Of course, sometimes top managers take a temp spot out of necessity, when they're between permanent jobs. CFO Paul Cattermole likes the temping life because it lets him concentrate on practicing his discipline rather than playing games. I'm not trying to befriend the president so that he gives me a bonus in two years. On the other hand, if an executive parachutes into a company, the interpersonal challenges can be daunting. Woodall says that CIOs who relish interim assignments usually share certain personal traits.
Some people really love problem-solving, troubleshooting, acting as the knight on a white horse.
They love to come into a brand new or hurting organization and craft a plan. But the upside potential is limited, because executives for hire typically don't accumulate the equity that can make gazillionaires of their permanent counterparts. Many aspiring temp execs work with a recruiting firm. But that's not the only way, says Cattermole, who has lent his financial prowess to 20 or more companies over the last 10 years. On the flip side, where you golf game is concerned, regular stretches of unemployment might not be a bad thing.