Hi:

I have extensivie contractor experience.   I am not much for candy-coating my thoughts, so here goes.   How does management think about contractors working on the same team?   In a word: differently.   Basically, often I am called upon to do what others can not or will not do - the tough stuff, especially integration of the work of others    At the same time managements willingness to engage me interpersonnally (a contractor)  is  often significantly less than with permanent employees.   That is, I experience alot less of the informal relationship building with management than do the perms. 

So contracting often requires a person to work exceptionally hard under exceptionally difficult relationship conditions.   This, of course, can cause alot of stress.   On my current assignment, they had to let another contractor go because the person buckled under the conditions that I mentioned.   She was imagining angery voices goating her at work.   It rattled me just observing her.

On the pulse side, most managers know that a good contractor has to be an exceptionally strong person, and this of course will lead to significant rewards for the individual, whether he/she remains in contracting or becomes an employee.

Tony    

At the same time

Hi Irene,

It really depends on the environment.  In most places I've been, contractors are viewed: a) suspiciously ("they have not loyalty to the company"), b) with disdain (apparently because we are supposed to make so much more money), c) expendable.  That said, in my current position the employer has treated me very respectfully and as part of the team.  Typically no differentiation is made, except of course when employee specific items of interest come up (training, wages, vacation times, etc.). 

In most places, knowledge-based contractors (as opposed to temp workers or administrative contractors) are brought in on an as-needed basis to fill a void due to lack of talent within the employee pool.  As such, they are paid a premium and are expected to be able to perform as good or better than an equivalent employee, and most often with little or no orientation time (one of my BA instructors is fond of saying that when he hires a contractor, if they don't produce anything by the end of week 1 they aren't around for week 2).  I agree with Tony that in some places they can be dumped on/pressured even more, although that is not always the case.

Why do I do it?  Money is definitely a factor - I make about 50% more as a contractor (right now), although after factoring unpaid vacation, sick days, insurance, payroll taxes, paying for my own training etc. it's probably down to about 15-20%.  But for me, I love the flexibility of moving between projects and companies, which in turn gives me a greater breadth of experience and knowledge base.  I also enjoy the challenge of having people with high expectations of me.  I am more likely to be able to take off longer periods of time so I can travel (not simply 'vacation') while I am still young, and later on I see benefits of being able to take off more time to be with my family.  I am also looking to go overseas for at least one contract before I have children, something that would be very difficult to do if I was looking for a permanent position (6 months would be perfect for me). 

In most places in the world, a contractor is expected to be able to leverage their expertise and get up and running quicker and always produce high quality results.  As such, I would wait until you have at least a couple solid years of experience in a chosen profession before venturing out.  I did break this rule though - my first full-time BA job was as a contractor.  The reason I made the jump early was the opportunity presented itself and my locale's job market is extremely hot right now, so the timing was right.