A permanent job is still the starting point for job seekers. However, permanent jobs are no longer up for grabs. Many entrepreneurs are reluctant to hire new employees and are increasingly looking for flexible workers and temporary workers. After all, they can immediately dismiss them if there is no more work for them at a certain time. For years, looking for a permanent job was the way for most people to find paid work. Not only that, but within a contract as an employee one also had the benefit of protective measures, such as the work-out period, a fixed number of vacation days, and so on. After all, without a permanent job one has less security. Not everyone likes that.
Used to a permanent job as an employee
Many employees have become accustomed to a permanent job in the past and usually look for such a secure income again after their dismissal. That’s no wonder, because for years looking for a permanent job was a normal goal of every employee. This was also promoted by the trade union movements and the government. After all, a permanent job gives an employee some security for the future. He or she is assured of a fixed income for a longer period of time.
The guarantees of a permanent job
A steady job makes it easier to make investments, take out a mortgage to buy a house and plan for retirement. People also make larger purchases more quickly than when the monthly income is uncertain. Even planning a family is easier if one has some certainty, because children also cost money.
Flexible contracts
However, anyone above a certain age limit can no longer easily find a permanent job. However, one can often get an appointment for a short period of time, for six months or for a year, after which the contract can be extended or not. That is precarious work. This is not pleasant for people with obligations, such as a mortgage. Older employees also often have children in puberty or who are just about to start studying, making it difficult to look ahead financially. Anyone who has had a thorough education and is good and has a lot of professional knowledge will soon think about starting their own business.
Fluctuations in the economy
Few employees understand an entrepreneur who has to fire some of his employees. Certainly not, if they are fired themselves. However, entrepreneurs are dependent on the economy and the profit they can expect from their company. That may be very good at the moment, but perhaps less so in a few years. An entrepreneur is never sure of the profit the company will make. This has consequences for firing and hiring employees.
Salaries are the largest expense item
After all, employee salaries are a company’s largest cost item and are therefore the first to be cut. It simply yields the most. Business owners who are unsure of their profits and a steady supply of business are very cautious about hiring. After all, they want to keep their company alive and not go bankrupt on unnecessary salary costs for employees, for whom there is not always work within their company.
Dramatic for the employee
This is of course dramatic for the employees. First of all there is the dismissal. If a company is in trouble, everyone thinks about it, but no one seriously expects that he or she will end up on the street. The shock usually comes unexpectedly, after which the search for another job begins.
Looking for a permanent job alone is not smart
However, those who are only after a permanent job often end up disappointed. After all, the number of seeking employees is usually higher than the number of jobs. In addition, not every employee is suitable for every job. Companies specifically look for people with degrees and skills in certain fields.
Secondment agency or employment agency
Many people therefore start with a secondment agency or employment agency. Those who are employed by a secondment agency are still best off. There, the employee can receive an appointment and a contract, after which he or she is sent to companies.
You will remain employed by a secondment agency
However, once work with a particular client has ended, the employee is still employed by the secondment agency and will be reassigned. The secondment agency tries to retain employees and also helps them to further develop in their profession. Their employees can take courses. The secondment agencies usually provide well-trained people who are appreciated by the companies.
Finding a permanent job through an employment agency is a rarity
Especially with a temporary employment agency, you earn less as an employee than with a secondment company or through a direct appointment with a company, because the temporary employment agency skims part of your salary and also charges the company an extra part of your salary. In this way, the agency earns on both sides, while the temporary worker ultimately has less in his purse.
No working period at an employment agency
In addition, there is no work-out period and the temporary worker can be dismissed on a daily basis. When there is suddenly no more work for him, the employee suddenly finds himself on the street. This is of course easier for the company, which will not incur any additional costs and is therefore happy to pay the employment agency some extra per day worked. After all, that is cheaper than hiring an employee and having to pay him a salary if there is little or no work for a period.
Become a freelancer or start your own business
Anyone who, due to age or another reason, cannot get work at a company, a secondment agency or even an employment agency, would do well to look for work themselves and not wait until he or she falls on social assistance. It is not easy to look for work and stand on your own two feet, but anything is better than applying for social assistance benefits. That doesn’t make anyone rich and what’s more, there is government interference with your expenses.
Calculate the costs carefully first
To start your own business from scratch, you must prepare and calculate everything carefully. Be careful, however, because many novice entrepreneurs underestimate the costs of the business. You should also think carefully about the amounts you can ask your customers for work done.
Calculate carefully
The entire cost must be properly calculated. Don’t do that in an hour, because then you are guaranteed to forget a number of things. If necessary, ask a family member, friend or acquaintance what you should keep in mind. However, every company is different, and therefore also different in costs and options.
Don’t forget the administration
Also think about the administration and the equipment you need to get started and preferably start from home with as little costs as possible. After all, expansion is always possible as soon as your business starts to run smoothly. In addition, you must have a customer-friendly attitude from the start, so that you get satisfied customers and good word of mouth advertising.
Responsible for your own income
Working for oneself is definitely not easy, but it has always been that way in the past. Once upon a time, everyone was responsible for their own income and maintenance and that of their own family. Many people have become accustomed to this due to the years of convenience of a permanent job, but that is not always easy to obtain. This is especially difficult for the elderly.