In this blog, you will learn:
- What attracted this Digital Analyst to interim work.
- How a Digital Analyst helps to ensure the correct support is provided to SEN pupils.
Advice for approaching the first 30 days of an interim assignment.
Where the latest interim change and transformation jobs are and how to apply for them.
Ready to embrace your next interim contract? In this industry interview, we’re catching up with a Digital Analyst to discover how they approach the first 30 days of a new interim assignment. We’re also exploring how the important work they do helps to ensure that effective support is provided to pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
From planning ahead to assessing required deadlines, this Digital Analyst shares valuable advice for success in the interim market.
Can you tell me a bit about your current role?
I am currently a Digital Analyst and I work on education systems.
Can you walk me through your career journey and how it led you to interim work?
I have a lot of skills, some that I obtained from my university studies and others that I obtained through my professional career. Interim work allows me to utilise these different skills which is why I followed this career path. I have found that permanent positions can sometimes box me up and leave me with a lot of skills that will remain dormant from being used.
What attracts you to interim work in the public sector specifically?
The main thing that has attracted me to interim work is that I like making a difference with my work. Interim work means I can work in one area then move on and make that difference somewhere else, where help might be needed too.
Tell us about your most recent interim role - what was your brief and what impact did you deliver?
My most recent interim role has involved helping to analyse existing data, manually importing and cleaning thousands of records. This work has helped keep records accurate and up to date, meaning correct funding was allocated to the correct children, correct data was processed during the admissions rounds and the correct SEN support was given to the pupils as needed.
How do you typically approach your first 30 days in a new assignment?
I like to look at my access - what do I have and what will I need access to for the work? I typically navigate through existing software and familiarise myself with it in the first week or two. I assess the required tasks and deadlines and make myself a weekly or daily target plan and share that with the manager for their agreement.
What’s your proudest career achievement so far?
The level of trust managers have in me. They are fully comfortable leaving me to work independently knowing that they will get results as promised.
What's the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt in your career so far?
Anything can be learnt and not to be scared off from applying for jobs just because I don't meet 99% of the requirements.
What’s one skill you’ve developed or refined through interim roles that you didn’t have in your earlier career?
Time management and understanding my worth. In interim roles I'm paid per day for my time. I'm hired to bring results or make a difference in a short amount of time based on my skills. This pushes me to manage my time well to achieve this and make a lasting impact.
How do you manage uncertainty or gaps between contracts?
I like to think about plan B, C and D while in an active contract to avoid gaps, even if it means looking at other contracts outside my agency. I do this with the intention of having a backup in case my agency can't find me a suitable position at the end of my active one.
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