7 advantages of contract work

Contract work is often misunderstood. The reality is that while full-time roles work for some people, they don’t work for everyone.

Furthering education, family support, and additional income to support your new business venture are just a few reasons you may be looking at contract roles over a permanent position.

Before taking a career leap, consider these seven advantages to contract work.

High demand

Contract work is currently in high demand, with most economists predicting this job sector will keep growing.

Contractors play an essential role in the industries we operate in.

Companies have short-term projects and specialised jobs they need to complete that don’t require full-time or ongoing resources. Because of this, a wealth of opportunities are available that fit your skills, experience and interests.

Less competition

Depending on the type of work you are interested in, there can be a less competition for contract work than permanent positions.

This allows you to get work experience in an industry that may otherwise have been elusive.

Once you are in a contract role, you can work with hiring managers and prove your worth. You never know what permanent roles they may be hiring for, and your current position allows them to see all the skills you could bring to a role.

Higher rate of pay

People often associate contract work with a lower rate of pay. While this may be true for entry-level roles, it is not the case for skilled employees.

Contract placements can often provide an opportunity for a higher rate of pay than a full-time salary. Contract work and freelancing allow you to take on as many jobs as you can handle and for you to charge by the hour or by the project.

Scheduled time off

Disconnecting when you are in a full-time job can be incredibly difficult. Especially if you are short of vacation days.

With contract work, scheduling time off is as easy as allowing a couple of weeks in between contracts. You never have to worry if there are coworkers to cover your workload, as your work has an end date.

Flexibility

Unlike full-time work, contract work allows for great flexibility. Depending on the role, you will have greater control over the hours worked and the duties performed.

You may even have the opportunity to subcontract work, where full-time employees aren’t able to.

You can pursue work that doesn’t take over your whole life while supplementing your income without the commitment required of a full-time job. You are able to take work when it is most convenient for you.

Gaining new skills and experience

As you take on contract work, you inevitably learn new skills and work with new systems.

This is a huge advantage in a world filled with ever-advancing technology. The ability to adopt new skills is essential to being employable long term.

As you will be working in various workplaces, you will develop your adaptability and entirely new skill sets.

You are still legally protected

It’s important to remember that even as a contractor, you have employment rights. While every country will have different rules governing contract employment, those rules are still in place.

Make sure to familiarise yourself with employment standard rules for temporary and contract workers. This will make sure you are never taken advantage of in any role you accept.

Is contract work right for you?

While contract work has many upsides, it is not ideal for everyone. If you are not interested in constantly looking for new contract opportunities or will struggle with an unstable income, then you may want to think twice before leaping into contract work.

On the other hand, contract work could be a good solution for you. If you find a recruitment agency that can continuously place you in positions (that match your expertise), you can get some of the benefits that come along with a permanent role.

Find your next contract role today

If all the advantages above sound ideal, our recruiters love helping qualified candidates move their careers forward in contract and permanent roles.

View our current contract vacancies on our job board.