When Contract Gig Is An Answer

Joyce Lain Kennedy

Career Q & A

June 15, 2012


DEAR JOYCE: I have been through 14 job interviews in the last six months and none resulted in a job. What am I doing wrong? -- C.H.

DEAR C.H. -- Maybe nothing or maybe one big flub or maybe a lot of little things. Countless things can go south in an interview. Here's an update of an earlier popular answer.

Even when you ace it, you may not hear back for a litany of reasons ranging from a company's change of mind about filling the position domestically or squabbles over to which manager the position will report, to company budget quakes or sudden hostile take-over threats. Or the economy isn't buying what you're selling.

Fourteen misses does suggest you could use a tune-up on your interviewing performance, references or credit checks and background reports. Or you may need to re-evaluate your direction in the level of job you're going after.

LOOK FOR SIDE DOOR. One classic move for job seekers who are having trouble going through employment's front door is checking around for a side entrance. Offer to do a long audition for up to three months as a contract worker -- that is, a temp with no benefits.

Should you offer a bargain price? If you sense that doing so will hasten acceptance of your offer, propose a 10 percent discount during the try-out period.

When you sense interest in your proposal, follow up very quickly with a brief letter of agreement spelling out the short-term commitment. The letter need not be legally elegant, just clear in purpose.

After moving from outsider to insider, expect to work your tail off to show that you're too good not to be hired as an employee on a regular status basis.

The contractor workforce continues to gain ground, primarily because employers -- seeking to reduce risk and boost profits -- want to arm themselves with the ability to respond quickly to changing economic conditions and not be burdened with long-term promises to "permanent" employees.

USE DUE DILIGENCE. When you've never worked as an independent contractor (who receives the federal tax form 1099 for the self-employed) or as a contract worker (who receives the federal tax form W-2 for working on a direct contract basis for an employer, or on an assignment by a staffing company for a client employer), get up to speed on your options and the implications for your taxes and career. Start with the following resources:

-- Solo W-2 ( is a firm offering W-2 employment, payroll processing and group employee benefits and more.

-- Nolo ( is a respected do-it-yourself publisher of legal books and software. Search the site for "contractors."

-- Search for "Turn a Job Interview into a Contract," a 2003 article by David Southgate. This and similar online posts often relate to establishing a lifestyle of contract work for technical workers, rather than contracting as a springboard to permanent employment for all types of workers.

CONTRACTOR BENEFITS. Many people "work contract" by choice, citing the attraction of flexibility and time to chase after non-work interests.

Additionally, contracting is a way to get back into the job market, grow a network of useful contacts, acquire and upgrade skills through a variety of assignments, avoid office politics and pep up your life with change.

At first glance, contracting usually pays more than regular status employment. As to whether the pay is, in the final analysis, better than comparable work at a full-time job, sharpen your pencil. The issue becomes complex when all expenses are considered.

But when you need employment and nothing seems to be moving forward as you hoped, making a deal for a three-month tryout as a contract worker is a viable option to consider.