When it comes to modern-day employment, there are different types of employment options one can seek. Given the plethora of options, it may also be confusing sometimes. From part-time employment and full-time employment to temporary and contract gigs – there are ample work options for everyone.
This article will provide a brief overview of two different job options:
- What is a temporary job?
- What is a contract job?
It will delve into both kinds of jobs, address the differences between them, note the advantages and disadvantages of both, and more.
What Is a Temporary Job?
Let us address the first question, what is a temporary job? Simply put, a temporary job is, well, a working arrangement where a person is employed by a company for a certain period of time. The time period for a temporary contract is not pre-determined and could span from 3 months to even 12 months – but it varies depending on the company’s requirements.
When understanding what is a temporary job, you must also know how you could get hired for such roles. Generally, temporary job contracts are given to people through:
- The company itself – which hires you and forms a contract with you.
- A staffing company or agency that will help you obtain temporary jobs and pay you.
Temporary contracts are generally given by companies when they want to urgently fill in a position for a short time period. Companies can either directly hire people or approach a third-party agency that will aid them with their search.
Often, the temporary employee has to find new work once their temporary contract expires. However, there is always the opportunity to secure a full-time job offer if you do your job well.
What Is a Contract Job?
Let us now proceed to understand what is a contract job. A contract job may often be confused with a temporary one – however, a contract job is one wherein a person works for a company for a specified duration of time. In a contract job, the employee is generally on the company’s payroll as well.
Key Differences Between Temporary and Contract Jobs
While the differences between temporary and contract jobs may not seem so vast in the beginning, there are key bits that separate both of them, including:
- Temporary workers are generally paid by the staffing company (if they are not direct hires), whereas contract workers are already part of the company payroll in most cases.
- Temporary workers may often be paid on an hourly basis. Contract workers are paid pro rata.
- Temporary workers may not have any benefits or compensations, whereas contract workers generally obtain some benefits like full-time employees.
- Contract workers may have a higher degree of job security than temporary workers.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Temporary and Contract Work
The key to deciding which job route is better suited to you is understanding the potential advantages and disadvantages of both roles. Some of the advantages include:
- As a temporary worker, you have freedom and flexibility over when you want to work and even the hours you want to work.
- If you are a temporary worker, you do not have to serve a notice period if you decide to leave a particular job.
- If you have highly specific skills, you can be a temporary/contractual worker for a company and have more flexibility over your work.
- Contractual workers have more job security and at least for a certain period of time, do not have to worry about their job.
However both these options have their own drawbacks:
- Temporary workers have very little job security in terms of sick leaves, benefits, insurance, and other coverages.
- While contractual workers do get some benefits and compensation, it is not as much as full-time employees would get from the company.
Whether you are a contract or temporary worker, there is always the potential to secure a full-time job offer.
Is Temporary or Contract Work Right for You?
Having understood what is a temporary job and what is a contract job, you have to arrive at a decision – which option is better for you?
This depends on your circumstances, skills, work patterns, and professional goals. If you prefer to live life on the edge and value your freedom and flexibility, maybe temporary work is right for you. If full-time work is not an option for you, but you would want to have some degree of benefits, maybe contact work is the right solution for you.
If you are yet unsure of which route to pick, you can always approach a recruitment or staffing agency that will assess your case and provide you with guidance.
Tips for Finding Temporary or Contract Employment
Whether you want to opt for a temporary or contract job, here are some tips that will help you obtain opportunities across either sector.
- Prepare a detailed resume that showcases your skills, and qualifications and demonstrates why you would be the ideal candidate for the job.
- Search across job boards and keep listings on so that in case opportunities in either sector appear, you will have direct access to them through your messages or email.
- Hire an accredited recruitment/staffing agency as they will facilitate a smooth, hassle-free process for you.
- Research the market and understand minimum wage and salary ranges so that you have a fair ask while negotiating.
- Talk with the company to understand their expectations and whether they suit your circumstances.
Conclusion
At BGC, we have over a decade of experience providing recruitment services in the APAC region, including Singapore, where we’ve established ourselves as trusted partners for numerous renowned companies. Headquartered in Singapore, our deep-rooted expertise and strong presence in the country make us the ideal choice for businesses seeking reliable recruitment solutions.
With a proven track record of success for over a decade, BGC’s staffing solutions can guide you and help you build a strong employee base in Singapore. Get in touch with us today!
