We’ve seen signs of hiring since 2010 began, with both large and small companies requesting high level experience to make up for all the layoffs of the past two years. They want great talent, but for the most part, have been unwilling to commit to full-time, because the focus now is on getting projects going again while keeping costs low.
If you have been one of the lucky ones to be working part-time in your profession, and believe your talents and commitment to the job deserve greater commitment on the part of the company, now can be a good time to request full-time.
When budgets are still being reigned in, how can you get your company to agree to a jump in compensation?
The best strategy is to negotiate to make flexible work arrangements the centerpiece of your transition to full-time, thus trading freedom and control over when and where you work for a compensation package that is more than you are making now, but is still less than a traditional full-time position would warrant.
Here are some strategies for using flexible work arrangements to obtain more hours and thus greater compensation while keeping your total package well within budget.
. Telecommuting allows you to work from home, sparing your costly and time-consuming daily commutes, and allowing you the freedom to work when you are needed most;
. Job-sharing — Two people with complimentary skills can provide greater depth and breadth of talent and experience at less than the cost of one full-timer who works long hours
. Permanent part-time — In exchange for keeping your hours short of full-time, you can request a transition to a permanent staff position that includes benefits, but still keeps your pay package less than full-time.
Once you have proven your value to a company by demonstrating a high level of productivity and commitment, you are in the best position to negotiate for full-time when you use flexible work arrangements to reduce the amount of compensation by trading for the freedom and control of flexibility.
