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Originally Posted by Rapid  Could anyone tell me his/her experience with working as a contractor? The PRO's and CON's? |
I spent a couple of years contracting as a software developer
Pros: Pay generally better than a full time employee. If the contract is structured right, you get paid for all hours worked. You are being hired to provide a skill that you enjoy. Generally you are an outsider and don't have to attend mandatory company meetings.
Cons: You pay for all benefits, however if you are working as an Independent consultant there are some tax benefits. Health Insurance costs will be higher. Don't expect to be working a full year. Your time between contracts could be 6 months or longer. Generally you are an outsider and can sometimes by socially isolating. Pay isnt as good as it used to be, thus making a salary+benefits almost equal to a contractors salary.
To be successful you need to treat it as a business. When not working you need to be writing articles, blogging, giving presentations, i.e. marketing your skills. Also, you need to be constantly networking in your off hours to keep your sales pipeline full.
Contracting is self employment and the same as having a job. Except you carry more risk and have to do twice the work.
If you are in-between jobs and need something to make ends meet then by all means go for it.
I wouldn't view contracting as a long term career but a means to an end until you have your own business or find something you enjoy being employed for.