Would I be silly to leave a secure job for fixed term work

[Thinkingaboutchangetoday]

Would I be silly to leave a permanent secure job for one that is fixed term for just under 2 years? Current job is easy, boring, getting me down because there is no possibility of development or higher grade in my field. New job would be training in a new area, sounds interesting and a bit of an uplift in pay. Could lead to higher paid jobs as it is directly transferable skills. I've always been reluctant to give up the stale but comfortable post I'm in, but I need a new challenge. Both jobs in public services.

Are you able to get a secondment? Thst way your permanent role is secure?

No, it's from one public service to another. Permanent job is near home, possible job is hybrid, but 45mins to an hour away in peak traffic. I need something different but it's hard to give up the benefits.

Do you have a mortgage, any loans or debts to pay?
Do you have a partner with a permanent job?
do you have any dependents?

I have a fixed term job where the contract is renewed about 2 months before it’s about to run out (if there’s funding available.). Usually I would get about 2 months notice as to whether money is available. It is highly highly stressful. I love my job but honestly, the instability is not worth it.

i recently found out I was pregnant and now have no guarantee of maternity cover. It’s devastating. we’re trying to buy a house at the moment and it makes it a much higher risk operation.

if you have a safety blanket, go ahead. You’ll be dependent upon them for security, so if that bothers you, don’t do it.

Are you single? Do it. Main earner with dependents? Don't. Depends on your circumstances.

Oh no, that's difficult. I'm fortunate to have a working partner and so we'd manage. I've grown out of my current job and it'd be a way to get experience in a different field. Otherwise in 5 years I'll likely be in the same job and even more bitter and twisted!

I would not unless it is civil service to civil service. You will have to start looking for a new job after the first year

That’s vital. If they’re happy to fill in gaps while you’re out of work then go for it, but you need to be really clear upfront that that is a risk, and it’ll affect your joint income.

but, we spend 75% of our waking hours working, so it may as well be something you feel fulfilled by. Good luck!!

I’d do it if you can financially. I’ve done it a couple of times in my career and it’s always worked out.

I did just this. I was with the same company for 18 years, only ever had 2 roles and barely an increase in wages. My kids were young though, so it worked although I felt absolutely stuck and became quite fed up. I went on to take a years fixed contract with a company (which I hated) but a few weeks into this new role, as I was still applying for jobs, I was offered another years fixed term contract into a more fun job which I jumped at.

During that year I did always have in the back of my mind that I had to continue looking for a full time job, so still kept applying and bagged another very stable role, not dissimilar to my original job.

Do I regret it, not really. I am in a fortunate position that my DH has just enough to cover the bills, although we are not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. Had I not jumped ship, I would still be fed up in my original job, and I have learnt a lot from 2 different teams.

Downside, I miss some of my colleagues in my 18 year job, I find the older you get, the harder it is to fit in with established clicks which can be a bummer, and honestly I don’t have what I’d call real friends at my current role.

What I have learnt is that I have skills to move around different jobs and that the world won’t end if I change jobs (which I think I was scared of, being raised to think a stable job was everything).

Only you will know what’s right for you. Good luck.

In this economy and job market, yes.