Contract vs. Permanent Positions

Often qualified candidates turn down lucrative contract employment opportunities, while they spend months looking for the perceived stability of permanent employment.

It is a common for large corporations to classify certain positions as contract, not because it has a limited duration, but due to overhead cost allocation.  Corporations also classify certain positions as contract so they can try a contractor in their environment before they convert them to a permanent employee. A significant portion of contract assignments eventually turn into permanent job offers within the first year or two.

The IT industry is dynamic and constantly evolving.  Contract positions allow the contract consultant to continue to evolve with these technology changes.  Permanent employees may be in technical environments that don’t change or evolve for several years.  Contractors have the ability to move between companies or groups and divisions within the same organization.  These varied contracts often have different and new technologies.

Contract jobs are obviously not for everyone. The benefits and perks that come with permanent positions can outweigh the flexibility and technical evolution that comes with contracting.

Thinking in terms of your long-term career goals, a contract opportunity often provides a better path to upgrade your skills or have a high-profile employer on your resume that you may otherwise not have.  There are pros to contract and permanent positions.  Job seekers should consider all opportunities available.