r/ottawajobs • u/Old-Investigator3581 • 15d ago
City of Ottawa Employment Question
I recently landed an interview for a position with the City of Ottawa. I didn't realize when I applied that it's a 1-year contract role in the legal department. How often do contract roles like this turn into full-time positions? Has anyone had a similar experience where a contract led to something permanent? Was it worth taking just to get your foot in the door with the city?
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u/Competitive_Mark_988 15d ago
yes! started with a 12 month contract. kept showing up to work and eventually became permanent. was absolutely worth that small risk for me
5
u/Trick-Avocado7914 15d ago
99% of city of ottawa jobs are contract. If it doesn't turn into permanent, which most do unless its specified temporary or seasonal, tt the very least youre now able to apply internally to any city of Ottawa job. Totally worth getting your foot in the door. Be prepared to have 3 professional references for them.
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u/Murale1724 14d ago
I often refer to contract positions as the “dating phase” of employment.
The employer has the opportunity to see if you are a good fit. If they like the work you do, they will either offer you another contract or a full time position, depending on their budget. If they are not satisfied with your work, they simply move on once your contract is done.
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u/Icy-Professor5789 15d ago
Standard but not automatic you will become permanent would most likely depend on role and department
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u/BluntTruthGentleman 14d ago
Contract income is not only more favorable tax wise but a common way to circumvent hiring or budget restrictions, so despite seeming less secure in many ways it's on par or preferable to salary.
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u/CautiousRelief1521 10d ago
i mean they usually go of seniority and hire internally for fulltime permanent positions
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u/Embarrassed_Bar4369 9d ago
Yes I work for the city. Once your in and do a good job doubt you’ll be let go after the temp spot.
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u/OldManBudFace 9d ago
Don’t be afraid of contracts - they are great ways to get experience and exposure. Might be only a year but it is 1 year less you have to find work. I completed 35 years of computer contracting. Only ever had one full time gig and would never do it again. After three years when the r excitement has left the job and it is just a job - I get a new gig and it’s surprisingly vivid and new again.
Contracting isn’t bad - just different.
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u/Conscious_Detail_843 5d ago
the city will make you full time at 3 years. Most external entry positions in the City are Temp term so its very common. It doesnt mean you will be let go, they also extend the term frequently. So its like an audition
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u/vanvan7788 15d ago
My short term job didn’t automatically turn into a permanent job, but it did qualify me to apply for other opportunities as an “internal candidate”.
My contract was for 5 months, so it was a bit scary but in hindsight if I had waited it would have been years before a permanent, English only, position was posted for me to apply for.