You’ve
considered the offer
and now you’re walking down the path to Salaried City. Don’t celebrate
just yet: there’s choppy water between the initial “yes” and your first day
as a full-timer. Let BuncoSquad offer some navigation tips:

Accept that you’ve lost a client.
If you refuse right away, there’s a chance they’ll eventually invite you
back. It’s a different story if you take the offer and skip out shortly
thereafter. Don’t expect the client — now your ex — to request
your contract services again. Some companies have strict policies on
contracting out to former employees; others just see it as a conflict of
interest.

Look beyond the numbers.
Few contractors get the same money once they change sides. Look for other
compensation, in terms of training, benefits, or anything else that’s
difficult to manage when you run your own shop. Also consider long-term
money such as retirement plans and stock options. (This can be a ruse in
smaller, start-up companies that can disappear in a whiff; but in more
established firms it can be a plus.) If you’re only after short-term
money, salaried life isn’t for you.

Don’t expect the same control.
Many clients don’t mind their contractors taking time off, as long as they
get their work done. By comparison, salaried employees have fixed amounts
of vacation time that they must file well in advance.

The same goes for money: employees don’t enjoy the same
tax twists you
can take when You, Inc pays You, Individual. As an employee of another
firm, you’ll get a set W-2 paycheck, which means you’ll lose a lot of it to
Uncle Sam.

Realize that this is your first and last chance to make a
deal.
The title and salary you accept now will be your starting point. Expect
slow, incremental changes henceforth. That annual bonus may or may not
come, and — if the place is tumultuous enough — the position for which
you applied may disappear before you can say, “1099!”

Expect jealousy from your teammates.
The smart ones will know you’re getting a good deal. They’ll also smell
someone new on their turf vying for that top employee review. Let the
backstabbing commence!

Take note of your new game.
Survival as a corporate employee is a very different game than when you’re
a contractor. In fact, some marks of contract professionalism — distance
from political issues,
suggestions for change
– can be taken quite differently coming from a salaried person. Being an
employee means looking at something other than the time you put in (and how
that translates to dollar signs); and if you aren’t adept at that game,
then full-time life will be unpleasant.

Don’t close up shop.
Even though you’re riding high on your fancy new job, you may still get the
occasional side gig through your freelance channels. This doesn’t just put
extra cash in your pockets; it can also build connections for the day you
decide to change jobs.

Your soon-to-be-employer shouldn’t lay any claims to an
exclusive relationship
with you, barring any conflict-of-interest situations. Note any such
clauses in any contract you sign, and pay special attention to the employee
handbook. The latter tends to be rather dry reading material, but you’re
bound to any and all statements made therein.

The choice between freelancing and full-time employment can be a difficult
and very personal decision. Going into negotiations well-informed will
help you avoid the traps.