What
is the difference between contracting, consulting, and
direct employment?
What
is contract-to-direct?
Why
should I contract?
If
I accept a contract-to-direct assignment, is direct
employment guaranteed?
What
is my obligation if I accept a contract-to-direct
assignment?
What
types of employers use contractors?
As
a contractor, am I eligible for benefits?
How
am I compensated? How often am I paid?
Can
I contract as a new graduate?
What
is the difference between contracting, consulting, and
direct employment?
Triad
provides contract professionals to our clients.
As a contractor, you are a Triad employee.
Triad pays your wages, withholds your taxes, and
provides your benefits (complete coverage for
unemployment and workers’ compensation, 401(k), access
to health insurance, etc.).
Triad also pays the employer contribution to your
FICA tax, and provides you with a W-4 at the end of each
year.
Consultants are typically self-employed.
They file and pay taxes as independent business
operators, and should obtain both workers compensation
and professional liability insurance.
Direct
employees work exclusively for the client.
They are usually eligible for full benefits, including
paid sick and vacation time, and paid holidays.
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What
is contract-to-direct?
Contract-to-direct is becoming a very popular
way for employers to hire direct employees.
Contract-to-direct arrangements begin with the
candidate as a contractor at the client site.
After some period of time, there may be an offer
of direct employment with the client.
Employers and
candidates like this arrangement as it allows both
parties to try each other out in an on-the-job setting.
You can only gain a limited amount of knowledge
from an interview; however,
you can really get a sense for whether you would be
happy with an employer after first working there as a
contractor.
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Why
should I contract?
Contracting
offers many features that may appeal to you.
As a contractor, you have complete autonomy with
respect to the direction of your career.
You select which job opportunities you would like
to pursue, how much time off you would like between
jobs, etc.
Contracting offers considerable flexibility not found
with direct employment.
Some of the specific benefits of contract work
include:
-
Higher
Income. Hourly compensation at a pay
rate typically higher than direct employment would
offer for the same work.
-
Diversity.
You will have the opportunity to work in a variety
of industries on many different types of projects.
-
Skill
Development. Working on a variety of
jobs, you will rapidly enhance your technical skills
while working with the latest technologies. If you
are a new graduate, contracting is a great way to
gain valuable experience.
-
Long
Vacations. As you decide which jobs to
accept, you choose the timing and duration of your
vacations.
-
Convenience.
Your job search is conducted by an experienced
recruiter: You simply decide which jobs to accept.
Your recruiter will submit your resume, schedule
interviews, and negotiate labor rates for you.
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If
I accept a contract-to-direct assignment, is direct
employment guaranteed?
No.
Although the client has the intention
of converting you to a direct employee if the
contract period goes well, this cannot be guaranteed.
There are several reasons why a
contract-to-direct assignment could be terminated
without an offer of direct employment.
These include the loss of a key project, the loss
of funding, an unexpected downturn in the economy, etc.
That stated, in our experience the vast majority
of contract-to-direct assignments do lead to direct
positions.
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What
is my obligation if I accept a contract-to-direct assignment.
You
are not contractually bound to work at the client
facility for any specific period of time.
After contracting for a while, you many decide
that the company isn’t one for which you would like to
work directly.
However,
we do ask that you only enter into a contract-to-direct
arrangement if the possibility of becoming a direct
employee with the client appeals to you.
We ask that you not accept a contract-to-direct
assignment if, while on contract, you intend to seek a direct
assignment with another company.
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What
types of employers use contractors?
In
today’s fast-paced global market, most companies
needing skilled technical professionals can benefit from
contract services. Typically,
these are companies requiring experienced personnel to
supplement their permanent work force on short notice
either at peak times or for special expertise.
Additionally, many employers are viewing
contract-to-direct as a means to hire permanent
employees. We
currently have contractors working with clients in such
fields as aerospace, A&E, electronics, medical
device design and manufacturing, power, and optics, to name a few.
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As
a contractor, am I eligible for benefits?
Yes.
Triad offers comprehensive health insurance,
dental insurance and a 401(k) plan.
Please see the Benefits section of this web site for information
on the entire range of benefits that Triad offers.
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How
am I compensated? How often am I paid?
Triad’s
contractors are paid an hourly rate.
Prior to being considered for a job, you and your
recruiter will agree on the rate you will be paid.
Contractors
are paid according to hours worked.
Holidays and time off are not paid.
In many instances, contractors are eligible for
overtime (hours worked in excess of 40 in one week).
Your recruiter can address whether overtime is an
expected part of the job you are considering.
All
Triad employees are paid weekly.
Every Thursday, employees are paid for the
previous week. As
a convenience, you may elect to have your pay check
directly deposited into your bank account.
Please see the Benefits section of this web site
for more information.
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Can
I contract as a new graduate?
Most of our clients
prefer contractors who have professional experience;
however, some companies will consider new graduates with
relevant co-op experience.
The best course of action in determining your
options is to speak with your recruiter about your
specific experience and career goals.
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