Finding your first contract can seem daunting as a new contractor. You want to get hired fast and start earning! Fortunately, with the right strategy, it’s easier than ever to find a contract. The UK contracting market is booming, with high demand for IT, finance and engineering skills. Let’s look at how to get hired fast.
Where to Look for Contract Roles
- Recruitment agencies. Register with 3-5 recruitment agencies who specialise in contractors (eg Hays, Reed, Michael Page).
- Job boards. Check job boards like CWJobs, Indeed and Jobserve for contract roles (thousands are listed daily).
- LinkedIn. Optimise your LinkedIn profile with relevant keywords (eg “IT Contractor”). Connect with recruiters and recruiters, and make posts about your availability.
- Networking events. Attend relevant industry events, or even contractor forums like ContractorUK to meet potential clients.
Writing a Winning CV
- Highlight your skills. Focus on relevant technical and soft skills in your CV.
- Include specific deliverables. Use numbers where possible (“Delivered £500k ERP system implementation”).
- IR35 ready. Tailor your CV to show autonomy and project-based work to support outside IR35 status.
- Keep it short. Only 2 pages, with recent contracts at the top.
Interview Tips
- Be prepared. Research the client and role. Have questions ready about how you will work.
- Showcase your expertise. Use examples of past projects, challenges overcome and impact created.
- IR35 discussion. Be ready to discuss your working practices that support an outside IR35 determination.
- Negotiate your rate. Know your minimum rate in advance and stick to it.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing before reading. Never sign a contract without reviewing it for IR35 status and payment terms.
- Overcommitting. Only take one contract at a time as a new contractor to avoid burnout.
- Ignoring your finances. Set up your Ltd company and bookkeeping processes early to remain compliant.
How We Can Help
As new contractors, many people call us to find out how to:
- Set up their own Ltd company.
- Comply with IR35.
- Track their expenses and finances.
We can help with all of that and more. You can track your expenses, mileage and invoices in real-time using FreeAgent. Plus we offer same-day support, so you will never be left waiting for a response.
Start Landing Contracts
Now you know how to get hired fast. It’s time to land that first contract and start earning as a contractor. Book a free consultation to get your business set up ready for success.
