Let’s compare the benefits and advantages between contract and permanent jobs to help you decide.

3 pros of a contract job

1. acquire new skills and build your network

When you work with a new employer, you get the opportunity to do new work which may require new skills. Contract work also often includes projects that need a specific skill set. For example, a HR professional will need to use data to restructure compensation and company benefits programmes to accurately compensate sales staff for their contributions from both offline and online channels. Some companies in Hong Kong even offer training to help contract workers acquire new skills or deepen their capabilities.

You will also get to connect and collaborate with new people every time you join a company, which gives you the opportunity to expand your professional network. Being a contract worker is a fast way to become an expert in your field, simply by virtue of working on a variety of projects across a number of different organisations.

Bajaj adds, “Some employers prefer to hire workers who have a variety of working experience with different companies and systems, as they are knowledgeable and efficient in identifying and resolving issues. These experts also have an outside-in approach to problem solving, which could give the company an advantage in improving their process frameworks and systems to be more productive and efficient.”

2. flexibility to build your professional portfolio

As a contract professional, you have the freedom to choose which employer and projects you want to work on.

Some middle-aged professionals left their permanent positions in multinational firms to start a career in contracting. They reportedly found their new career to be highly rewarding, as they can take on lucrative and interesting projects from both SMEs and large corporations. As a contract worker, they are also not bound to a single company, and can choose to work on the projects they like and which suit their capabilities – choices that they would not be able to make if they were still in a permanent role.

3. better job security in adversity

Contrary to popular beliefs, contract professionals may actually enjoy better job security than permanent staff these days. When a company goes through business restructuring, it is not uncommon for employers to retrench or change the job scope of a permanent staff, rather than a contractor who is due to leave in a few months' time.

Contractors usually sign six-month to two-year employment contracts, which secures them a job during that period. Because of their wide professional network, many contract workers often receive job offers and are able to secure their next gig before their current employment ends.

A local Redditor testified about the job security of contract work, “I’ve worked for 5 different companies over 15 years in Singapore. The main difference was that in a contract role I was paid more than what I would have received in a permanent job. Every contract I was ever on was extended.”

pros of permanent jobs

1. access to more employee benefits

Permanent staff enjoy employee benefits that contract workers are often not entitled to. Permanent workers typically get more benefits as they are likely to grow in the same organisation towards more senior positions. Hence, their benefits would include health packages to ensure that they remain healthy and abled as they continue to stay and work in the company.

Other employee benefits a permanent staff would be entitled to include insurance, retirement packages, paid leaves and training opportunities.

2. easy-to-follow career path

It is more straightforward for a permanent staff to be promoted in the same company. Every position has a growth track, and permanent employees have clarity on goals and KPIs to meet to move to the next level. With a deep understanding of the organisation structure and commercial operations, tenured professionals are seen to have better growth opportunities and more likely to be groomed for leadership and management positions.

Contractors, on the other hand, can only negotiate for a higher title and salary when they change employers.

3. no need to worry about approval of credit loans

Financial institutions need bank records as proof of documents of a stable income. Therefore, it is easier for permanent employees to get credit lines or loans from a financial institution, especially if they have already worked for 12 months prior.

Brian Gammey, who started working for Nissan as a contractor in the US, struggled to get a loan while he was in his contract job. “Even if you want to get a home loan, the bank looks at it and says, “Oh, well, you work for Yates Services. You’re a temporary employee. When are you going to get a real job?”

so, which is better for your growth?

When thinking about your career, it’s always good to weigh the contrasting benefits between a contract job and a permanent one.

Bajaj said, “People tend to accept a contract role as a fresh graduate to gain some working experience, or when they are thinking about taking a step back from work to care for their family or their own health. However, the opportunity to work in a contract role is always there. It also gives you the opportunity to trial new technologies and work in a new environment, to help you decide what type of culture and employer suits you best. If you like dealing with new challenges, then perhaps a career in contracting is more suited for you.”

If you are looking for a new challenge in your career and a contract offer that meets your job aspirations with a highly-attractive employer comes along, we’d say go for it. Who knows, if you perform beyond expectations in the role, you could even get converted to a permanent staff or other more exciting career opportunities.

Check out for the latest contract jobs in Hong Kong that are available right now.

note - some quotes and excerpts have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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