, consider whether it's truly worth it.
The best temporary roles will either maintain momentum in your field or add new tools to your professional toolbox. If a job doesn't move the story of your career forward—or at least keep it from stalling—then it may be wise to keep looking.

Michael Moran · Answer

In most cases, I advise job seekers to avoid taking on contract work while actively pursuing a full-time position.
The reality is that a serious job search requires significant time and energy—often as much as a full-time job itself. When you commit to a contract role, even on a part-time basis, your focus becomes divided. This can lead to fewer tailored applications, limited networking opportunities, and reduced preparation time for interviews that matter most.
There's also a risk of becoming complacent. Contract work can provide just enough financial relief or structure to make you pause your search, without actually moving you closer to your long-term goals. In many cases, these roles lack benefits, stability, and clear advancement pathways.
If your priority is finding the right full-time opportunity, it's often more effective to remain fully focused on that process. Dedicate your time to refining your personal brand, expanding your network, and targeting roles that align with your career vision.
While contract work can have its place in certain circumstances, it's important to be intentional. If your goal is long-term growth and alignment, staying focused on the bigger picture is usually the better investment.

Laura Labovich · Answer

Take the temporary job! It can keep your finances afloat, your skills sharp, and your network active! In addition, it shows employers you're motivated and adaptable, and it might even lead to a full-time offer.
However, it can be time-consuming and mentally draining, which could potentially slow down your progress toward a permanent role. So, set aside time each day or week to make progress in your long-term goals, so this temporary job doesn't inadvertently become your permanent career!

Doug Crawford · Answer

If you're considering a temporary or contract job while continuing your search for a full-time position, it can be a smart move if managed well. These roles provide immediate income and keep you active in the workforce, which helps you avoid gaps in your resume. They also offer a chance to gain new skills and experience, expanding your network along the way. Even though the job may not be ideal, it can open doors to unexpected long-term opportunities. Just make sure it doesn't distract too much from your job search or derail your overall goals.
Temporary roles do have their drawbacks, especially since they often lack job security and benefits. The experience gained might not always align with your long-term career path. It can be easy to fall into a cycle of short-term work, which could delay your progress toward a permanent position. However, these jobs can still keep your skills sharp and your resume updated. The key is to manage your time well and stay focused on finding a full-time role that matches your long-term career aspirations.

Aaron Whittaker · Answer

I recommend approaching contract roles strategically by targeting positions that build directly relevant skills for your desired permanent position. When facing an extended job search, I took a three-month marketing contract that allowed me to gain experience with a specialized analytics platform highly valued in my industry. This calculated approach added a valuable credential to my resume while providing income during my search.
Contract positions offer immediate financial stability and can reduce the pressure to accept unsuitable permanent roles out of necessity. These opportunities often provide access to companies that might not otherwise consider your application, creating potential pathways to permanent positions. During my contract role, I built relationships with decision-makers who later recommended me for permanent positions both within that organization and at partner companies.
The primary drawback involves balancing contract work with continued job searching. Contract positions typically demand full engagement during working hours, significantly reducing time available for applications and interviews. Additionally, some hiring managers may question your commitment if they see you've accepted temporary work. Mitigate these challenges by maintaining a disciplined schedule for job search activities and being transparent with potential employers about your current contract arrangement and availability for interviews.

Rodrigo Viecilli · Answer

Exploring temporary or contract jobs as a "shadow career" can open doors to fields like project management or operations you might not have considered. These experiences can lead to unexpected passions, expanding your skillset and boosting your confidence. It's like getting a backstage pass to see how different roles function without fully committing to them. However, be cautious of drifting aimlessly; it's vital to maintain a clear direction in your career. Setting specific, achievable goals, such as learning a certain skill or gaining insight into an industry, ensures your temporary role aligns with your broader career ambitions. Always revisit your career plan to make sure you're not losing sight of your long-term objectives.

Should You Consider a Temporary Job While Job Hunting?

Table of Contents

Should You Consider a Temporary Job While Job Hunting?

Leverage Temporary Roles for Structure and Networking

Assess Contract Work’s Impact on Career Narrative

Stay Focused on Full-Time Job Search Goals

Balance Short-Term Benefits with Long-Term Objectives

Gain Experience While Maintaining Job Search Momentum

Target Contracts That Build Relevant Skills

Use Temporary Jobs to Explore New Career Paths

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