Many companies featured on Money advertise with us. Opinions are our own, but compensation and
in-depth research may determine where and how companies appear. Learn more about how we make money.

The benefits of being a contract worker or a freelancer are plentiful, says author Kerry Hannon. You get to work on your skill set and keep current in the field you love. You can grow your network and the types of jobs you tackle may vary from company to company, keeping you engaged and fresh. You also get to decide which jobs you take and which to turn down. You get to set your own schedule.

Want to get started as a contract worker? Hannon has a lot of suggestions about where to find work.