Finding the First Contract

There are many differences between scouting for a permanent position and a shorter-term contract job, so it’s crucial to be prepared and know what you need to do.There are two steps here – finding the right job and winning the contract.

1.    Finding the opportunity.

There are many different ways to find contract work. Offers can come from friends and colleagues, previous employers who know your skillsets, companies looking for talent through networks such as LinkedIn, or often through specialist recruitment agencies. Established contractors can use reputation and contacts to find their next role – however, as a new face to the marketplace, you may not have this option.

Recruitment agencies are perhaps the easiest way to find contract opportunities. Most agencies have a contract work division and many exclusively work with contractors – it is their livelihood to place people in contract roles, so you know an agency will be working on your behalf. A good recruiter will get to know you and carefully match your CV to prospective contracts – it is worth taking the time to find ones you trust, since you won’t be wasting time considering roles you’re not a good fit for. For each role, a recruiter will have a list of prospective candidates – make sure you are on that list!

Before you can even get a foot in the door, you will need to make sure your CV is up to scratch. Writing a CV for contract work isn’t the same as for permanent roles – your skills and capabilities are key. Our guide to writing a contractor CV will give you all the information you need to write a stand-out CV and a good recruiter will offer advice and make amendments to your CV as needed.

You are working for yourself now – although agencies and contacts can help, ultimately it’s up to you. Remember, when you are not working, your full-time job is finding a job. Don’t rely on anybody else – scout job boards, contact prospective clients, connect with old colleagues and generally make sure you are devoting as much time as possible to securing the next opportunity.

2.    Selling yourself.

Getting an interview is an essential first step – but your work isn’t done. As with any job interview, you need to stand out and convince the interviewer that you are the best person for the job. If you have been selective about the roles you apply for, you should be able to walk in the door confident that you are a good candidate – so carry that confidence in with you!

An interviewer for a contract role isn’t concerned with how you will fit into the organisation, your ambitions or your general skill-set. It’s vital to remember that they have a specific problem they need to solve – focus on that. Preparation is important – understand the position, the requirements and the expectations. The best weapon in your armoury will be directly relevant experience, so being able to provide examples of problem-solving and achievement with the specific task(s) you are set are key.

Bring a portfolio, examples of previous work or projects and good references. If you can give the interviewer confidence you will be able to deliver and back it up with hard facts, you are a step ahead already.

Finally, make sure you are well-dressed, professional and punctual. It may seem obvious, but an interview can be failed within the first ten seconds – first impressions are important, so take the time to make sure yours is good!

3.    Prepare for the future.

Once you have won your first contract, don’t sit back and assume it’s easy from here on out. Keep in contact with good recruiters and start your next contract search early. Work on your professional network – make and maintain contacts, add to your portfolio and keep an ear to the ground for any other opportunities that might be cropping up in the near future.

You will also want to get your financial affairs in order. Many contractors use a specialist contractor accountant to handle their income and tax, inform them how to maximise their income while contracting and advise on the IR35 status of contracts. It’s worth getting this out of the way early – not only will you have peace of mind knowing there’s one less thing to handle in future, you can take advantage of early tax planning and make sure you’re not losing out.

If you’re unsure whether to make the leap into full-time contracting, check out our handy guide to whether contracting is the life for you. If you are in the market for a contractor accountant to help you with your journey, give us a call on 01442 795 100 or email your enquiry over to sophie.lewis@dolanaccountancy.com.