Full-Time vs Part-Time vs. Contractor: Pros and Cons

If you are working independently – it’s all up to you, and no one is there to influence your thought process or sway your opinions. This is a good and bad thing, as we all need to widen our personal perspectives, but it can also take you in directions you didn’t want to go. You can’t control the annoying people you work within an office environment, the moldy-colored wallpaper, the elevator music, or all of the environmental factors you detest. If you are an exempt employee, you won’t get any extra compensation for showing up on a Saturday.

• It felt like I was part of a company, but did not have some of the perks that my co-workers had.
• You may also be required to sign an NDA (Non-disclosure Agreement) to enforce your confidentiality regarding the project.
• In short, full-time employees help companies create long-term growth.

This recent adaptation of the job market has had an impact, especially regarding full-time positions. But in general, it depends on what the job is about and if demonstrable experience in the field is what brings in the results a company looks for. With all of this being said, it’s now time to look at some of the most noteworthy advantages of both of these types of employment. Needless to say, while both of these options do offer some unique benefits, deciding between the two will greatly depend on various factors. So, to make the best decision, you will need to determine your financial needs, think about the career and lifestyle path you wish to take, and carefully assess the pros and cons of both of these options. The current job market is full of various opportunities, no matter the type of employment you’re looking for.

Disadvantages of Hiring Contract Workers

If you’re interested in contracting just to save money, you may want to look beyond the immediate cost to more long-term factors. Contract work, consultancy, and full-time employment each have their pros and cons; before you make any large career decisions, it’s important to weigh each option. Doing so will help you determine which type of employment best suits your individual needs and wants. But if you do continue or choose to remain in a contract role, Orr ensures that contract work is not job hopping. She also emphasizes that regardless of your time with a company, it’s part of your career story and has made you the professional you are today.

Full-time employment also offers benefits like health insurance and retirement benefits that can be important for your long-term financial security. Since these jobs are short-term, there’s always the possibility that the contract won’t be renewed or the project will end before you’re ready to move on. This can create a lot of uncertainty and make it difficult to plan for the future. The solo 401K and the SEP IRA are both popular plans among freelancers. A benefit to investing money in a contract vs. full-time employee role is that you can put a lot more in these when you’re solo versus the cap set by your business.

The Ability to Work for Multiple Clients Simultaneously

Although freelancers are making more money, once that contract ends – you could be without any cash-flow. You don’t have a steady paycheck and only have as much money as you hunt for. This can be very intimidating for those who have always relied on a steady 9-5, or for families with young children and mouths to feed. Employers normally don’t really care when you work on contract vs full time salary it or if you sleep all day – as long as the project is finished before the deadline. If you are working at home and despise the morning time (against what science says should be your peak productivity period), then you can wake up at noon and work until midnight! You are free to find the routine that suits your personal productivity cycle, without anyone to answer to.

Plenty of contractors and freelancers claim to have picked up sales and marketing skills and product design knowledge during the course of their jobs. Full-timers are considered to be an internal member of their organization, receiving regularly scheduled pay through a salary or an hourly wage. Most companies also offer their full-time workers benefits, like paid time off, health insurance, family medical leave and employer contributions to Medicare and Social Security.

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It’s also good for someone trying out a new job, or programming language. It can be a great place to get your feet wet before deciding if you want to jump in the pool. If I were making $60 an hour but full time my current company would be paying $8008 a year into my $401K. Here is an overview of the benefits and drawbacks to both types of employee structures. Contractors are only paid when working due to the hourly/independent nature of the job.

• More and more contract employees are offered benefits, so you can’t use the ‘benefits’ debate as your main argument against freelancing anymore.
• Full-time employment can also offer opportunities for career growth and advancement.
• If you’re working on a contract basis, you’ll need to factor in the cost of these benefits when negotiating your rate of pay.
• Imagine how much more would be on your shoulders than if you had an entire company and team to support you.
• There’s no reason to scrounge for more projects they can work on—hire them for a short period and bring them back later if you need them.