There's a lot of evidence to suggest that full-time, "permanent" employment with a single employer is no longer going to be an option for growing numbers of job seekers. Many companies are turning to subcontracting and freelance work to meet their hiring needs. They are looking for flexible ways to get work done without adding to their overheard by hiring workers to whom they may eventually need to pay unemployment. So what's a job seeker to do in such an environment?
A "portfolio" career may be the best strategy for career management in the new economy. According to Randall Hansen of QuintCareers, a portfolio career is one in which "you work multiple part-time jobs (including part-time employment, temporary jobs, freelancing, and self-employment) with different employers that when combined are the equivalent of a full-time position. Portfolio careers offer more flexibility, variety, and freedom, but also require organizational skills as well as risk tolerance."
Obviously the biggest drawback for many people may be the challenge of obtaining healthcare insurance. However, for job seekers who still have coverage through a spouse, a portfolio career can work. They can also use COBRA to have relatively low payments that can be partially subsidized by the federal government. And for the self-employed, healthcare premiums are tax-deductible.
Here are some portfolio career resources for further exploration:
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