Working full-time as a permanent employee doesn’t really need an introduction — we’re all very familiar with the widely spread 9 to 5 (or 6, or 7,…).
What may need an introduction and possibly a dedicated TED talk (ah! Jk) is working as a modern pirate or mercenary (minus the violence): I’m referring to the (oxymoron alert) one and onlies, tech contractors.
Tech contractors are usually specialists that went on becoming their own bosses, unshackled from having to work for someone else. Well, what is “unshackling” for some may be a full-on panic ride for others, so please bear with me while I type a praising blogpost about working as a contractor.
They’re frequently hired by companies on a fixed-term to help out with a specific project in which the in-house team may be in pickle with. This fixed-term can vary, going from a few weeks to a few months, to even a whole year. In fact, contractors can work for several clients at a time and have multiple simultaneously fixed-term contracts.
As time goes by, the way we work and perceive employment changes. Just twenty years ago working as a contractor wasn’t really a thing (at least not as common as it is today). The universal dream (perhaps more so in the west) was to have stability and security, which usually translated into working for the same company until retirement knocked on the door, and knowing exactly when and where the next paycheck was coming from. A lot of people still feel this way, and that’s totally fine.
But times do change, and especially with the rise of the internet and all things digital, the employment door was kicked open and showed us a bunch of other doors (and some windows) to choose from.
Traditional is no longer the *only* way to go, it’s just one of them. So, without further ado…
Can anyone be a contractor?
In theory, anyone that puts in the effort and has motivation can be a contractor. It surely suits some personality types better than others, so it’s a matter of assessing what you’re most comfortable with.
As a contractor, you’ll need to be able to coexist in harmony with risk. Even with referrals working in your favor, it’ll still be a more uncertain path than permanent employment. But don’t put your arms down just yet — this career path is completely doable and filled with thriving people!
You’ll also need to be comfortable with selling yourself, and doing it well — otherwise, it can get really hard to get clients, especially in the beginning where there’s still no word of mouth running around. Even if your work speaks for itself, which is ultimately the goal, it’s still paramount to have great communication skills (not only to sell yourself but also to connect with the team you’re about to join, to get on the same vibe as your client,…).
But, just as you’re selling yourself, remember that you’re also interviewing your potential clients. Do you want to work with this company, with this team? Are there any red flags?
Interviewing goes both ways and, when done right, can save a lot of hassle for both parties.
What’s the downside?
Naturally, working as a tech contractor has its cons — so let’s get this out of the way.
Being your own boss means that you have to be the one making sure that you have a safety net that guarantees vacations and sick leaves.
On top of that, it’s a good idea to build an extra financial cushion, just in case you’ll take a bit longer to find a new client (or if you want to take 3 months off). You’ll have to take all these things into consideration when negotiating your rates.
Last but not least, you’ll need to be a lot more in touch with taxes than permanent employees (and your rates should also take this into consideration, as well as all living expenses). The good news is that you can always hire someone to do this for you, if you can afford it.
Got it, now gimme the juice
Working as a contractor will give you a type of freedom that most permanent jobs won’t. You’ll be able to choose (if you’re not constrained by financial stresses) the projects you’ll be working on, aiming for the ones that speak closer to your heart and soul.
You’ll also be able to bring this freedom into your personal life — by being your own boss, you’ll have more control over your time and an all-around ownership over your life. If you ever wanted to pack your things and go three months to Thailand, being a contractor will certainly facilitate that way more than working as a full-time employer. Can you imagine telling your boss you’ll see her/they/him again in three months? *insert crying emoji*
You’ll be better paid than your full-time counterparts. Just to give you an example, in Portugal the average gross annual salary for tech professionals working as a permanent employee is 32.5k€, and 48k€ for contractors — and, if you choose to work for international clients/companies (which is another opportunity that comes with more ease as a contractor), this value goes up significantly. We deep dive into salary-related information here, feel free to hop in (please do!).
You won’t take part in office politics. If you ever worked in an office, I’m sure you understand this is a big one. This doesn’t mean you’re 100% immune to it, but you surely won’t have to spend a lot of time dealing with weird leadership and big egos (which, if I may add, can do wonders for one’s mental health). As a contractor you’re hired to do the job and that’s it, no muss no fuss!
If being a tech contractor spiked your curiosity and sounded like something that would fit you, wait no more — check our job openings and see if something tickles you the right way.
Also, take a look at the event we hosted last week regarding this topic of being your own boss! There are different testimonials from contractors, talking about the pros and cons, and you can watch the whole recording here. 👇
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