Contract jobs or contract-to-hire positions are common when an IT company needs someone with technical skills to work on an upcoming short or long-term project. Today’s IT job market hiring trends point to a greater number of contract jobs being offered. As most companies prefer to hire contract workers to help them ride out the uncertainties the COVID-19 pandemic has brought, at least temporarily.

In a recent post, we covered the differences between contract and permanent work. In this post, we will discuss some of the advantages a contract position brings to the table.

4 Advantages to Contract Work

There are plenty of upsides to contract jobs. They’re:

1. A great opportunity to build up your skill sets in a way you might not otherwise have been able to.
2. Essentially, “working interviews” - where you and the employer get to work together and see if there is a future for you at the company.
3. A perfect option if you’re highly skilled, as you get to pick and choose the projects you want to work on, and take time off whenever you’d like to travel or pursue another goal.
4. An entry to testing out various companies in different industries, states or countries.

If there’s a downside to contract work, it’s controlling the perception that you “can’t hold down a job.” An experienced IT recruiter can help ensure your resume and reputation properly reflect the vital role you’ve played in contract positions. They can also show you how to highlight these positions as valuable assets when seeking other contract jobs or a full-time position.

What to Watch For When Taking a Contract Job

One of the greatest benefits to contract jobs is they tend to garner high hourly rates. Still, you want to be clear on whether working as a 1099 contractor rather than a W-2 employee is in your best financial interests.

Other things to consider include:

• How many hours you’ll be working per week. Big, immediate projects often require longer days. That means either time and a half or an overall higher rate.
• Ensuring your written contract clearly spells out what’s required, the pay rate, and whether there’s an opportunity for full-time employment in the future.

When a contract job ends, an employer may ask you to extend the contract for another project. You can then decide if you want to accept, ask for more compensation, or move on to another company where you can continue building your network and industry relationships.

A Smart Career Move

Contract jobs are an excellent opportunity to diversify your skill sets, build valuable industry contacts, and get your foot in the door at multinational organizations. If you’re undecided about whether a contract job is the right path for you, an experienced IT recruiter can help you decide if accepting a contract position is a wise choice. To learn more, contact Taurean Consulting Group at 702-529-0378, today.