Contractors Vs Full timers

This is one interesting topic which we can discuss for hours. There are pros and cons in both the type of employment. In any project not just an IT project we may not know how will the Project progress; for example, the company changes direction and the project gets killed, or assigned a lower priority. At this time the Contractors are more flexible. I always like this example when it comes to Contractors. When a Glass jar is pull of pebbles upto the top and when we wonder how to add substance to it then the only thing we can do is to add water. Contractors can be used the same way and hence provide flexibility to an arganization. Even in the current senario when company is scared to hire Full time people go for Contractors as they are flexible. It is a well known fact that Contractors get a fat salary whereas they compromise on training, insurance, paid vacation, sick time, profit sharing, 401K matching, worker’s compensation etc. It is really upto the individual whether he/she needs a 401 K matching and other benefits. According to me I would like to have the money instead and take care of what all I need. Its my personal choice and I would prioritize based on my needs.

Another advantage being a Contractor is your learning curve. Well any learning is upto the individual.He can either make Diamond out of nothing or make nothing out of a Diamond. The presssure for a Contractor is more as he is being brought exclusively to do a particular piece of work within a particular period of time. He by all means has to complete before he rolls out of a project. This automatically makes the learning curve scale greater heights. Being a contractor has another big advantage that of getting to accustom in different environments. Today you work on an automotive industry and six months down the lane you work on a Pharma industry. You meet different people and work in different environement. Right from the coffee machine to the Software tool you use keep changing. If you are a contractor and on top of that a Consultant then you are in for a real treat. Of course we do shift gears at some point considering the personal ciscumstances.

One crucial thing is Contract positions is “Networking”. You got to keep in touch with the recruiters all the time. In a counntry as big as United States there are positions open in every nook and corner, but to know its important they we are in touch with as many recruiters as possible. In my recent project the company decided to move all its full time employees from SAP to mainframe as the ERP project is gone outside to a third party vendor. I could see all of them very unhappy as they didn’t want to leave what they have been doing. But they did not have any choice as they have commitments. So Contractors also have the luxury to work on what they intend to do.

Botton line is people switch gears between contract and full time positions according to their personal situations. Its as simple as choosing your buffet, if you need hot and spicy food for an Indian restaurant or if you need yummy food with less spicy go for Chinese buffet.