How do job "contracts" work with head-hunters/recruiters? | FerrariChat
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How do job "contracts" work with head-hunters/recruiters?

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by zippyslug31, Jul 14, 2011.

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  1. zippyslug31

    zippyslug31 Formula 3

    Sep 28, 2007
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    #1 zippyslug31, Jul 14, 2011
    So I'm in talks with a few job recruiters. Some are "contract" positions.
    When I think of a "contract" I think of a binding, legal document. Maybe I'm taking the term "contract" too literally?

    So, question:
    If I take a contract position and the job sucks, am I free to walk away from it like any other job and then doesn't this put a big burden on the recruiting company... aren't they "contractually obligated" to have a person working at said company?
    Or by taking the job have I just bound myself there until the expiration of the contract?

    I don't want to hang a recruiter out to dry, but also don't want to be (legally?) stuck at an even worse job than the one I'm at now.

    And, FWIW, I'm not an s-corp and would take only "W2 contracts" or "contract-to-hire" positions.
     
  2. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
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    Missouri
    #2 tundraphile, Jul 14, 2011
    I would think the recruiter could explain it to you. They would have template contracts and you could go over one with them without expressing concerns that the job may be terrible or you might bail after two months.

    Instead, it could just look like you are making sure everything is covered for their sake.
     
  3. bounty

    bounty F1 Veteran

    Feb 18, 2006
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    San Diego, CA
    #3 bounty, Jul 14, 2011
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2011
    I'm an independent contractor...so intimately familiar with all of this.

    Read this:
    http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=463647

    If you still have questions, just let me know.

    Personally, I stay away from W-2 jobs and try to get either independent contracts or sub-contracts. Sure, I pay my own insurance and taxes are a lot more complex with my own business - but I can also deduct my expenses. But some people love the W-2 option and wouldn't want to be bothered with being independent.

    I personally love the contractor lifestyle and would only go back to a full time position if I knew the compensation would be far superior to what I'm making now. I say far superior because right now I can work 8 months out of the year and make almost double what I would in a given year as a full time employee.

    I'm also not committed to a company. Good or bad - their politics, rules, and performance doesn't affect me...I walk away after I do my job.
     
  4. zippyslug31

    zippyslug31 Formula 3

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    #4 zippyslug31, Jul 14, 2011
    Not a bad idea. I certainly don't want to ask "so, if I hate this job you found me, can I quit?". ;)

    I just want to know if I would be contractually bound to the position.... just in case.
    I have no reason to believe their jobs are worse than any other, but I do want to know what I might be getting myself into.
     
  5. zippyslug31

    zippyslug31 Formula 3

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    #5 zippyslug31, Jul 14, 2011
    Thanks for the details. I've known (roughly) what the differences were RE taxes, but not about my questions.

    You certainly make it sound appealing but in my field (software dev) seems there are FAR fewer position avail. Almost seems the recruiters I've dealt with don't want "to go there". I'm really just trying to find a nice, permanent "work home"... but 4 months off/year sure does sound nice. :D

    If I start to find myself only in temp/contract positions, I'll give the s-corp stuff some additional thought.
     
  6. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
    5,083
    Missouri
    #6 tundraphile, Jul 14, 2011
    I was an independent contractor doing engineering design while I was in grad school. I made more (and kept most of it because of the additional deductions) durng grad school than I do now. But it wasn't sustainable in my case so I found a better full-time job after graduating.

    I mostly worked for the same company where I was employed before quitting to go back to school. they moaned about paying $50k/year for a full time position but had no problem with 50 hrs/week @$40/hr to a contractor. Made no sense really, the benefits of full time weren't good at all.
     

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