The Triad Tipster - Spring 2001 Premier Issue

Information for you and your career...

Contract Vs. Consulting

Contract employment means most often that you are a W2 employee of an agency rather than being self employed. Some advantages to being a contractor for an agency include:

Social Security/FICA contributions matched

Unemployment Insurance paid

Worker's Compensation Insurance

Medical Benefit Programs

Retirement Programs

When you consult, you are responsible for paying your own taxes and matching your Social Security contribution. You also are not eligible to collect unemployment should you need it. Ant medical plan you purchase would be without the advantage of the group of the group rates available through agencies. In addition, most agencies offer a 401K plan for rollover and deductions.

As an independent, part of your job would be to constantly be marketing yourself instead of focusing on your current project. Anyone without a solid foundation of potential clients will tell you that this is the most difficult part of being self-employed. An agency is there to market YOU and YOUR skills.

Have you looked at your resume lately?

(Part 1)

Many contractors look at their resume when they end a job. They update it with the current position, dates and location, hit save and do not think of it again. Maybe a closer look at your resume can improve your chances of attracting interest from hiring managers, and keep you from getting lost in the files of various agencies. We are going to provide an ongoing  series of  tips and ideas.

Classic formats work-Objective, Skills, Work History, Education. They work because managers know where to go quickly find the information they are looking for. 

Include accurate dates using both month and year. Avoid gaps in dates even if worked outside your chosen field.