Over the years, I have accumulated a set of questions that I usually ask the placement firm about a contract position (W2 or 1099) that I am looking at taking. Many of these questions will also apply if you are thinking about working as a salaried employee for a consulting firm:
- What is the job description?
- What is the length of the contract?
- What is the pay rate?
- What is the company name of your client that I would be working at?
- Where is the work location?
- Is this position W2 or 1099?
- When would you want me to start?
- Any other of your contractors at this company? Can I talk to them?
- Are expenses paid (flight/car/hotel/meals)?
- What are the chances of the contract being extended?
- Are benefits available (medical/dental/LTD/STD/life/AD&D/vision), and how long before they take effect? What are the deductibles and premiums?
- Are there any paid vacation, sick, holidays?
- Is there any monthly/yearly bonus?
- Any paid training?
- How long are contractors usually on the bench between projects? Is bench time paid? How long will you let someone stay on the bench before you “let them go”?
- Is any overtime expected? Is it paid?
- What are the typical work hours?
- Is the job location close to a park-and-ride? Will I be reimbursed if I have to pay for parking?
- What are the pay periods?
- Do you have contractors just in this city or nationwide?
- Are there other contractors in your company I can exchange technical questions?
- Is there a chance the next project will be in a different city?
- Are there promotions? Annual reviews?
- What is my job title?
- Is there a sign-on bonus?
- Will I be in a cubical or office?
- Is a laptop/computer provided or do I need my own?
- What languages/tools will I be using?
- Is this more of a maintenance role or new development?
- Will I need to be on-call at all?
- Can you describe my day-to-day duties?
- Is there a 401k? Any employer match?
- Any stock options?
- What is the driving distance to the work location from my house?
- What is the bill rate you will be charging the client that I will be working at?
- Who would be my “boss”?
Hopefully this list will spur you on to ask many questions so there are no “surprises” that happen after you take a contract position.
