If you need more career flexibility, independence, and variety than a traditional job affords, contracting and consulting are viable options in this fluid job market.
Experts say that both have benefits.
Your choice depends on your individual needs, work style, and qualifications. Defining the Terms A consultant, experts explain, is someone who deals directly with the companies for whom he or she provides services. The consultant must seek out clients, negotiate work parameters and fees, and handle billing and taxes. A contractor, however, works through an agency or staffing service, which in turn handles all negotiations with their client companies. Contractors get a certain fee, paid by the agency, which takes care of finding clients, establishing service relationships, and billing.