Being an independent contractor has many benefits, both personally and for your career. You can build the experience you want to build, live your working life the way you want, and fulfill any entrepreneurial dreams you may have for a work setup that performs better for you.
If you’re debating this industry, then here are 7 top reasons why you might want to become a contractor.
1. You Can Be Your Own Boss
This is one idea that many people aspire to and allows for the freedom and control that many business professionals strive for. As a contractor, you can be in charge of what you do and don’t want to do and how you want to work.
2. It Allows You to Have a More Flexible Working Pattern
Part of being your own boss also means that you can create a working pattern that works for you. You can move jobs around, choose jobs based on their location, time, or flexibility, and make yourself a working routine that fits completely with your own schedule.
3. You Have More Control Over Your Work-Life Balance
A flexible working pattern, in turn, allows for a much healthier and happier work-life balance. You can pick and choose contracting jobs based on the spare time you have available, any personal plans you may have, or simply the times of the day you would like to start and finish. This not only benefits your professional contracting business but your personal life, too.
4. Be More In Control of Your Income and Finances
You’re working hard to earn money, after all, but when you’re employed by another company, your wage may be capped without future prospects, or maybe you’re not making as much as you would like. Contracting means you have more opportunities to earn as much as you would like and take on extra jobs when needed. You can then have more autonomy over your general outgoings and financial situation.
Of course, protecting your finances as a contractor is always key. If you are working in an industry like this, then you need to make sure that you are protecting your assets, especially when there’s potential for a lot to go wrong or be disputed by clients. That’s why taking out general contractor’s liability insurance will be crucial and help you to protect your tools and trade in all-important ways.
5. You Can Follow Your Passion
Perhaps this industry is something you’ve longed for and want to explore, and contracting allows you to follow your passion, both in entrepreneurial efforts and working as a contractor. You can explore your career aspirations and try out contracting work that fits with your hopes and dreams.
6. You Can Plan Better for the Long-Term
Being more in control of the work you take on, your working routine, and your financial situation means you can better plan for the future. You’ll know exactly which jobs are coming in, how much income you’ll have, and what future working plans are, rather than working for another company whose future may be undecided.
7. Escape an Office-Bound Routine
Another reason many professionals might consider life as a contractor is to get on the road and having a working routine that sees them physically moving and working on-site. This can depend on the type of work you’re doing, but many contractors can escape a set working-in-one-place at a desk by heading out to different contracts instead. This can create a healthier and more exciting routine for those looking for something a little different.