The Sweet Side of Contract Work

When most people envision themselves working, they might see themselves at a desk, inside a cubicle, working 9-to-5. However, for creative, this might not always be the case. They might see themselves working remotely, dictating their own hours and completing assignments on a project-by-project basis. Others may see themselves pursuing a line of contract work.

There are plenty of redeeming qualities associated with working on a contract basis, rather than as a full-time employee. Here are just a handful of the reasons you might be drawn to contract work.

Flexibility

One of the main benefits of contract work is the possible autonomy that comes with representation from an agency, rather than by a corporation. Many organizations allow their contract workers to complete their duties remotely, and others even allow these professionals to dictate their own hours. Since the host organization is not technically a contract worker’s employer, the individual can develop stipulations with the agency that represents them. The typical conditions and requirements deemed necessary for full-time workers are not always applicable to contract employees.

Contract work allows professionals to complete projects for multiple companies at the same time, whereas full-time employees are primarily restricted to working with one. In addition, contract employees have the ability to subcontract out work as needed, while full-time workers in non-management positions do not typically have this power.

Versatility

Contract work is a great way to decide where you can see yourself working if you plan on transitioning from contract to full-time. You have the opportunity to work in multiple different industries and under various leadership styles. In addition, you can gain a feel for the type of environment you might prefer, including:

• Startup vs. established corporation
• Small vs. large organization
• Private vs. public company

Even if you don’t plan on making the switch from contract to full-time, working in multiple industries prevents a sense of monotony that many full-time employees feel from working on the same types of projects every day. By wearing multiple hats and completing projects for different organizations every day, your work will stay fresh at all times.

Conversion

Not all contract work has a strict end date. In fact, many employers are open to offering full-time work to contract workers, since it costs the company less to do so and decreases the amount of time needed to train the employee. According to Glassdoor, the average U.S. employer spends an average of $4,000 and 24 days to hire a new employee. Between marketing, job sourcing and pre-hire assessments, organizations are more likely to bring on contract employees who have done outstanding work than outsource for new workers. This can be a great opportunity if you’d like a change from the hustle-bustle of contract work.

Contract Work with Profiles

If you’d like to join the fast-paced field of contract work, reach out to the creative recruiters at Profiles. After browsing your credentials, we can set you up with companies that are currently seeking talented contract workers.