4 Reasons Why a Tech Contract Position is Right For You

Business and communications technologies continue to evolve at a quickening pace, which has led to revolutionary shifts in the way professionals in the tech industry work. One of the most notable changes has been the rapid increase in the number of tech employees in recent years who are accepting contract positions over full-time roles. Google is a notable example. In 2018, the tech giant employed more contractors than full-time employees for the first time since the company’s inception in 1998. On a larger scale, a 2017 report by Upwork estimates that no less than 37% of the US workforce is now comprised of contractors, and that number is only expected to increase.

In other words, it’s a great time to look into contract positions if you’re a tech professional. Here are four reasons why a contract position in tech might be right for you:

Job Variety

One of the biggest benefits of contract work is the freedom to move around to different teams, projects, and environments. This is the perfect scenario for any employee that isn’t crazy about the permanent surroundings that come along with a full-time permanent position.

Flexibility

Contractors often have the freedom to work on their own terms, which includes choosing their own hours, timelines, availability, and work location.

Paychecks

Because employers don’t need to factor in the costs of benefits when working with contractors, they can typically afford to pay them more for short-term work.

Build multiple skill sets

One of the major benefits of the frequent movement between environments and roles that contract work entails is a freelancers ability to develop the skills of adaptability. Often, employees working a full-time position become expert in a single, narrow role. They have difficulty translating into other avenues that they’d like to pursue. Contractors, on the other hand, have frequent opportunities to develop new skills which can be applied to future roles down the road.