Why I Prefer to be a Contractor vs FTE (I.T. and Cybersecurity)

[@JoshMadakor]

🔒 Josh's Hands-On Cybersecurity Course + Internship 🔒 joshmadakor.tech/cyber

[@air_aromatic]

The captions are really annoying. My eyes straight goes to read captions. Please use youtube captions and remove from your video, it will be more inclusive

[@sjames831]

I completely agree with this. Years ago, I used to think that being a full-time employee (FTE) was the best option. However, after working as a full-time contractor in IT and Cybersecurity over the past few years, I've come to love it. I have more control over my schedule, work in different environments, and do a lot of remote work. Depending on my schedule, I can even take on 1-2 contracts at a time. I've also started my own business based on these contracts, so now I have extremely flexible work arrangements. This is now my preferred way of working. Great video!

[@aimbotherro007]

I am a Cybersecurity how do i go from FTE to contractor, what websites are helpful?

[@abnermagana]

Well said Josh! It’s basically what I did. Was laid off in early 2022 as a security administrator due to the company not doing well. Then started a contract position at a local hospital near me and as well as moved to another contract with another local hospital too, and they hired me as a full time position as an IT Analyst! Now the job is paying for my school and I just finished my bachelors in IT with cybersecurity and aiming for my Masters!

[@atlantapreneur]

I 100% agree. All jobs are temporary, whether you know it or not. You might as well understand you project start and stop date rather than being caught off-guard.

[@JoshMadakor]

Well said, FTE is an illusion lol. It's funny because it's way easier to get hired as a contractor. The last job, I wasn't even interviewed because they knew me and it was "just" a contract 😂

[@MattTramel-o7p]

There are some good insights in this video but I would recommend contract work as a temporary solution while looking for FTE roles. Contractors don't get the same benefits as FTE while also usually being the first to be let go in a lay-off. My previous role was as a contractor and while I was among the top performers in the team I worked in, I was still let go after a buy out while less competent FTE kept their jobs. It's easier and better PR for a company to let go of contractors than laying off FTE.

[@m255]

Thanks for making this video! I've recently went back to contract work after being a FTE for 5 years and i've been feeling very insecure about it. I guess i, like many others, have convinced myself that FTE work is more "secure" than a contracting role and that security and stability is what i'm looking for at the moment. You're right that getting a contract role is easier and you tend to have less responsibilities and aren't micromanaged. It's been a double-edge sword for me though. I don't like a manager breathing down my neck but the one i currently have doesn't do 1:1 meetings or check in with me and that feeds into my fears of contract work not being secure. It's odd i'm feeling this way now as my previous contractor role in 2017 was very similar yet i was completely fine and didn't have this level of anxiety.

[@robd9049]

I got tired of being out of work for two and three months at a time. FTE all the way.

[@sia3206]

@robd9049 for me the break is the best part (assuming I'm financially prepared). That, and having "my contract ended" as the reason for switching jobs / job hoping

[@shafialanower3820]

@@sia3206and you can maybe do like a part time job while looking for another contract role

[@isis3319]

Its not for everyone. Some people get anxious that they might not be able to find another contract in a timely manner and not be able to pay the rent/mortgage. But I actually prefer it. I purposely take a 3 month break in between contracts (sometimes even 6 months) to pursue my hobbies (old and new) or travel. It majorly helps my mental health. Because, when commuting to/from work every day, dealing with the same people, the same office politics, the same train delays etc, life starts to feel mundane and meaningless. I appreciate those breaks that can last for months on end.

[@SS-hz4jo]

❤❤❤ contract work is only good for getting beginning experience or if you get paid well above what you need in mid and senior careers. Protect the image of your resume by avoiding short term stints.

[@old_al]

I switched from being a contractor for 4 years to an FTE role with great benefits, etc. Needless to say, I'm miserable and will be going back to contracting soon.

[@Bdavis2475]

Why? I've always been an employee and like it way better

[@shoot210]

Why?

[@aimbotherro007]

How to start i have a DoD clearance, do you need a LLC to start?

[@na_k]

I appreciate this video, Josh. Hadn't seriously thought about contract work, as I'm always concerned about health insurance and retirement benefits. But I do enjoy working in a lot of different environments.

[@dav1d_andrew]

Glad I found your channel. Disabled veteran who is getting into the field

[@nordythenorthman]

Most contracting work is geared more towards those with years of work experience, those who can hit the ground running. Companies normally look for a subject matter expert of a skill set that they do not have. Entry level contracting work opportunities are rare. Companies likely won’t have a team to show that inexperienced person the ropes.

[@FelixZolko]

solid advice, i threw away a couple opps of being a contractor for FTE, and FTE was never worth it, especially if you're the more nomadic type. firstly, office politics. i felt contractors i observed dealt with less of it. i sucked at office politics *perhaps a video for you to do?!*. secondly, the idea of FTE being more 'stable' is ludicrous. in the past 8-10 years, 2 of 4 my FTE jobs i was laid off or position outsourced. lastly, many IT environments suck ass in terms of office politics and managers. by contractor, you know you have an end date. with FTE you can feel trapped easily.

[@theforeignnational]

Just out of curiosity, did you have access to the same benefits as a contractor that a FTE usually gets: healthcare, ability to contribute to a retirement plan, paid time off, bonus eligibility, etc.? I used to work in federal government (not tech) and would often browse the contractor roles. The benefits were awful, if there were any listed, and not at all comparable to that of a FTE. Just wondering if that could be a factor as to why most people go for FTE and not contract roles.

[@atlantapreneur]

I will always choose Contracting over FTE, with all things being equal. Every job is a contract, regradless of how you hired. At least in contracting, you know where you stand. It's not for everyone, because you would need more business prowess. Also, I feel contracting removes some of the ageism stigmas. When a company hires a contractor, they usually have an immediate need to get a specific project completed. Also, in my experience, the contracting interview processs, is way less intensive.

[@JoshMadakor]

"Every job is a contract, regradless of how you hired." This is hilarious and is the absolute truth. Well said, lmao. Everything you said is completely accurate, I feel like I want to make a video about it lol. Thank you

[@ghassenelloumi3086]

Sir You are awesome. Thank you very much Mr Josh. 💙

[@Happylife045]

First to comment 🎉. Thank you Josh for always giving us good content

[@reinen9006]

I can’t do 6 months work and then no job for months until another comes around, that’s just me tho, I got bills 😂

[@ememudobong6604]

great video, great information.

[@AtizaJuanita]

Contracting all the way. Coming from someone who made it all the way into a Lead Engineer at big Enterprise as a FTE. You're still an object they'll dispose of whenever they want. Same with contracting if you're working for an agency. You need to be your own boss and work directly with clients. 1099 always, never do W2. That will shift your mindset from employee to employer

[@ADE528]

Great message

[@jonjmorganshow]

My biggest complaint with contract is many times no PTO, but also the overall comp is typically less. So you may get your own insurance, but you miss out on 401k match etc.. sure you can negotiate; but they are looking to cut expenses by contracting

[@hundredlives3910]

When im fired from a FTE job I get unemployment and a potentially severance. Contract you get nothing and are likely to be out of a job with no income for a few months.

[@sia3206]

Actually as a contractor if you are W2, your agency pays you unemployment from the contract ending. Unless they put you on another one

[@hardlessons9732]

And what if they chose not to renew the contract?

[@sia3206]

@hundredlives3910 That's what I mean. You didn't quit. So reason for unemployment is that your job ended. (When you quit, you don't get unemployment. When you are fired you do).

[@superplusextra9634]

Disagree and depends. I was on a 6 month contract and ended 2 months early. Same agency when I was informed it was ending. Called me the same day 3 hours later already ready to offer next assignment. I was on unemployment for about 1 months 1/2 ( During December too 😂 so vacation). Til my next assignment started. So depends on what type of contracted work you pick up.

[@jonjmorganshow]

Most contracts are through staffing agencies and you get unemployment .. unless you are a 1099 you should be good

[@craigspencer4306]

Thank you for this

[@rwxrw]

🙏🏻 best channel

[@Bdantioch]

Love your video man, contracting is helpful and has it's place but you didn't mention that it's not a long term solution. Note that you are no longer doing IT contracting.

[@jaylaflare7354]

Would you recommend going W2 or C2C for contracts?

[@KiingBlizz]

Where do you look for contract work?

[@beyonderaatrox1670]

Hey Josh! Thanks for the great vid my 🐐. Do you have any recommendations on Minimum or Maximum contract lengths? Ive done a few 4 and 6 month contracts before but felt they were a bit too short for me to be content with doing them over and over.

[@nathanmahoney-sw2lh]

Contract Work is great when you cant get a 9-5, but now i cant get contract work nor FTE. by the way, if you've done multiploe contract jobs, how would one put that on a resume ?

[@Chairmanmau]

Great vid, any tips for finding contract work, doing taxes as a contractor etc

[@JailenRamone]

A good middle ground would be to work for an MSP

[@JohnCutter317]

I've always resisted contract work because I assume it's chaotic

[@414-Devo]

Would you be open to doing video calls?Talking with clients and have a road plan or next step of action towards their goal.Maybe look over resume of tell them where to fill knowledge gaps?

[@seanmcclendon-f5e]

What is your biggest advice on not only obtaining a contract but also getting quality ones and how differentiate them from bad ones.

[@ricardogallegos6722]

I've worked as an employee all my life. Never got a degree. Currently have no active certs, but I'm a senior network engineer. How do I move to becoming a contract worker? I don't have a background like yours.

[@darkprague1334]

Great info. But will u get hired as a contractor right out of school? It sounds like u have to have the skills and experience already, which many of us who took the cybersecurity college paths offered won't always have.

[@DeeTvNetwork]

I have no exp recently graduated from a technical school from a 9 month program & will be starting a contracted job for Help Desk in a hospital’s corporate office . So it’s certainly possible !

[@darkprague1334]

@@DeeTvNetwork Congrats! I'm just worried from always hearing that cyber jobs may not be as easily obtainable.

[@DeeTvNetwork]

@@darkprague1334 Thanks ! I understand the job market is scary for Cybersecurity ! Good luck on your hunt .

[@Cyber.Panda.]

@@DeeTvNetwork Any idea if they will do training on the job or this something you hit the ground running?

[@divonnea83]

Where do you find the contract work?

[@techlaland]

Josh, I was hoping you would cover the salary distinction of being an FTE vs a contractor in this video but I suppose I will ask here. FTE are capped at a value of let's say $132,000.00 for the whole year, but Contractors salaries can vary depending on the length of the contract, whether it's 6 months or a year. Do you think the Contractor has more of a advantage from a salary perspective than an FTE? For example if a contractor get's a job that is 6 months making $100,000 and then they pick up another job for another 6 months making another $100,000.00. So incomparison the FTE making $132,000 for the whole year is essentially poorer then the Contractor making $200,000.00 assuming they don't get fire and are rockstars at their job. What are your thoughts on this perspective?

[@VanessaTorian]

Hey Josh, I have no IT experience and I’m about to get my bachelors at WGU in cyber security and information assurance. Are contractor jobs a good option for someone like me with no experience?

[@Thiccolo]

I have more concerns on taxes and retirement benefits.