Working for a company has its perks. But there are also some big drawbacks to being an employee, which is why some people choose to go it alone and become self-employed. If you’re tired of the limitations of working for someone else, you may wish to consider becoming a contractor. This has a number of benefits over traditional employment, and we’re going to take a look at a few of these now. So, let’s dive in!
1. You Can Make More Money
Working as a contractor can be a more lucrative option than working for a company when it comes to your finances. When you are a contractor, you are able to set your own rates and charge more for your services. Of course, when you’re first starting out, you may wish to charge a slightly lower rate as you establish yourself but, once you have found your feet and built up your reputation, you will be able to set a price that reflects your expertise and the quality job that you know you will be able to do.
Of course, making money also involves managing your money. When it comes to managing your finances, it is important to be mindful of your expenses and make sure that you are charging enough for your services to cover these costs. It is also important to have a savings account in case of any unexpected financial emergencies. Should you feel like you need help with your money, you could always get in touch with someone like an accountant for contractor and let them take care of this important aspect of your business for you.
2. You Have Freedom Of Choice
As a contractor, you have the freedom to choose who you work with. You can work with any company or individual you choose, which gives you a lot of control over your work situation. You’re not limited to working with a single company, and you’re not stuck in a job you don’t like, meaning you can fill your days with projects and jobs that you will genuinely want to do, and enjoy doing. Plus, if you do find that you aren’t enjoying a job, you know you’ll be able to move on as soon as it’s done, and you never have to do that job again.
You also have the freedom to work from anywhere you want, giving you more flexibility in your life and opening doors that perhaps would have never opened if you were working for a company and bound to one place in particular. And, unlike working for a traditional company, being a self-employed contractor means that you are able to set your own working hours to suit yourself and your lifestyle, giving you full control over your work-life balance, and the flexibility to adjust your hours, should you need to.
3. You Can Really Improve Your Skills
When you work as a contractor, you have the opportunity to hone your skills in a particular field or specialism within a field. This is because you are able to take on multiple projects at once and work on them until they are complete and, crucially, choose the type of projects that you do. If you know you would like to build your skills in an area you are not as familiar as others, you can focus solely on projects that involve this so that you can bring these up to a standard you feel happy with.
You will also have the opportunity to learn new skills because you are working with different people on different projects, and you will be able to talk to them during the work and ask them as many questions as possible. Having as many strings to your bow as possible will only benefit you as a contractor, as this will mean you are able to take on lots of different jobs and keep your work varied.
4. You Can Seriously Grow Your Network
When you work for a company, they will be tied into contracts and deals with certain individuals, and you may only ever work with a few names during your time with them. As a contractor, however, you have the unique opportunity to grow your network significantly. This is because you are able to work with a variety of people from different backgrounds which, as we mentioned before, can help expand your knowledge and skillset and, of course, your contacts.
Additionally, as a contractor you may be able to work with some of the top professionals in your field, which can help you advance your career. Plus, if your customers are happy with your work and, of course, your professionalism throughout the process, they may recommend you to others when they ask about the type of product or service you offer.
Final Thoughts
Choosing to be a contractor can have many benefits, both financial and non-financial. All in all, there are many reasons why contracting can be a great choice for your career, and we have only scratched the surface with the above points. If you’re seriously thinking about making the switch, do your research and talk to other contractors to learn more about what it’s like to work this way so that you can make an informed decision as to whether this could be the life for you.
