Working nine-to-five is not what it used to be. For starters, it’s now eight-to-five. And lunch breaks are down from an hour to a half-hour, if they’re taken at all.
Consequently, working a typical nine-to-five job is becoming less and less common in today’s labor market. Instead, millions of professionals are becoming self-employed to enjoy the many benefits of contract work. In fact, in the United States alone, 30% of the working-age population are part of the independent workforce, according to McKinsey.
So, what makes this career choice appealing to so many working professionals? In today’s blog, we will break down the top ten benefits of contract work.
1) Work Flexibility
As a contractor, there are many ways to set your own schedule and the number of projects you take on at any given time. Part-time, full-time, or even as extra income after your nine-to-five – the choice is yours!
2) Higher Hourly Wages
For skilled professionals, one of the most significant benefits of contract work is the higher hourly wages compared to a salaried employee performing the same duties.
3) Do What You Love
There’s a lot of autonomy with contract work, meaning you have more freedom to pick and choose which:
- Projects to work on
- Companies to work with
- Industries to work in
If you’re passionate about a particular aspect of your profession, as a contractor, you can make that your sole focus.
4) Learn New Skills
Whether it’s learning new software, familiarizing yourself with new equipment, or brushing up on your knowledge of a specific industry you’d like to get more involved in, contract work is a great way to expand your skillset and expertise quickly.
5) Networking
Contract work is all about networking. From meeting with new clients to conducting phone interviews to collaborating with current clients, there’s no better way to expand your professional contacts than to become involved in the contracting world.
6) You Can Have Benefits
Contrary to popular belief, contractors can have benefits. Many staffing firms, like ITAC, provide their contract employees benefits, such as health insurance, dental and vision coverage, and paid time off, based on the assignments they choose.
7) Resume Booster
As we mentioned earlier, working as a contractor will give you the chance to learn new skills, get your foot in the door at different companies, and help you know what you like and don’t like about your profession. The flexibility to work for various people, industries, and projects are all valuable experiences you can add to your resume.
8) High Demand
In today’s candidate-driven job market, companies are always on the lookout for skilled professionals, especially in high-growth industries like information technology. One of the biggest benefits of contract work in today’s market is that there’s always an opportunity for another project.
9) Fast-Paced Hiring Process
Searching for contract work often involves fewer formalities than you might be used to with a traditional job search. As a result, whether you’re looking for projects on your own or applying through a staffing firm, the hiring process is streamlined and moves quickly, meaning you’ll be earning money sooner!
10) More Freedom
When you’re self-employed, you’re your own boss – you set your hours, pick which projects you want to work on, and have the autonomy to focus on what matters most in your personal life. At the end of the day, we work to live, not live to work, and self-employment makes it possible to live life on your terms.
Looking to Kickstart Your Contractor Career? ITAC Can Help!
If you’re ready to take the leap and consider contracting as a career choice, ITAC’s team of specialized recruiters is here to help. When working with ITAC, we’ll assist you in finding projects that interest you and further your career. So contact us today to learn about the many benefits of contract work!
