Working as an IT Contractor

What does an IT contractor do?

An IT contractor will typically specialise in certain areas of IT, helping businesses to design, build, deliver, operate and/or maintain technology services – from complex security systems to company websites.

It’s vital that an IT contractor has great attention to detail to avoid making mistakes that could have dire consequences for their client (especially when working with security systems) and they will need to ensure they keep themselves up-to-date with any industry developments that will affect their area of expertise.

Working as an IT contractor

There are many reasons why IT professionals decide to join the contracting sector; first of all, there’s the fact that being your own boss means you are able to set your own rates.

Plus, contractors are often able to command higher rates compared to those who are employed.

For more information on how this works and advice on how much you should be charging, take a look at our Rates of Pay for IT Contractors page.

There’s also the flexibility of being able to work the hours and days you want, as well as having the freedom to choose whether or not you want to work with a certain client or company.

Finding work as an IT contractor

Technology is constantly evolving and playing more of a pivotal role in businesses and our personal lives, therefore being highly skilled in specialised areas puts you in a great position when it comes to finding work.

Many businesses will opt for hiring an IT contractor as opposed to an employee due to the fact that they can take advantage of someone who offers specialised skills and new ideas.

Also, in the long run, they end up spending less on a contractor compared to an employed worker due to them not having to pay out for things like holiday and sick pay, plus they only need to have the contractor in as and when required.

When it comes to finding work, the first place to start is to have a good CV that showcases your skills, experience and examples of your work.

Online job boards and recruitment websites are a great way to see what’s out there and are easy to apply to – in particular, look for sites that specialise in your field.

LinkedIn is another useful site for networking and looking for contracts.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional Indemnity Insurance, or PI insurance, is something you should consider for any roles that involve you offering skills and advice that could impact a client’s business negatively should something go wrong.

PI helps to protect you from claims such as:

• Loss of documents or data
• Errors or omissions

For more help and advice on this read our What is Professional Indemnity Insurance? page

Take a look at our Accountancy Services for IT Contractors for information on what we can offer you as a contractor working in the technology sector.

If you’d like to sign up or need any further information, please give us a call on 01442 795 100 or you can email jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com. There’s also the option to contact us via live chat.