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Q: I am a HR Professional whose job was made redundant in February this year. I have always been in permanent roles and have never had a gap in my resume. Although not actively looking for it, I have been offered a project based contracting position within a large organisation. The opportunity looks great but I have concerns about what benefits this will bring to my CV.
A: Welcome to the wonderful world of contracting...It is not all doom and gloom!
Organisations of all sizes right now are tapping into the contracting market to resource their HR teams with talented HR Professionals such as yourself. With an unpredictable market place and unsettled economy, it is common knowledge that companies are downsizing and rationalising their businesses across Australia. However, from an HR perspective these challenges are producing extremely attractive opportunities to HR specialists interested in diversifying their skills and engaging in the exciting world of contracting during otherwise tumultuous times.
The benefits of contracting are immense and there are significant advantages from a career, CV and personal development perspective. The employment market has matured and contracting as a career choice is viewed by contemporary HR practitioners very positively.
In the UK market and locally, I often work with HR Professionals who consciously decide to be career contractors. The benefits it offers them is vast including flexibility, the opportunity to be involved in new work from project to project, and chance to truly put their HR skills to the test.
Your CV will be enriched by the diversity you are adding through contract work. Diversity is key in the current market. A successful history in project based work demonstrates to future employers your capability to deliver on specific objectives within discreet timeframes. Often you will be given very clear quantifiable objectives that enable you to measure your success easily. This makes the presentation of your achievements on your CV and at interview all the more tangible, thereby differentiating you to others. Equally the ‘soft skills' required to complete contract roles successfully are worth highlighting. You will be able to demonstrate your capacity to ‘hit the ground running', flexibility, influencing skills and ability to affect change all within defined time frames in a relatively unfamiliar environment.
The types of projects you can be involved with on a contract basis can vary greatly to those on a permanent basis and can often be more exciting. Specialist skills in niche areas of HR are highly sought after as companies pull their permanent teams back to basics, consequently requiring the talents of specialist contractors to resource projects fundamental to the overall efficiency and health of the organisation. At present contract work is tending to centre on change management, process improvement, performance management, mergers and acquisitions and HR specialist roles. If you have the opportunity to be part of these projects, particularly in an organisation in a very different field, size, structure or approach, the learning and professional growth is invaluable to your future marketability.
Contracting is not something to be concerned about but welcomed for the unique experiences it can offer you. In this market more than ever organisations have the opportunity to strategically harness the talent of HR contractors to deliver critical projects. My advice is to be aware of all the benefits available in the contracting world, short and long term, and then whole-heartedly embrace the opportunity and go for it!
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