\u200bMany people are nervous about transitioning from a 9-5 job with one employer to a contract position with many employers. And that\u2019s understandable\u2014after all, if you\u2019re not in the know, being a short-term consultant can seem rather daunting. Key phrase: If you\u2019re not in the know. Once employees realize the benefits of contract work, many of them fall in love with the lifestyle. From the chance to hone your expertise and work on the most compelling projects to the opportunity to network and set your own hours, the life of a contractor has a lot to offer.<\/p>\n
At a traditional work-place, you don\u2019t get to choose which projects you\u2019d like to work on\u2014they\u2019re given to you. However, as a short-term consultant, you have total control over what you take on. Does a certain assignment sound really exciting, while another doesn\u2019t engage you? You\u2019re free to say yes to the first while passing on the second. Maybe you love working with specific technologies or in specific industries. As long as you\u2019ve got a heavy enough volume of work to support yourself, you\u2019ll be able to seek out the most engaging assignments.<\/p>\n
Research shows that having even moderate control over your schedule boosts your work-life balance, job satisfaction, and productivity. And as if that wasn\u2019t enough, deciding your work-hours also improves your mental health, sleep quality, and blood pressure.
When accepting a contract position, many companies offer the ability to set flexible schedules, or even work remotely. And when it comes to contract assignments, you decide how long you take off between each one! Maybe you\u2019ve recently wrapped up a long-term assignment, and you\u2019re day-dreaming of a vacation on the beach. While a full-time employee would have to wait weeks to request time off, and even then might not get the green light, you can book your plane tickets the minute you decide to go. Or maybe you want six or seven days to relax between your next project. That works, too.<\/p>\n
Every new company at which you work is another fantastic opportunity to make contacts. When you walk in the door, you\u2019ve got the opportunity to meet anywhere from 20 to 2,000 new people with a variety of skills, experiences, and backgrounds. And then in a couple months, when you go to your next assignment, you\u2019re getting the same opportunity all over again.?While you might have to work a little harder to meet people (link to \u201cpermanent connections\u201d article), the sheer number of connections you can make more than makes up for the extra effort.<\/p>\n
While we\u2019re on the subject of co-workers\u2014it can be difficult working (and getting along with) the same co-workers, year after year. But as a consultant, you\u2019ll be relatively immune from work-place drama and disagreements. In addition, when you leave the company, you can choose with whom you want to stay in contact, so you\u2019ll never have to maintain negative relationships in an effort not to rock the boat.<\/p>\n
Perhaps you\u2019re choosing to become a contractor because you\u2019re already well-versed in a specific technology, skill, or role. Or perhaps you want the opportunity to become a subject-matter expert. Companies will usually seek out contractors for jobs or projects they cannot perform in-house, which means you\u2019ll truly be the authority. Every job you perform will teach you a little more about your chosen domain or area of expertise\u2014if you\u2019re passionate about your work and furthering your craft, this can be a compelling reason to go the freelance route.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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