Would you leave a permanent position for a fixed term contract if it was a step up?

[onthinice]

I've seen a job I like the sound of. It fits my skills, is in the sector I am most interested in and would also give me opportunity to develop skills I'm not using in my current role. It's only fixed term for 6 months though.

I've been in my current role only a few months, while it's fine, and convenient, it's a bit dull and there doesn't seem to be any chance of progression. I'm employed on a permanent contract. Before this I worked for my previous employer for 6 years including a promotion, so I'm not worried that the short time in this role will reflect badly or put the employer off.

I'm really tempted to apply to the job I've seen advertised, but I'm not sure if I'm risking too much. It's within the same large organisation as my current role (but a totally different department and different base) so things like pension and annual leave entitlement would be the same, but I am the only earner (single parent) so I can't risk a period of time without an income after the contract would end. Obviously the hope is that either the contract is extended /made permanent (no indication that this is a possibility on the job description though) or that my experience would enable me to find something else easily, though no guarantees.

Of course I realise I may not even be offered the job if I did apply, but I don't want to waste time and effort applying if I'm unsure.

Has anyone ever left a permanent job for a temp one, if so how did it work out for you? Are there any other obvious pitfalls or advantages I've not mentioned?
Thanks.

Forgot to mention, but as the title says, the role I've seen advertised is a band above my current role (though my job before this one was a band higher still and its that level of responsibility and autonomy that I miss).

If the temp role is in the same organisation, can’t you just ask about the possibility of a 6 month transfer to the new department (ie your existing role would be kept open for you)? My old employer was a large organisation and people did things like this all the time. It was a good way of hanging on to ambitious (ie good) employees.

Absolutely not. Too big a risk. A lot of my job satisfaction comes from the security my regular paycheck gives me. I wouldn't want to risk that.

@Tuliptulip thanks. I must admit this briefly crossed my mind, but I think I'd feel really cheeky asking after such a short time in my current role. Obviously for me that would be the ideal scenario, but I'm not sure they'd agree. Possibly worth me asking HR though.

@coodawoodashooda thanks for your response. I must admit I don't really get much job satisfaction, but having the security of a permanent job is one of the positives about it.

As the single earner in the home and lone parent, never underestimate the importance of the permanent job.

Only move when that certainty is guaranteed - you have a lot to lose if it doesn't go to plan.

If you have only been there a short time, then there should be plenty of time to scope better permanent opportunities as they arise, if you like the organisation.

I have done exactly that as a single mum and I’m on a temp contract now. 1. I will work my arse off so they don’t want to let me go at the end of the contract. 2. In my area with my experience and qualifications I will never be out of a job for long. If similar is true for you, go for it!

I did a decade ago. It was definitely the right decision for me. I left a permanent position after 9 years and took a maternity contract 9-12 months. It allowed me to get new experience and broaden my cv. I ended up getting a permanent position in the new organisation which I applied for as an internal candidate on the temp role.

Best decision I ever made career wise. My career really took after that.

Graham Norton was on the radio the other day saying that his Dad absolutely hated his job. However, his Dad loved knowing that he could buy his kids an ice cream or a new pair of socks or whatever. Having recently been very skint due to a bastard xh id recommend you to give huge value to the job satisfaction you get knowing that you have a permanent post.

6 months is very short.
And you say you cant risk a time of no income.

I do take some risks in life, but I wouldnt take this one, personally.

Permanent is a mirage, you can be made redundant anytime with a shockingly low payout, if any.

That said, I would do this only for a 12 month FTC, especially right now.

What’s the reason for the FTC, is there any chance of it becoming permanent?

Well i did, a decade ago, and im still in the same organisation now even though I started as a maternity cover.
However, i hated my last job, and also we had two salaries coming in. In your position, I dont get the impression yoh hate your current role, i probably wouldnt.

I think it depends how long the contract is. If it was 18 months + I'd definitely consider it

I've gone for a short term secondment so when my new job finishes I'll go back to my previous role. Not sure if you could do that? Ask HR and your manager if they would agree it.

Also could be worth a phonecall to find out if there's a view to make it permanent or is it a mat leave cover.

I’ve done this, a few times.

But

My industry was good for there always being plenty of fixed-term contracts flying around, as well as by-the-week (and even by-the-day) freelance. So I could always pick the phone up and go, ‘Jean, I need a couple of weeks’ work, can you hook me up?’ or something to that effect.

Pics is right, ‘permanent’ is false security these days. I’ve got a lot more job security now that I work for myself.

But I do think it depends on the industry you’re in, as to how much temp or contract work there is likely to be floating around if you need something fast.

I think if it were a year I would be more inclined to go for it but six months is very short. If you are the main wage earner and must have an income you are going to spend the later part of the six months applying for a new job and what are the chances of finding a new job that will perfectly match its starting date to your finishing date? When you leave a job normally you have a greater degree of control around dates of handing in notice etc. A friend works in the type of job that comes with short term contracts like this she is very experienced and has lots of contacts but she has to have a financial cushion to cope with any gaps in contracts and has even temped in the past when there hasn’t been anything immediately available. She takes it all in her stride but it would cause me enormous worry. I would need to do it as a secondment.

Thanks everyone. A real mixed bag as I expected, of those who have done this and those that wouldn't. I know it's only me that can decide, but it's helpful to listen to other's reasoning.

There is also a temp agency within the organisation, so I think I will give both them and HR a call next week to see if a secondment could be possible, and if not what the chances are of getting enough immediate work from the temp bank at the end of the contract if required.

It's not a maternity cover. It sounds like it's a new role that they have funding for for a few months. Sometimes with these things the funding is extended or they find the money from elsewhere if they realise the business can't operate without someone in that role going forward. Obviously that's all outside of my control.

The problem is that you could start the job on Monday morning and on Monday afternoon they could tell you that's it, don't come in tomorrow it's finished

There's absolutely no security

I guess it depends on your financial situation and whether you can take that risk. I've worked for a few agencies in the past and I wouldn't trust anything they say. It can all be very underhand

If you have enough savings for you and your household to last 6-12 months without a job, I would go for it. If not, it's too big a risk to take.

I'm currently trying to switch roles, and buy a house by myself following a relationship breakdown. My mortgage will be huge following the purchase, and I'll have about £5 left over once I complete due to scraping every barrel for every penny.

Much as I am not liking my current role, which pays well, but is getting me down for other reasons, I wouldn't leave unless I was going to another permanent role, and even then it would have to be one that I really liked the look of, and felt confident of passing probation on.

I've done this twice. Both times it was a great decision. Once it led to a permanent position and the other time it did not. However both times it offered me opportunities to do something different that I really enjoyed and look great on my CV. Both offered seniority in leadership roles so a chance to develop and stretch myself.

My dh left a permanent job for a 2 years fixed term contract. He works in area of skill shortage though. At end of 2 years he was offered a permanently contract but again opted for a promotion in another 2 years fixed term job. As a single parent it is a risk too far though in my opinion. Also 6 months is not really time to make yourself indispensible You might be out of work for several months at end of 6 months. You might have to use job centre which is awful and humiliating.

I've done this twice as a single mum/sole earner. One was a maternity cover but I applied for a higher paid permanent job after 3 months due to the experience I'd gained. Another was only funded for a year, was there for 5 years. If it's more money and can open up more opportunities, it's worth seriously considering.