What's Right for You?

PEI understands that while some job seekers know exactly the type of employment they are seeking, there are many things all job seekers should consider when contemplating contract vs. employment. PEI offers both Contract and Employment opportunities, as well as Contract to Hire positions.  While it's always best to talk with a PEI representative that  understands a job seeker's individual needs, some general areas for consideration and definitions are below. 

Contract

Rather than being employed by a specific company, contractors are employees of a staffing agency (W2), or are employees of their own businesses, which are either Corporations (IC) or sole-proprietorships (1099). This allows contractors the flexibility to work with multiple companies, without changing employers or benefits plans. Contractors are also referred to as consultants because they are often utilized by companies for their very specific knowledge and expertise for a specified duration.  Contract positions are considered a higher risk than employment positions, and can be terminated by PEI or PEI's clients with less notification than traditional employers.

PEI's contract-only positions typically require 3 or more years of paid experience, but can vary widely. PEI representatives monitor contracts throughout the entire contract period to best avoid "surprises" along the way.  This "hands-on" approach was designed to ensure the best possible experience for both contractor and client. With a 30-day proactive lead time on contract expirations, PEI will work closely with both client and contractor to negotiate an extension, or attempt to locate a new contract assignment with no "down time" for the PEI contractor. 

Employment

Job seekers who are looking for stability, or a career that offers room for advancement,  will likely want to talk with PEI about Employment opportunities. PEI offers employment positions with a variety of employers, including dot-com start-ups to Fortune 500 giants. While job seekers would become direct employees of PEI's clients, PEI will provide detailed information about its clients to job seekers, including benefits programs and corporate culture in addition to technical environment.  Through its association with team members and hiring managers, PEI can oftentimes provide job seekers more information than job seekers who approach the client direct. Talking to your PEI representative can truly help create the best employee/employer relationships.  

Contract to Hire

Often called "trial based hiring", Contract to Hire positions start out as a normal contract and can be converted into direct Employment after a specific time period. PEI's standard contract to hire duration is 6 months, but can change to meet the needs of all parties. Contract to Hire should be considered by job seekers who wish to evaluate a potential employer before committing to an employment relationship, or contractors new to employment who wish to "ease" into settling down. 

Highlights: Contract vs. Employment

Following are some common points to consider when faced with making a decision on contract vs. employment: