Key clients
Key clients
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What is it like being a Contractor?
When you first walk into the client’s premises for the first time, what will it be like?
Attitudes of Permanent Staff to Contractors
Permanent staff generally welcome contractors for several reasons. Firstly, it means extra skills have arrived to help out in what is probably a hard-pressed situation. Secondly, you are not a competitor for kudos or promotion. It is obviously sensible, however, not to discuss your earnings.
Clients' Attitudes to Contractors
Clients expect you to be what your CV promises - a capable, reliant and diligent professional with the appropriate skills and the ability level of, for example, a Senior Analyst or Programmer, who will quickly fit into their team.
They will agree a familiarisation programme with you to ensure that you settle in quickly.
Where you will fit in
The success of the project is a team effort and the client wants you on the team. Therefore, although you are coming in from outside, it is most likely that you will be treated very much as a member of the client’s permanent staff - work the same hours, park in the staff car park, take the same lunch hour, be welcome in the staff restaurant if they have one, and so on. Equally, you must ensure that you fit in, follow the company dress code, for example, and arrive on time.
The work you will be expected to do
You might find yourself having to do jobs that are different from those you expected. This is perfectly allowable in a contract - and can be a positive advantage. It is one of the ways that contractors acquire marketable new skills.
Training
It is widely believed that organisations are unwilling to train contractors. However, a recent survey showed that 40% of contractors have experienced training arranged and paid for by clients. This trend is likely to increase, to the benefit of new contractors.
A word of advice
It is important to manage your finances carefully, particularly during your first contract. You are likely to be offered an extension, or another contract quickly, but you may not, and those six months’ income may need to last nine months. Be conservative until you have really got the feel of contracting.
Contracting is about securing a successful future and there are thousands of very successful long term IT contractors.
You can join them through Project People.
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