What is contract programming, you ask? Well, when companies need specific computer programming expertise, for temporary periods of time, they generally hire a contract programmer or an employee of a consulting firm. Contractors almost always have a higher hourly wage than a salaried employee and are often paid for overtime. Contracts can last from one to three months to many years, depending on the situation. A contract programmer generally does one thing: program (code) for the duration of the contract. So, contract programming is just an area of computer consulting. Other areas of computer consulting include custom developers, network consultants and information technology (IT) consultants. The contract programmer can work via two forms of contracts: 1) "W-2 " contracts and 2) "1099" contracts.
There's the "W-2" contractor
The "W-2 contractor" receives the typical IRS W-2 form at tax time and works as a temporary employee of a contract broker or some form of employment agency. The contract broker basically acquires a contract with a client company and hires the contractor to work on that contract for them. Brokers make their money by charging the client an amount over your agreed upon hourly rate. In this form, the contract programmer is a temporary, hourly employee of the broker's company and this is the form that is easiest for the newcomer to obtain.
And the "1099" contractor
As a "W-2 contractor", your broker a.k.a.: temporary employer or agency will collect taxes from your paycheck, just as if you were a regular employee. The "1099 contractor", can still work through a broker, but gets paid on an IRS form 1099 and must take responsibility for paying all applicable taxes herself. This "1099" form is for, in IRS lingo, "Independent Contractors." Independent contractors have more work to do before they get a contract: they have to market themselves like any other business. This includes brochures, business cards, web sites, networking, etc. They have to consider obtaining more forms of insurance that may include general business liability and errors & omissions insurance. They also generally have to form a corporation in order to work for certain companies. The pay back for this extra work is a higher hourly rate. To the beginning contractor, I always suggest starting out as a "W-2" contract programmer because it is generally the quickest and easiest path to becoming a contract programmer and the best way to determine if contracting is the right career choice.
The "W-2" contractor is like a typical employee...almost
The main differences between a full-time employee and an hourly, contract employee working for a broker are, the contractor:
1) Will probably have to pay for his or her own health and disability insurance, which amounts to very little compared to the increased income one usually sees.
2) Generally gets paid top-dollar for his or her work. Many earn $100 or more per hour for 40+ hours a week.
3) Can take as much time off from work as he or she pleases, while in-between contracts.
4) Has independence from corporate politics.
5) Has the chance to live wherever she wants or live in different places as determined by the particular contract.
6) Is often seen as an expert in his or her field.
More work for "1099" contractor
These points apply to the "1099 contractor" as well, but the "1099" contractor has more work to do in filing taxes, corporate paperwork, advertising and searching for her next contract as opposed the "W-2 contractor," who basically makes a few calls to her favorite brokers and tells them she is ready for another contract and the brokers do the job-searching for her. Now, everything I've said thus far is pretty cut-and-dry, so let's take a look at a more elusive topic: what qualities make a good contract programmer.
Signs of a good contract programmer
Over the last decade, I have met and worked with many varied computer programmers. From this experience, I have devised the following list containing what I believe makes a good potential contractor programmer. A good contract programmer:
1) Makes computers an avid hobby of his. When he comes home from work he plays with or hacks the computer trying to improve its performance.
2) Tries to learn more about computers than his peers do and he also likes to program the computer to have it do "cool" things.
3) Has often dreamed of being an expert, high-paid computer professional.
4) Has learned how to master the art of studying computer science.
5) Spends his free time reading computer books and magazines - yes kind of geeky!
6) May like to build his own computer systems and enjoys tweaking and upgrading them to extract the most performance from them.
7) Is very professional and humble.
You've got to love to do it!
These really are just some of the basic qualities of someone who loves computers and loving computers is really the main ingredient for a successful career in contract programming. If you don't love doing it, you will not survive. If you do love it, it will be a joy to go to work every day and to continually update your skills. The computer field changes rapidly and only someone who really loves computers and makes it his hobby will have the desire to continually upgrade his skills and be the best he can be at all times. If you possess most of the seven qualities listed above and like the idea of using your hobby to catapult yourself into a high-paid, fulfilling career, even if the economy is down, you should consider a career in contract programming.
About The Author
Michael Nigohosian is the author of the award-winning and bestselling series, "The Secret Path to Contract Programming Riches" and instructor for the course "Introduction to Contract Programming". He is also director of Rapid Mastery Technology? at McGillis, Wilcox, Webster & Co., Inc.? http://www.mwwcorp.com
Are you looking for new writing work? It can be... Read More
Sooner or later, the interview invitation is going to say... Read More
Here's a continuation of my article from a few months... Read More
Are you one of the thousands of job seekers who... Read More
Résumé TipsSome basics about job hunting...First of all, nobody owes... Read More
Think like an employerTo be successful in your job search... Read More
Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More
The AIDA formula is as old as dirt. It was... Read More
As a job seeker, you shouldn't overlook the importance of... Read More
If only there were no questions involved in getting a... Read More
Today, everyone is looking for the secret to business success.... Read More
Applying for work is stressful, no matter the circumstances. Even... Read More
When it comes to modern career development, one thing we... Read More
The question confronting most people who want to find a... Read More
More companies are saving time and effort by doing initial... Read More
Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More
They say that most people do complete and total career... Read More
Resume Writing doesn't have to be a solo gigResume writing... Read More
Regardless of where you open your briefcase or palm pilot... Read More
Yes I know that we usually think of interviews as... Read More
One of the great myths associated with the "American Dream"... Read More
Maybe "buck" is better referred to as the Boss' Challenge.... Read More
Here's a list of the top 10 tips you can... Read More
Every great resume deserves a great cover letter.A cover letter... Read More
Why Lawyers Should Eat Bananas by Simon Tupman is a... Read More
Were you once a successful, professional woman who had a... Read More
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven... Read More
Salary negotiation requires preparation and good timing. It's important to... Read More
What is a Career Portfolio?The original portfolio used by artists... Read More
Need a great resume to land that great job coming... Read More
It is not realistic for HR Managers to believe that... Read More
Every May we celebrate Mother's Day-a time to tell mothers... Read More
Ever had that perfect life when everything seems perfect yet... Read More
Finding a job can be a painful and difficult experience.... Read More
For the person crafting their first résumé the task can... Read More
After creating the perfect resume, you then need to distribute... Read More
1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includes EVERYTHING your... Read More
Rick Jarow, author of Creating the Work You Love, introduced... Read More
Make sure that your resume is up to date with... Read More
How many people do you know who think they deserve... Read More
It takes a lot of time and effort to get... Read More
It's a fact: the best jobs attract loads of competition.... Read More
In many countries around the globe, people are born into... Read More
As you know by now, if you have been a... Read More
OK. You've posted your resume online. You've sent out a... Read More
Most jobs on farms in the UK involve picking strawberries... Read More
With today's economy, more and more companies are... Read More
The number one etiquette tip for interviews is writing a... Read More
Job-hunting is not the most exciting thing in the world... Read More
buWhy are so many people unhappy in their work situation?... Read More
Believe it: three obstacles will hold you back from your... Read More
Q. I hate my job as a computer consultant. I... Read More
Many people today have lost jobs after decades of service;... Read More
INTRODUCTIONThis article will prepare you for the difficult task of... Read More
Outsourcing has moved upward in the most-improved columns of efficiency... Read More
Meaningful work honors the deepest part of your being. It... Read More
Just about every month, there's a new research report detailing... Read More
Far too many people underestimate the importance of resume cover... Read More
It's Not What They Ask - The Hidden Agenda of... Read More
Two weeks ago, I received a newsy email from a... Read More
How would you know if your resume did or didn't... Read More
It is rumored that the only word William Shakespeare wrote... Read More
The subject is constantly in the news and may decide... Read More
Unemployment is depressing: financial pressures stress you out, looking for... Read More
The dreaded job interview is the Number 1 source of... Read More
The first point to make is that the terms "CV"... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |