Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the benefits of Contracting?
A: For someone who is self-reliant, wants to work outside of company politics and limitations and likes new and exciting challenges, a contracting career may be just the thing.
Do the following options appeal to you?
- choosing projects freely based on career goals, geographic location or personal and social preferences
- working for numerous clients or industries without incurring the stigma attached to employees who change jobs frequently
- deciding when to work and when to take time off
- giving yourself a raise as your skills improve, based on what the market will support
- gaining new experiences and knowledge with each new contract
- controlling the development of your skill set and the direction of your career
- making strong connections in various industries
- developing powerful soft skills you'll use in other aspects of your life such as self-marketing, diplomacy, stress management, personal prioritizing, and time management
- divorcing yourself from corporate politics
- earning income directly proportional to your contribution
- developing your entrepreneurial skills
- deducting business expenses that can include your equipment, training, and part of your mortgage and utilities if you keep a home office and if you are incorporated
Q: How long are the contract periods?
A: Contracts can range from six (6) months to one (1) year. MCS cannot guarantee that any contract will be renewed. The Decision to continue to use your services is left to the discretion of the hiring authority. Our officers however, will work with the hiring authority to determine the cause of early dismissal (should that event occur) or non-renewal of contracts. To date, most of our contractors have been renewed.
Q: What is the difference between a 1099 Independent Contractor and a W2 Independent Contractor?
A: Independent contractors are not permanent employees of a company. They can work either as 1099 or W2 contractors. Both types of contractors are paid by the client or agency. The earnings of the 1099 Contractor are reported to the IRS on a 1099 form without the withholding of any taxes (federal, state, social security). However, the earnings of a W2 employee is reported to the IRS and federal and state income tax are withheld. The agency also pays the employer's share of the social security tax for W2 employees.
W2 Contractor:
Under common law, a worker is an employee (contract, permanent, direct) if the person for whom they work has the right to direct and control the way they work, both as to the final result and as to the details of when, where, and how the work is done.
When a person is paid on the form W-2, the employer withholds and pays all of the necessary employee income taxes as required by the IRS. These taxes include: Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). There are several advantages to working as a W2 employee including the following:
- You are assured a regular income
- You may be eligible for valuable benefits.
- You are free from the headaches of ensuring that your taxes are paid to the IRS. Taxes are taken out of each paycheck and the employer's half of the social security tax.
1099 Independent Contractor:
Working as a 1099 Contractor means you are in business for yourself as a sole proprietor or as a corporation. Your clients typically issue you a contract to work on a special project. All money paid to you is paid on an untaxed basis. It is your responsibility to file and pay the appropriate taxes directly to the IRS.
Workers considered independent contractors fill the following roles:
- Work with multiple clients.
- Pays his/her own taxes and files the required government forms.
- Social Security taxes are the sole responsibility of the independent contractor.
- Obtains his/her own benefits including workers’ compensation, disability, etc. The independent contractor is not entitled to any typical employee benefits from any government agency.
- Deducts business expenses from his/her income tax.
There are several advantages to working as an Independent Contractor including:
- Independent Contractors can offer their services to the general public instead of just one employer.
- With multiple clients or customers, the independent contractor is free from control by any one firm.
- The independent contractor is free to work the hours they choose, usually also free to work for more than one client at a time.
Does MCS offer any benefits to 1099 and W2 Contractors?
W2 employees may be eligible for benefits such as medical insurance coverage, sick leave, and paid vacation and pension funds. Independent contractors do not receive any benefits. As an additional service MCS provides information on insurance and pension funds upon request from its Contractors.
Q: General Liability vs. Professional Liability Insurance
A: The two main types of liability insurance for professionals are General liability insurance and Professional Liability insurance. Both of these coverage's are important to properly protect a professional organization from financial loss.
General Liability insurance will protect an organization in the event the insured causes bodily injury or property damage to others and becomes legally obligated to pay damages. Liability for Bodily Injury can occur when a physical injury to a person is caused by third party. Liability for Property Damage can occur when a third party causes direct or indirect damage (such as loss of use of property) to another person's property.
General liability insurance is standardized and relatively easy to obtain. It is often provided in a package policy with other coverage’s, sometimes called a business office package policy. Most general liability policies issued to professional organizations contain exclusions for professional liability claims.
Professional Liability insurance is designed to provide coverage to professionals for claims arising out of their professional activities or services provided to clients. It is also called errors and omissions insurance or E&O (or medical malpractice for doctors). Coverage is typically provided by stand-alone professional liability policies and includes coverage for the defense costs associated with a claim. Coverage is not usually provided for intentional or dishonest acts.
A: An LLC is a separate and distinct legal entity. This means that an LLC can obtain a tax identification number, open a bank account and do business, all under its own name. The primary advantage of an LLC is that its owners, known as members, are not personally liable for the debts and liabilities of the LLC. For example, if an LLC is forced into bankruptcy, the members will not be required to make up the difference with their own money. If the assets of the LLC are not enough to cover the debts and liabilities, the creditors cannot look to the members, managers or officers for recovery.
Q: What type of positions do you typically handle?
A: The client base is quite diverse.
Our contract and permanent recruitment divisions place mainly in pharmaceutical and clinical based positions.
Our temporary, temp-to-perm and direct hire division handles just about any position within an office environment, from clerical support through mid-level management positions. Our specialties include: Administrative Staff, Human Resources, Legal Support Staff, Office Management, Finance and Accounting, and Marketing Opportunities.
Q: What geographical area do you cover?
A: Our contract and permanent recruitment divisions in the pharmaceutical and clinicial industry place a large volume of positions in the Connecticut and the Northeast Tri-state areas. They also place in various locations around the United States.
Our temporary, temp-to-perm and direct hire division places with clients primarily located in Fairfield and New Haven Counties of Connecticut. We also have clients in the Hartford area.
Q: Are there any fees involved?
A: All fees are paid by our client companies. There is no cost to the candidate.
A: The first step in the process is to send your resume to us. You can find our contact information on the Contact Page .You can also apply for a specific job by Searching Open Positions.
Q: How do I apply for a specific position?
A: You can search and apply for open positions in our Job Search section. Be sure to attach your resume in a .pdf, .doc or .docx format
Q: Should I send my resume more than once?
A: There is no need to submit your resume more than once, unless you would like to update your file with us.
A: Yes, interviews are required prior to presenting your resume to a client. The interview will be in person and/or over the phone. Depending upon the position you are being considered for you may need to participate in additional interviews with your Counselor or the client company. These additional interviews may be in person and/or over the phone as well.
Q: Will I be informed before my resume is forwarded to a company?
A: Yes. We never send a resume without notifying the candidate first.
A: Please keep in mind that our goal as consultants is to identify the most highly qualified candidates for the job based on the client's preferences. While you may be qualified, you simply may not be as qualified as others.
A: If you have a question that is not answered here please feel free to Contact Us.