COVID-19 radically transformed the world of IT and data recruitment. There has been a rapid rise in the number of IT contracts offered in recent years, thanks in no small part to COVID-19 changing how we work and placing even more emphasis on remote work.
Contract work is a very beneficial career path as it offers individuals more flexibility in where and how they work and gives them the option to earn more.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide for individuals looking to break into contract work.
Step One: Identify Your Skills and Experience
Undertaking a self-assessment is a critical first step whenever you are looking to change jobs, as it is a defined process that will help you learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. To undertake an effective self-assessment, you should:
Make a list of your accomplishments and how they have impacted the company you are currently employed at.
Highlight areas you need to work on, which can demonstrate your willingness to learn and develop.
Narrow down your strengths to those responsibilities you have in your role that you are performing well in.
Step Two: Build a Strong Professional Network
We know the freelance contract market is very competitive, but networking can be a game-changer when finding new customers and expanding your business. Networking can seem daunting, but there are many ways to build business connections, including attending data industry events, joining online communities and utilising social media platforms such as LinkedIn.
Step Three: Craft a Compelling Contract Work Profile
The best way to think about your contract work profile is as a sales document that will prove to the client that you have the skills and experience needed to succeed in the role. The focus, therefore, should be more on functional and technical skills and any relevant experience you have.
There are three main components you should communicate in your contract work profile, and these are:
- What is your go-to-market description?
- What is your unique selling point?
- What are your key strengths?
Step Four: Finding Contract Work Opportunities
There are various avenues for finding contract work, such as freelance platforms and professional networks but the best avenue for data and cloud contractors is Agile Recruit’s online job board.
You can narrow your job search by keyword and location, fixed term or temporary, or drill down even further to remote positions only. If we don’t have the perfect role for you, you can sign up for our Job Alert service to receive an alert when a role matching your criteria is added.
If you want to break into the contract work market, why not register with Agile Recruit? Our focus is matching the right candidate to the right company within our vast network of clients. With this in mind, we take the time to get to know you and your desired career plan so we don’t waste your time – or our networks.
So, start your contract work journey today by getting in touch:
Call us on 0330 335 5545
Email us at info@agilerecruit.com
