What if you had a technology expert at your fingertips that could bring you in as part of an IT “hit squad” when a company needed help? That’s the power of IT contract work. This type of work is sometimes maligned because of misconceptions around older contract models. Instead, IT contract help is more modern, sophisticated, and effective than you might think. Not only that, the contract developer, project manager, or other IT worker is the new norm in organizations from start-ups to enterprise organizations.
Here are some common misconceptions balanced against the reality of today’s IT contract professional.
Myth #1 – Contractors are not part of the team
Contracting in the IT world has become so normal that TechCrunch predicted, “In the future, employees won’t exist.” That was three years ago and since then the number of contract workers in all technology categories from developers to project managers has increased. Last year at Google it was the first time that contract workers outpaced full-time employees in the company.
Contracting is now so mainstream that most companies typically have a high volume of contract technology workers. While it may seem like there would be a corresponding drop in production because these workers don’t have skin in the game, this is simply not the case. This is exactly why smart companies leverage the cost savings that contract workers bring while not suffering any ill effects from an “us versus them” cultural shift.
It’s clear today that contract workers are simply workers and their fit in a company as part of the team is now the norm – not the anomaly.
Myth #2 – Contractors have a negative connotation
Two decades ago there may have been a stigma around hiring contract workers but certainly not anymore. It’s a standard part of today’s hiring paradigm, particularly for higher in-demand roles.
You’ve probably heard a lot about the global growth of freelancers. There is a whole stable workforce in the IT space that enjoys the contracting or freelance lifestyle for the freedom that these positions afford. Contrary to causing reputational damage, these workers are reputation builders in the market. For example, if a company brings in a contract developer for a project, at the end of the work they will likely go on to another company. They will take their positive experiences at the company and share them with others. It’s a ripple effect that can have the opposite effect by building a good reputation with every contract worker they bring on board.
Myth #3 – Working on a contract will hurt your chances at a full-time opportunity
Again, this is the opposite of the myth. Contract workers have the benefit of experiencing a variety of work situations, projects, and challenges that grow their skills incredibly quickly. This is one of the benefits of contract work for IT candidates. Working with new teams, experiencing new cultures, and keeping their stack modern are all the reasons developers and other IT workers deliberately choose these positions. All of the experiences contractors gain during these unique, short-term projects provide valuable talking points for the next interview. A contractor will be left with more to discuss with an employer than another candidate who has been working full-time at the same company for some time, giving them the upper hand at landing the job.
Talk to Blackstone to explore the benefits of temporary IT work. We can help you find the right opportunity.