Advantages of Contract Employment

Contract workers are temporary employees who work on a specific project for a predetermined amount of time. Contract jobs typically last anywhere between 6 and 12 months. Contrary to popular belief, contract work provides employees with a variety of benefits that they may not have access to while in a traditional, full-time job. Whether looking to gain knowledge in a new industry or explore new opportunities without committing to full-time right away, contract workers get to enjoy the flexibility of choosing their own professional route.

1. The chance to experience various industries and learn new skills

One of the perks of contract jobs is being able to broaden your skills and expertise in a variety of different industries over time. Contract positions are becoming more common in many different career fields today, including Information Technology, Accounting, Customer Service, and more. If you want to further expand your knowledge in your industry of interest, contract work can allow you to be in control of your own professional development. A contract position will also let you test out jobs and companies before you fully commit, giving you a good idea about whether the position and company culture is the right fit for you.

2. Workforce alignment

Thanks to remote working, companies are offering more contract work because they now have the opportunity to recruit candidates that are further beyond their geographic area. This also gives workers a wider range of job opportunities beyond their home city, and even the chance to work for a company across the state or country without relocating. The increase in contract roles also benefits the workforce by expanding opportunities for people that may have been considered out of the workforce—such as stay-at-home parents who may not have time for a full-time position, but are seeking flexible, short-term or project-based work. Contract jobs may allow candidates in these situations to find work with fewer hours or less responsibilities, that are more accommodating to their lifestyle.

3. May lead into a permanent position

Just as you might evaluate an employer during a short-term contract project, the company may also be testing you out as an employee. After all, one of the most important aspects of the hiring process is finding a candidate that is a good fit for the company–meaning they excel at their job and positively contribute to the company culture. If you find a company that you feel is the right fit for you, but they only have contract positions available at the time, it could be the best opportunity to make connections within the company and demonstrate your value, which could potentially lead to a full-time position.

4. Flexibility

Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of contract positions is that it’s mutually beneficial to the employer and the job market. Many companies may need additional staff, but not necessarily have the budget for many full-time positions. Contract roles allow the employer flexibility to temporarily take on new workers, therefore creating additional hiring opportunities that would have otherwise been unattainable. For example, an online retailer based on the East coast might experience record sales from the West coast, but lack customer service representatives (CSR) in that time zone to respond to calls or online submissions. The employer might seek West coast CSR through contract positions to work during extended business hours in that time zone. Another example would be when a financial institution needs contract underwriters to analyze a heavy influx of mortgage applications.

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