Question:
CS degree, 3 years of software and hardware experience professionally
and I can't get squat. I was recently offered a level 1 Help Desk
position, but I just can't stomach phone support. Looks like I might
be sweeping the floors at the local Walmart!
Anyone gone the contract-to-hire route? Is this the new economy? There
have been contract-to-hire positions that last six months without
benefits. Is this normal for this industry? What if I break out of
the contract?
Answer:
-I started out on my own about 9 years ago on a small contract. Within a
year I was working 3 part-time contracts simultaneously. A year after that
I went legal, got my business license and "hung out my shingle". I still
rely on contract work for about 10% of my business. It took a while, but I
was finally able to get (limited) benefits for myself. That area's pretty
tough for the self-employed, but if you dig deep there are some
possibilities. I think contracting is pretty normal for the industry. Just
make sure the contract pays well enough to make up, at least partially, for
the lack of benefits and zero job security. Until you can establish a name
for yourself in the community, going the employee route is really better,
but if the market's not there in your area, then it just isn't there.
As far as breaking out of a contract goes, I wouldn't advise it if you ever
want to work in the business again. Word tends to get around pretty fast
when the question is whether someone's word is good or not, so don't even
renege on a verbal agreement. It's really, really bad business
-That is true. When you're a contract employee, the only thing a potential
employer is concerned with is if you know what you're doing, and if they
can rely on you to do it. At least in my experience.
If you have any doubts of being able to keep your end of the contract, don't
accept the contract.
