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Frequently asked questions about being a contractor vs. permanent employee:
(Note: Links are all on this page and can also be reached by scrolling)
How much can I expect to make?
That depends. Pay rates vary substantially, client-to-client, role-to-role and depending on your skills and experience.
Am I guaranteed work?
California is a work-at-will state, which means an employer can lay-off a permanent employee or
a contracted employee at will; and conversely an employee or contractor can walk-out at will.
Typically though either party will give the other party fair notice. Keep in mind there is never any guarantee in life!
What happens when my contract ends?
A few weeks before your contract is to expire, we will contact you and your supervisor to discuss
a contract extension and possible raise (if warranted). If your contract is not open for extension,
or if you wish to try something new, we will start the search process for you!
Why do I have to sign a contract?
The contract discusses things like the need for confidentiality, the fact that you're paid straight
time, (vs. salaried) and your overtime status. If also mentions the California Work-At-Will stuff
and the need for keeping our client's proprietary information confidential. Last it states your rate of pay and the target start and end date.
What kind of benefits will I get?
If you are a W2 employee of Persona, which is the norm, you will be eligible to participate in our
401K retirement plan, administered through Charles Schwab. Additionally you may purchase
medical, dental and life insurance through Blue Cross, Blue Shield or Pacific Care, and disability
insurance through Guardian Life or New England Financial. These payments can be deducted
pre-tax from your bi-monthly paycheck. We also offer technical training discounts and beyondwork.com benefits. See our Benefits section.
Will I get paid between jobs?
Because you are paid for each hour worked and are not salaried, you will not get paid for time off
between jobs. However, contractor wages are usually higher than salaried wages on an hourly
basis and you get paid for each hour worked, ie weekends and evenings. Also, the "risk"
associated with contracting is compensated through the higher hourly wages.
What is the process to get a contract job?
Once we receive your resume, we start to match your skills and experience to jobs in our
database. At this time we also conduct your reference checks. We will keep in touch with you
during this time to let you know status. Once we find a job that matches we will contact you and
then if you approve, we will submit your resume. If nothing matches at this time, we will contact
you later down the road when something comes up. If you end up taking another job in the
meantime, we ask that you stay in touch so we can work with you in the future!
How do I know if I have enough experience to be a contractor?
Generally clients look for at least 2-5 years experience, although because of the tight labor
market currently they sometimes make exceptions. If you are hardworking, you will succeed at being a contractor.
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