Contracting is growing in popularity for professionals looking to become more autonomous. However, to succeed as a contractor, it’s vital to stay on the ball. Having a set workload over a period of months or weeks does wonders for your sense of security, but it can be worrying to immediately follow it up with new business, especially since clients tend to select contractors very quickly.
To help you source further contracts, so that you’re never out of work, here are a few pointers to bolster your job hunt:
Invest in a website
The web is your window to the world, and you want the glass to be clear and reflective of your skills and ambitions. Having a website will make it far easier for clients to find you – indeed, you’ll appear more attractive, seeing as you’ve gone to the effort of marketing yourself.
A portfolio is essential, as are direct and friendly contact details. Also, don’t forget to speak a little about your personality, all the better for lending a human touch to potentially technical subject matter.
Stay in touch
The fact that a job has ended doesn’t mean you and your client have to part forever. Keep tabs on every contract you complete, even those you were in the running for. No-one can tell when fortune will smile on your ongoing work relationships – repeat business is very important for contractors, who can get a lot of mileage out of a single assignment.
Rope in recruiters
Whether you fancy joining a specialist contractor platform, or think a discussion with a recruitment agency will open new avenues, there’s no harm in reaching out to organisations that are dedicated to sourcing work in your area of knowledge. Some will even advise on your CV and how to gain an edge over the competition.
Scour LinkedIn
A contractor should never underestimate the power of LinkedIn for generating interest in their talent. As long as you target the right people, time is well spent gathering an online cadre of potential clients, learning about developments in your trade, and sharing links and articles pertaining to your expertise. Contracts will come your way quickly when people see you’re active and engaged in industry chatter.
Networking know-how
Despite the internet’s numerous virtues, it’s sometimes hard to beat talking to people one-on-one, or in a room fizzing with social energy. Networking events are great for broadening your immediate string of contacts. Jobs might even come through referral if an associate hears of an opening through the grapevine.
The demand is out there for flexible, highly trained professionals with an open mind, so don’t fret when your existing contract comes to an end. Once you implement a couple of changes to your work strategy, you’ll soon be turning clients away instead of fighting for their attention, selecting the jobs that are right for you.
The next step, of course, is to watch your income soar. Bright Ideas Accountancy can help with all of your accounting needs, so call 0161 669 4221 or email Info@biaccountancy.com to have a chat with our team.
