I am in a temporary one-year position (not in the tech field) hired directly by the company so no recruiter involved. At three months in I asked about how I could transition to full time (my manager previously mentioned he was pleased with my performance and was impressed how quickly I was able to ramp up). The response I received from my manager was that I would have to wait until closer to the end of my one-year contract when a “headcount” would be completed. My manager also asked if I was looking for another position (I said No) and to inform him if and when I do.

I took that as a sign that I should start looking, but I’m now wondering how I should communicate my reason for looking for a new position during interviews with a potential employer. What would be the professional manner of answering such a question?

  • MajorHavoc@programming.dev
    21·
    18 hours ago

    As a hiring manager, I hear “my position is a one year contract” fairly regularly. It tells me a couple things:

      1. This person is talent I wouldn’t have access to if not for the expiring contract.
      1. There’s a solid chance that the current employer gets off their ass and makes a permanent offer when they realize I’ve made an offer.

    Honestly, neither is a negative, to me.

    • Regarding 1, I do like when I get a shot at talent that wouldn’t normally be on the market. I have a track record of successfully recruiting and retaining those folks.
    • Regarding 2, Knowing there’s a chance their current employer will counter-offer is pretty normal for the talent I hire. I already account for that when making my job offers.

    So overall, as others have said, I would just tell the truth about this. Everyone has a right to look out for their job security.

    • TonyOstrich@lemmy.world
      2·
      15 hours ago

      Depending on your PoV number two sounds like a win-win. You either get an employee you want, or you at least know that you were able to help someone obtain an actual job/offer. That’s pretty cool actually.