The contracting world is tough out there with fierce competition. There any many methods you can use to increase your chances of employment and reducing the gaps you have between contractors. It is a difficult transition to make from permeant employment as it requires you to utilise different set of skills. Here we have condensed the key points to focus on to narrow down your focus and give you specific targets to work towards.
Creating a CV that is ideal for employers seeking contractors must be created to maximise the chance of employment
says one of the specialist at Bluebird Contractor Calculator.
Most contract jobs are filled within a day or two with maybe a single telephone interview or face-to-face interview. Please see below to read more on tips how to find work contracting:
- Utilise the internet. Create your own profile online, make a presence for yourself on job boards as well as using agencies. Building a network online by simply uploading your CV to a job board site or CV library will immediately allow agencies and recruiters to see your CV and get in contact. Most contractors find that over 70% of their work is sourced from an agency. Rather than sending of your application to each recruitment agency individually, this will save you a lot of time.
- Creating a strong contractor CV. A contractor’s CV is less focused on team player attributes. It should include your skills, career history and previous achievements. You should be able to tailor your skills to each contract. To excel in this aspect, consider enrolling in relevant courses that enhance your expertise. Platforms like Digital Constructive Contractor Licensing company, or similar firms offering contractor licencing courses can offer a wide array of courses that can equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in your contracting career.
- Target – once you know what roles you are looking for, you can target these clients/agents to correlate to your skills, adapting your CV accordingly. If you create a spreadsheet of those ones you’ve applied for and then you can log whether or not you have been successful in receiving contact back.
- Following up – using a system as mentioned above you can easily track your progress and where you are at with each agency. Making a quick call or email to chase up may open up conversation that could lead to an interview or job prospects. Their also busy too so if they get a lot of applicants they may not have time to contact them all back.
- Make sure you are prepared – being prepared for any interview is key. You don’t want to be faffing about with getting lost or struggling to find parking, so by doing some quick research on location, parking and transport links before will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
- Sales techniques – during the interview it is all about selling your services and skills. Compared to a permeant interview is it less about your team skills and punctuality attributes but more purely based on what you can deliver and bring through your specific skill. Researching some sales techniques could be useful.
- Listen – throughout the interview the client will explain the issues they are currently facing, by listening attentively you will understand and explore what they are looking for. By taking these on board you can explain your skills that will benefit them.
- Following up – once you have verbally confirmed the contract it is important that it is drawn up on a written document as quickly as possible. Even if this isn’t possible you should still contact your agency to get an expected time or what the next steps are.
Regardless of the industry these steps should be able to be applied. Create a clear, direct plan that allows you to focus on the key markets for yourself says Milosz Krasinski. Ideally from this process you will create a steady flow of contracts coming your way, building an established reputation within your industry.
