You're faced with job offers in Strategy. How do you choose between temporary and permanent options?

Seems like a useless topic for an article. It’s aimed at people with job offers in the field of Strategy and tries to offer advice on… a strategy for which job to take? If you can’t figure that out without an article, a Strategy job probably isn’t for you. :-)

Life goal planning should help resolve this I am taking this from podcast from Cal Newport. Journal a life goal. What would you want your life to look like. This is holistic view, where would I like to stay, what value would I like bring etc. Based on your life goal you can choose between the two options

Take a step back to reassess your options, vision, and goals. Once you've made your decision, adapt your approach to the demands of the situation, whether the solution is temporary or permanent. BTW: Nothing is permanent

Deciding between a temporary or permanent job is personal. Start with a self-assessment: What are my long-term career goals? How do I handle financial uncertainty? What job fits my desired lifestyle? Do I have specific needs to accommodate? To help with the discussion, the article “Temporary vs Permanent Work, Which is Right for You?” (seven-resourcing.com) lists benefits of each model. Temporary: flexibility; ability to travel; temp turning into perm Permanent: Job security; career progression; training opportunities The article concludes that if you love flexibility, choose temporary. For job security and career growth, choose permanent.

To address this topic, I will refer to a McKinsey article “Freelance, side hustles, and gigs: Many more Americans have become independent workers” According to the article, a full-time job with one employer has been considered the norm for decades, but this model fails to describe how a significant share of the workforce makes a living. The employment landscape has evolved, with traditional permanent work increasingly replaced by temporary contracts, freelance work, and entrepreneurial ventures. Two key trends are the rise of the “gig economy”, driven by digital platforms like Uber and Airbnb, and the growth of entrepreneurship and/or online ventures. However, these changes bring challenges such as job security and income stability.

Start by analyzing the type of work involved in each proposal: Permanent roles may offer a deeper involvement in strategic planning, execution, and long-term projects. Temporary roles often focus on specific tasks or short-term projects, which could be beneficial if you prefer dynamic and fast-paced environments that require quick decision-making and problem-solving.

Next, consider the nature of the work. Temporary positions might offer us exciting, fast-paced projects, often requiring us to hit the ground running. Permanent roles, on the other hand, might provide more structured responsibilities with long-term projects. It's like choosing between a thrilling roller coaster and a smooth train ride. 👉 Project Variety: Temporary jobs often bring diverse, short-term projects that can keep things interesting. 👉 Stability: Permanent positions may offer the consistency of long-term projects with clear goals and timelines. Reflect on which work environment energizes and motivates us, as this will impact our job satisfaction. Thanks for your time, Mannu Yadav

I operate as a Fractional or Part-Time Sales Executive. I have chosen to move beyond W2/Full-time for many reasons applicable to this scenario. First, the company may not know if a permanent position is necessary. Temp work can be a trial, mutually. "Grow where you are planted". Once in a company in any status, good work is noticed. Companies will create opportunities for great people. Next: I take roles for expand or deepen my experience and knowledge, I look at this as "Learning" vs. only "Earning".

It’s important to consider here your own personal and professional needs for flexibility. Temporary roles generally offer more flexibility in terms of work hours and location, which can be ideal if you have other commitments or prefer a better work-life balance. Permanent roles may provide more predictable schedules and benefits, which are important if you prioritize security and structured work environments.

Flexibility is crucial when considering job offers. As mentioned in the article I cited earlier, temporary or independent work spans all ages, education levels, and incomes. Main reasons for choosing independent work include supporting family needs, autonomy, enjoyment, and additional income. Temporary work, like delivering food, has low entry barriers, aiding younger and lower-income workers. High earners, such as lawyers, accountants, actors, writers, influencers, and traveling nurses, also seek independent work for its autonomy and flexibility. Understanding your flexibility needs helps in making informed career decisions.

Flexibility is a significant factor in this decision. Temporary roles often come with more flexibility, allowing us to take breaks between assignments or explore different industries. Permanent positions may offer less flexibility but provide a more predictable schedule. It's like choosing between a flexible yoga class and a regimented boot camp. 👉 Work-Life Balance: Temporary roles might better suit those needing time for personal projects or family commitments. 👉 Predictability: Permanent roles offer a steady routine, which can be comforting for planning long-term personal and professional activities. Consider our current life situation and how much flexibility we need to balance work and personal commitments. Thanks, Mannu Yadav

Evaluate Your Financial Situation: Consider how much you rely on benefits such as health insurance and paid leave. If these are crucial for you, a permanent position might be more suitable. Consider Career Goals: Think about your long-term career aspirations. If gaining diverse experiences quickly is a priority, temporary roles might offer the variety you need. Conversely, if you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, a permanent role could provide the structure and opportunities for advancement. In the end, the choice between flexibility and stability comes down to your personal circumstances and career goals. By carefully weighing these factors

Skill vs. experience is a determining factors as well. The company may need and value experience more than simply a delivered skill, which can be a short-term need depending on the maturity of the business. These are the consideration the company should listen for; not a candidate's "Needs" for time off. Keep it to yourself if it doesn't to bring business value. I promise, it will cost you opportunities and you will be paid less than your value.

There is opportunity to merge the two types of approaches and access the best of both, for all parties. By operating as a consultant for most of my career, I've been involved in several multi-year strategic engagements that bring continuous impact to the organisation (and significant personal experience), over a long period of time. On the other hand, I've also been part of short, sharp engagements that deliver quickly, which have (on occasion) been even more beneficial (and personally satisfying) from an immeadiate impact and personal growth perspective. It all comes down to what drives the individual, structure and stability or fast-pace, high-impact? If it's a combination of both, consultancy can bring progression and growth!

Temporary jobs offer economic benefits to start-ups, growing companies, and the workforce. While permanent positions provide structured opportunities and skill development, temporary roles expose you to new industries, skills, and expand your network faster. In today’s economy, if you prefer flexibility and can succeed in independent work, you can achieve significant professional and financial growth.

Both temporary & permanent roles can contribute to our professional growth, but in different ways. Temporary jobs might expose us to a variety of projects and industries, enhancing our adaptability and broadening our skill set. Permanent positions, however, often offer more structured career development opportunities, such as training programs & promotions. It's like deciding between a buffet of experiences and a focused culinary journey 👉 Skill Development: Temporary roles can help us develop a broad skill set across different contexts 👉 Structured Growth: Permanent positions often come with clear paths for advancement and professional development programs Evaluate which path will best enhance our professional development Mannu Yadav

Temporary roles allow you to take chances, explore new fields and meet new challenges. You are also able to try new ideas and test them for a short period of time. Some times the role/career/company you think you want is not exactly a fit. Short term roles let you explore that safely. Long term roles will allow you to put your experience to the test and look for opportunities to test your strategic planning and think longer term. Each one has its benefits. Be open minded to both and I recommend you try both.

Everytime you take a decision about a job opportunity you should value how it can add value to your career. Permanent or temporary can have the same value… depending what is the goals and nature of the work. The bias to permanent jobs is often a wrong decision since you will be stuck with a more business as usual role, and less strategic focus…

Financial stability is crucial in making this decision. Temporary jobs might offer higher pay rates but come with periods of unemployment between contracts. Permanent roles typically provide steady income and benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. It's like choosing between feast or famine and a steady stream of comfort food. 👉 Income Consistency: Permanent roles usually offer a reliable paycheck and benefits. 👉 Higher Pay Rates: Temporary positions may pay more per hour or project but can be less predictable. Assess our financial needs and risk tolerance to determine which option provides the stability we require. Thanks for your time, Mannu Yadav

Historically, permanent jobs have offered more financial stability and benefits, but the modern job market has changed. The current economy offers numerous opportunities, and many professionals have pursued independent careers with temporary contracts and achieved significant financial success. Examples include lawyers, accountants, successful actors, writers, other creatives, and influencers. It’s important to evaluate your motivations and consider taking greater risks for the potential of broad professional fulfillment.

In Japan, it is next to impossible to fire a full-time employee, let alone one with 12 years of experience in the company. When I was asked to voluntarily "retire" from the company, I was in a position to ask them to pay me two years' worth of salary with social insurance benefits. They did. Had I been a contract employee, I would have had none of that security. I took the money, bought a house, set up my own company and became a subcontractor to the people I worked with. I have been working with some Clients for 20 years now, and I have none of the office hassle I dealt with before.

In general, I have seen a move towards "Comfort" over personal growth. This is to the detriment to the company and the candidate. At times, the climb to a new level will come via a temporary opportunity. Learning over earning. Discomfort and friction are necessary states at "WORK"!! If you want personal comfort, then go home and lay in bed all day. Finally: There is NO SECURITY in any company. Treat every job with any status as temporary and mutually disposal. Be loyal to yourself and honest with yourself, invest in yourself.

Permanent positions usually provide a more comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contribution, and paid time off. Temporary roles may have higher hourly or daily rate but fewer long-term benefits.

The culture of a workplace significantly impacts your job satisfaction and productivity. It’s important to note that in large organizations, different areas may have distinct professional environments (cultures). Experiencing various settings, whether within the same organization or through temporary work, can help you understand which path optimizes the important variables for you. Reflect on the type of work environment that suits you best and the importance of cultural fit to your overall well-being at work. Understanding this can lead to a more fulfilling and productive career.

A permanent position often provides stability, benefits, and the opportunity to grow within a company, allowing you to build deep expertise in a particular area. If you're looking to establish a solid foundation and advance within an organization, a permanent role might be more aligned with your ambitions. On the other hand, a temporary strategy role can offer flexibility and the chance to work on diverse projects across various industries. This can be appealing if you enjoy tackling new challenges, expanding your skill set, and exploring different business environments. Temporary roles often provide a faster pace and the opportunity to quickly make an impact, which can be beneficial for professionals seeking rapid growth or transitioning

Culture fit is very important for me as an individual. Everybody is different and have different beliefs. it’s about acceptance of those differences that make the organisation and team grow stronger if allowed. For example some people learn from practice others from text books. Some are extroverts and others are introverts. Forcing people to behave in a certain robotic way does not work and you need to respect these differences.

Strategy people tend to have similar traits but can have very different personalities - and consulting firms have different cultures. MBBB is up-or-out whereas the Big 4 is not as aggressive. Unfortunately, strategy work is often looked at as transient and/or a luxury and thus any role is generally not going to be permanent.

A "melhor" opção depende do que você valoriza mais no momento. Se a segurança, a possibilidade de crescer dentro de uma empresa e o desejo de se aprofundar em uma cultura organizacional específica são importantes para você, uma função permanente pode ser a melhor escolha. No entanto, se você prefere flexibilidade, diversidade de experiências e quer explorar diferentes culturas organizacionais antes de se comprometer a longo prazo, uma função temporária pode ser mais atraente. O ideal é entender o que melhor se encaixa nos seus objetivos e prioridades pessoais e profissionais atuais. Ninguém pode escolher por você. Lembre-se, a carreira é sua e a jornada é pessoal.