Low Ball Contract Opportunities
The low ball contract opportunity is en vogue once again (did it ever go out of style?). I had some TikTok fun on the topic.
Short term, low rate, what is to gain from the opportunity? What is to lose?
It’s a rich topic and very individual, so it’s best to focus on your needs, not what someone else did. Here are some considerations:
Bottom line: What is my current financial state?
Opportunity cost: Can I afford to wait for a better job to come along?
Learning Cost: What can I learn from this job that serves my growth goals and/or personal vision that I can’t do on my own right now?
Time Cost: Does the amount of interview activity match the length of the contract? Example: a three month contract with more than an hour of interview time (and maybe even a Snickerdoodle baking contest to weed out the weak) is excessive in my opinion, but what if you really need the work?
Sometimes, a carrot is waved in front of the candidate that there is a potential for extension, but it is only that. It’s important to look at the 3-month contract with possible extension as only a 3-month contract. Do not project your eternally hopeful mindset onto this work.
The Intentional Job Search free tool and online class focuses on your growth, well-being, and creativity while you search for work. Just because your income stopped or slowed down, does not mean your growth has to stop. In fact, when you practice the standard work of the intentional job search, you can change more than your search; you can change your life to be more intentional.
Good luck.