You’ll often hear us recommend opening your career search up to contract, project-based, maternity coverage or temporary work. While these types of positions don’t carry all the traditional benefits of full time work, we think short-term and contract positions like these can be a great way to:
Interviewing for contract work is very similar to other types of job interviews, with some important distinctions. Because the work is temporary, the long-term goals of the position are different. These roles are filling a very specific, limited time need both for you and the employer. As always, it’s important to remember that you are evaluating the opportunity during the interview just as much as the employer is evaluating you as a candidate.
If this is your first time considering a short-term or project-based position, there are some important factors to consider. Some contract positions are extremely flexible without set hours and you can complete work at your own pace. Others, like maternity leave coverage or project-based work that includes a high level of collaboration, may require set hours and meetings, either in-person or virtual.
Another important factor to consider when you are deciding if a short-term role is right for you is the tax status you will be working under. When you are a full-time employee, your employer withholds certain federal and state taxes and reports those to the IRS.
When you are hired as an independent contractor, you are wholly responsible for the taxes you owe on your income. While your take-home pay may be higher at first, you will likely owe more in taxes at the end of the year than if an employer was withholding on your behalf.
Get an introduction to the basics of freelance, contract and project-based work to help you decide if it’s the right career path for you.
Even though the role you are interviewing for is temporary, maybe even just a single project or deliverable, it’s important to treat it professionally. Prepare for your interview by practicing your answers to common interview questions and be prepared to ask some of your own.
It’s also extremely likely that you will be asked to share samples of your previous work. Because this role is temporary, the company wants to match with a candidate who can hit the ground running and has proven results.
Even though this role is short term, the way you present yourself and answer the interviewer’s questions are just as important as during a full-time interview.
Get prepared for your interview:
📱 How to prepare for a phone interview
Contract positions come in all shapes and sizes. As you consider a contract position, keep these questions in mind:
If this is your first time considering a contract role, it can be confusing to know what rate you should charge a client. As you determine your ideal salary range for a contract position (remember, you’ll be responsible for your own taxes and your own benefits), ask yourself:
💡 Don’t hesitate to reach out to your network for advice. You can ask if anyone has hired a contractor and what they were paid, or if anyone has been hired as a contractor and if their rate was in line with the role you’re evaluating.
Once you’re offered the role, be prepared to draft a simple agreement if the company doesn’t provide a contract that clearly states the terms of the project. Be sure you have your offer details in writing (email works!), especially if the company hasn’t provided you with a contract.
Some employers may ask you to audition for a contract role. This could mean completing a sample project or assignment. This may be an evaluation like a quiz to assess your competency with a specific skill or program, or it may be a piece of work (like an article if you’re a freelance writer) that will actually be used by the company.
Before accepting this type of evaluation, consider the value of your time. If it’s a simple quiz-style evaluation and you’re not actually producing work for the company, you may decide it’s worth it. But, if you’re being asked to produce work that a company would typically pay an employee to complete, beware of doing this for free. Sometimes, unscrupulous companies use this tactic to gather work they’ll later use to their own benefit without fairly compensating you for your time.
One of the pet peeves recruiters face when interviewing independent contractors for temporary positions is candidates who focus exclusively on moving to a full time role. While temporary roles can be a great launchpad to a full time opportunity within a company, it’s also a touchy topic to explore.
If you’re interested in something more permanent, it’s important to make that known. However, in the beginning, actions speak louder than words. If you’re enjoying your work with this company and would like to make the leap to something more permanent, here’s what you can do.
Even though it’s short-term, don’t count out contract work in your job search. Temporary work can be a great way to jump start your career search, especially if you have the flexibility to take on a small project while you’re currently employed or if you can use a new opportunity as a launchpad away from your current role. Project-based work is an excellent way to build your resume and add or enhance key skills and experiences you may need in the future of your career.
Moms bring a wide variety of strengths to the table. Join The Mom Project to get access to job opportunities from family-friendly employers and learn how to communicate your strengths clearly and confidently.