Leaving a permanent job for temp one

[Luckymum82]

Been with current organisation 20 yrs however recent events have made me realise that as long as my current manager is in post I will not progress any further. I am currently on mat leave and while I’ve been off there has been even more changes leaving me dreading going back. I applied for a job a few weeks ago and had actually forgot about it but then today received an email asking me to interview. It is 5k a year more but a longer commute each day and it’s a fixed term funded contract. Part of me wants to use it as a stepping stone to build my skill set and then move on again but another part of me is worried It doesn’t get extended and I end up unable to find another job on a similar salary when it ends.

Am I crazy to consider it?

I was offered a job a few years ago and my boss promised me all sorts to stay. I did and none of it came to fruition so I regret not leaving when I did the last time and can’t help feel if I don’t i’ll Regret this too 🙈

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

Yes, I left a graduate trainee scheme with a big 4 accountancy firm for a temporary maternity cover position in a different sector. It was the best decision I could have made. I hated the graduate job with a passion and my parents thought I was crazy. It worked out for me, the woman I was covering for came back from maternity leave and a different position was created for me. Stayed with that organisation for 3 years then got a better job at a different organisation in the same sector.
Life is too short and you spend too much time at work to be desperately unhappy all the time. I did have a mortgage but no dependents at that stage of my life though so perhaps in a better position than you to take a risk.
Go for the interview at least! Best of luck

I don't think it's crazy.
What's the alternative? Going back to a job you no longer enjoy?
Not sure how long you have left on mat leave, but if a few months, in your position I'd be looking for other jobs with the hope of starting one after finishing mat leave.

I don't think it's crazy either. It will enhance your CV & broaden your experiences for the future. That said, be prepared to answer interview questions in the future about leaving a permanent role for a temp position - not a big deal & answer honestly re broadening your experiences etc & that shouldn't be an issue. Good luck!

Thank you for your replies, my paid mat leave ends in October which was when I was planning to return but I know time will pass quickly! I think I’m probably scared of the unknown as I’ve spent so long in the same place. I will go for the interview and take it from there. x

Go for it OP :) There's nothing worse than having regrets.......

Not crazy, but build up some funds to buy you some time at the end of the FTC if it takes a while to find something else.

Is what you do very specialised or are there quite a few jobs in it?

Difficult to advise without knowing what you do

Definitely do the interview at least. Can you talk to some recruitment consultants to test what the market is like for similar roles and the type of role you'd want after that? You might be surprised by how much demand there is, or vice versa.

Yes, a few years ago I left a permanent job for a temp one because I wanted to work in higher education. Best decision that I ever made. I've moved on a few times, getting a promotion every time and now have a career that I love, It was a risk but it more than paid off

@DontPressSendTooSoon

There will always be jobs in my industry but in my case local authority (which I’d be leaving) usually pay better than private and jobs don’t come up all too often.

I will go for the interview and suss it out, nothing to lose from doing that I suppose.

I did this and also used it as a ‘stepping stone’ to new things. But I did have savings to fall back on if it all went wrong (it didn’t!). Go for the interview and suss it out. Good luck.

You could do this for the fixed term period then return to your original company on a higher grade, more money. I and several in my company have done the same. For some reason in my company of 4000 they are more likely to employ new than promote experienced existing staff. Frustrating but it's worked out for me

I did this too and it worked out really well. Left a perm job i’d had for 7 years and took a fixed term contract on less money (I know!). Within 6 months I was offered a new role with a salary increase, but more importantly I now do a job I love, with more prospects and better flexibility.

Once you take the leap, I think the fear of moving on again if it doesn’t work out doesn’t seem so scary. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for sharing your positive stories, it has helped me as well as the OP i'm sure.

OP, I left a permanent job for a fixed term, mat leave cover on the same salary. I left a job I hated (well, the manager anyway) and it was the right thing for me. My mental health improved. I feel more like me again (although I have been affected by my bad experience). I don't regret leaving. I have only just started really so can't say it all worked out for me just yet. But that's why it is nice to hear those stories. I am trying to have faith that i'll find another job before the end of this one.

Yes I have done this and it worked out well for me. Moved from a company I’d been with for 10 years, for a 2 year contract, from there to a one year mat cover, then on to my present job. My salary has leapt £20k and given me opportunities staying in my old role would never have done. I say YANBU and absolutely go for it. Good luck!

Ok - your positive vibes have worked 😊 I’ve accepted the interview which is early next week - now to find something to wear! xx