Anyone looking to move into the interim jobs market should consider developing a portfolio career, according to advice recently published on The Recruiter.

The advice comes from David Mellor, a man who has carved himself an impressive portfolio career ranging from experience in education, HR consultancy, business mentoring and non-executive director positions.

A portfolio career, Mr Mellor argues, offers "a better quality of life".

"Like most things in life it follows the old rule of '10% inspiration, 90% perspiration' and it has taken over six years for me to mould the portfolio mix with which I am really comfortable," explained Mr Mellor.

Anyone in pursuit of an interim job must understand the value of networking, he advises. He says that if the focus of networking is to build relationships, then over time good networking can produce some extraordinary results.

"What has a portfolio career given me? So many things including variety, interest, challenge, recognition, freedom from politics, appropriate financial reward, personal development, a sense of fulfilment, greater autonomy and flexibility. Perhaps most importantly it has enabled me to work with people I like and for people I like."

"It is not easy; it has challenges like any other role, but if you get it right the rewards are enormous - and you can have some fun as well," he concluded.

Comments

Helen Wiles on 01 August 2011 15:19:59

I can personally vouch for the merits of a portfolio career. I've always found it limiting to have just one job and would often do part time and voluntary work on top of my full time job. After ten years building a successful career in journalism and education, I decided to fully embrace the portfolio career life. I am now self-employed and have several strings to my bow - it's challenging and exciting. I chart my progress in my blog www.portfoliocareerist.co.uk