I'm a trained Solidworks designer - mechanically based. I'm looking to contract out my services until I find a full time job. As an onsite contrator do you have to go through a contracting firm or can you just go in to a company and just work as a "contractor"? I'd hate to have to pay a cut to a firm when I could handle the tax stuff myelf - anyone have any input on this?
I think the answer depends on what kind of opportunity you find. The advantage of going through a contracting firm is that they are well connected. That means that they have credibility with the company looking for resources. And since the company contacts them they know who needs help. Also, I think many companies do not want the overhead of recruiting / managing contract help. They would rather have a firm handle those details. But I'm sure if you find a company willing to work with you directly you can do it. It may not be so easy to find.
Regards,
- Luther
I would agree that a rep may have contacts that you wouldn't ordinarily find. It's kind of like going through a headhunter to find a new job. If you require their services, you pay them for their knowledge & connections, which might get you a better job than you could find on your own. But, you are not "required" to go through anyone - a company can pay you as a contractor straight up.
WT
I know some guys that do contract work for a living, not an easy life!
You do not have to go through a contracting firm. It CAN help to get jobs if you do not have any certifications...but that is a marketing issue.
How does a company know to trust you and your designs? Portfolio? Recommendations? Degree?
It's tough sometimes because it feels like half your energy is spent marketing yourself. For some that is easy but for must SW guys, they'd rather be designing than promoting themselves.
If you are lucky, a contractor will find work 50% of the time out of the year. That's one reason they get paid double in relation to an employee at the same skill level.
Best of luck!!
The law is not on your side.
If you work full time for a single company, you are an employee and not a contractor in the eyes of the government. Most companies are aware of this and will not hire freelance contractors for full-time, long-term work. That is one reason most companies need to go through contract firms.
If you are incorporated and can show you derive significant income from other clients (or at least intend to and have potential to), then you are eligible as an independent contractor.
apart from the issues about finding a client.. being an outside contractor is pretty simple... you work the hours... invoice them for the hours ... they pay the invoice. They probably will mail you a 1099 for all the $$ they paid to you (in January). You do a Schedule C based on the gross $$, expenses, etc (assuming you are in USA). The only tricky stuff about the expense side is understanding the limits of what you can expense on travel, etc. Any tax guy can fill you in on that part of it. The technicalities about whether you are fulltime onsite, etc are the client's problem, and it sounds like your plans are somewhat transient anyway.
bill
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