Looking for a new job is exciting enough as it is. But before you even start clicking on vacancies, it pays to take a step back. There is a choice many people overlook: do you actually want to go directly into permanent employment, or might secondment be a better route? Both options have their own advantages, and which one suits you best depends entirely on who you are and where you want to go.
What is the difference between secondment and permanent employment?
In permanent employment, you are employed directly by an employer. You and that organisation are the only two parties involved. Secondment works differently: you enter into employment with a secondment agency, which then assigns you to various clients. So, you have one employer, but you work on-site at other organisations. That might sound complex, but it actually offers a lot of freedom. You quickly gain experience at a wide range of organisations while maintaining the security of a fixed contract.
The benefits of permanent employment
For many people, a permanent contract feels like the ultimate goal. And that is understandable. You know where you stand: one employer, one team, one culture. You slowly but surely build a position within the organisation and grow alongside the people around you. This provides peace of mind. The downside is that this peace can sometimes turn into routine. If you stay with one organisation, you see less of the outside world. As a result, your development may be slower than you would like, especially if there are few internal growth opportunities.
The benefits of secondment
Secondment is ideally suited for people who want to keep moving. You work on diverse assignments, get to know different organisations from the inside out, and build a broad network in a short space of time. This significantly accelerates your professional development. Take, for example, professionals working in the healthcare sector: for them, secondment offers the chance to work at multiple institutions and grow their expertise broadly. For people working in the healthcare sector who don't want to get stuck in fixed patterns, secondment is therefore a popular choice. The downside? You have less time to truly put down roots within a single organisation. And if you crave a permanent base, moving around can become tiring after a while.
How do you know what fits you?
There is no universal answer, but the following questions will help you on your way. Do you enjoy variety, or do you prefer familiar faces and fixed structures? Do you want to gain many different experiences as quickly as possible, or do you want to commit to a single mission for the long term? Are you in a phase where you are still discovering what you want, or do you already know exactly? And practically: do you need maximum predictability in your income and work environment, or can you handle change well? The more often you answer "variety" and "discovery", the more secondment will suit you. The more often you choose "structure" and "connection", the more attractive permanent employment will be.
No right or wrong
Secondment or permanent employment: it is not a choice between better or worse. It is a choice about what fits this stage of your life and career. Some people start with secondment to gain experience quickly and later transition to a permanent role. Others do what suits them best. Take the time to look at yourself honestly, and you will make the choice that moves you forward.