Just interviewed for a position as a contract worker. "Temp w/ possibility to permanent." The contract has been on ongoing one and isn't going anywhere.

51K which would be just okay (in the 25th percentile in my field in my state). Take away the benefits and it's not as exciting. Beats nothing, which is pretty much what I'm earning now. (I do some freelance work, which pays well per hour, but there's not a lot of it.)

I don't know whether I would be 1099 or whether I'd be W-2 through the recruiting company.

Anyway, I have a few mixed feelings but it beats nothing and I'm going to keep an open mind about it, in case I do like the work and I would be hired as a permanent employee.

Can folks here who've done contract work offer advice- things to do, not to do, and things to be aware of? Especially first-hand experience. I've not done contract work in my field before this.

Also, I do have a gripe w/ the recruiting company- they pasted my resume into their formatting with their header, and IMO and in the opinion of the person interviewing me (she said that she almost considered not interviewing me based on how poorly formatted my resume was), they messed it up and lost all the hyperlinks to my work that I'd embedded in the resume. Basically, I had a good resume and they kind of messed it up. I want to bring this up with them but don't want to appear difficult. I probably will anyway, lol, since they're not presenting me well.

Thanks all.

Some companies hire workers for a contract they have to do the work, in that case you're a w2 temp worker,(contract employee). By doing that its a given when/if the work(contract) is done, so are you. If the company hires you to do the work you're a independent contractor (1099). I don't know what the work is but if it is 1099 check to see, do you have to use your car? Do they pay you back for gas, mileage ect.? Is there any expenses you must pay out of pocket that you can "write off at tax time". Watch that one, I've done a lot of contract work over the years and they always tell you "oh yeah you pay this or that but you just write it off at the end of the year" What they don't say is you must pay your social security tax and take a self employment tax fine of 800 to 1000 bucks or more and pay tax on what you earned. S.S tax and self employment tax can wipe out your "write off's".If you're not careful.

I would go back to the recruiting company and demand some kind of apology and to have them correct the format they messed up. And I'd let them know you almost lost an interview because of it. If they charge a fee to help you find work I'd let them know that until they rectify this there will be no fee. If this is a good job, their stupid mistake could have cost you that job. You don't want to appear difficult, bullcrap if you're getting charged anything I'd be damn difficult, they work for you.
My 2 cents, good luck with it,hope it works for you.

Oh I forgot..The IRS wants you to pay tax every quarter if you're 1099 if you don't the fine you around 2 to 4 hundred. It doesn't seem like much but add it in with S.S. and self employment tax and that 3 grand return is now 500 or worse you have to pay them. They got me one year for 1700. I paid every quarter after that!

Thanks, Logan.

Any other folks?

To much to type, but you could add 20K to that salary working for yourself.
Same thing happened to me. Took a contract job. Had to work thru their agency. Give me a call tomorrow.