First time contractor or temp – a must read
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Monday, 9 August, 2010 | Tagged in Running Your Own Business | Written by Crackerjacks
By Andy McCormack, Career & Life Coach
If you are a first time temp or contractor then this article is for you. If you are an experienced contractor – don’t go away ! I would love to hear your thoughts and comments.
The temporary/contract market is very different to permanent employment and can take sometime to get used to. People work this way for a number of reasons, flexibility, between permanent jobs, career move, need work before travelling or moving, try and gain more skills… whatever the reason there are a few things you need to know.
Here’s my quick-fire list of 10 things you should know as a temp:
1) Be flexible
The more restrictive you are on role content, hourly rate and location; less opportunities are going to come your way. A 4week assignment that’s 10 mins further than you wanted to travel may be better than not working for 4 weeks.
2) It’s not all about the $$$
As a temp/contractor you need to be planning ahead, if a role can increase your skills or experience this might help you get a better contract further down the track or make it easier to secure your next contract. Is it worth turning it down because it’s paying a few dollars less per hour.
3) Don’t be too proud
The number of contractors I have worked with over the years who have been too proud to drop their rate or perceived ‘status’ when a particular role has been talked about only to be back in touch constantly over the next 3 months as they still haven’t got a job. I don’t mean that you should accept anything or that you shouldn’t back yourself. I just encourage you to be open to the opportunities.
4) Prepare to be out of work
Fact of life in the contracting market. You won’t always have work, even some of the best contractors I have ever known have had a month or 2 with no work over the last 2 years (and that’s not through choice). Budget wisely and if possible build up a supply of $$$.
5) Use your Networks
As a temp/contractor it is down to you to source your own work. Sure agencies may help, but they have lots of people just like you wanting the same type of assistance. So utilise your own networks and keep in touch with everyone, not just when you need your next contract. Not got a network – then GET ONE.
6) Check your pay cycle
Before you start a contract make sure you know who is paying you and when you will be paid, as this will vary from assignment to assignment. If the contract is through an agency, make sure you know how their timesheet system works and who will be signing it from the client you are working for. You are likely to be paid on an hourly basis so make sure this correctly logged. DO NOT accept late payment from an agency, they owe you as per your agreement with them, so keep on to them if they pay late.
7) Negotiate with your agency
Agencies make their money by adding a margin on top of the rate that you are being paid. This is perfectly acceptable, afterall (at no cost to you) they have found you the role and are paying you so you aren’t chasing the client you are working for (they also usually pay you before they get paid by the client). I’m not recommending that you insist on being paid what the agency is paying you, but that you should always try to negotiate the best deal for you, an extra $1 per hr can make a big difference long –term.
8) Be the very best you can ALL the time
In the temp/contracting market your name is your brand and therefore is a direct link to your ability to source work. Make sure you have a good reputation for doing a good job. It is a scarily small market and you would be surprised who knows who and what information is discussed/shared.
9) Get on with everyone
If people talk about you and your work and the first thing they say is positive, then this is a great start to the conversation. You instantly become the focus of a positive discussion. Also as a temp you don’t know who has what influence in a business business. I remember a temp of mine walking through the car park of a clients he was working for, on being questioned on what he was doing he told the questioner to ‘get lost, none of your business’ – only to find out that person was the General Manager. The temp lost that contract.
10) Enjoy it
Contracting can be a great way of working and is an opportunity to increase your skills and meet lots of interesting people. Sure it’s hard work and not for everyone, but if you find yourself in the position of working on a contract assignment enjoy it as you never know where it might lead.
August 11th, 2010
Excellent piece of information !!