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Tips for Contractors

If you haven't worked as a contractor before, here are some things you might like to consider.
Is it for you? Take at take a look at the following information and find out.

• The positives of contracting
• The negatives of contracting
• Hints for contractors

The positives of contracting

Flexible working conditions
You may have the option to work from home or work part time. Depending on market conditions you have relative freedom to choose assignments.

Varied work
Because you may have a number of roles in a year, you may gain experience in diverse organisations. You will meet more people.

More independence 
You are relatively free from internal politics, and you can control your career path.
 
More challenges  
Because you are usually taken on to solve a specific problem, your work can be more specialised and more challenging.
 
Easy start-up  
As a documentation specialist, set-up is relatively cheap, overheads are low and rates are good.
 

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The negatives of contracting

Unstable/Uncertain work
Often contracts carry short notice periods. Due to their immediacy, it can become hard to plan around your contracts.

Unstable/uncertain income
Clients may cancel on you at the last minute or choose to break the contract before it expires. You may have to accept a job you don't want for financial reasons.

No one looks after you
You're responsible for your own career path and personal development. Sometimes you are not properly accommodated in the office and may not even have a desk of your own.

Client expectations
Clients are paying well for your services. This may fuel unrealistically high expectations of you.

It can be lonely
Given you may be in an organisation for a short period, it can be hard to feel like part of the team.
 
More bookwork
You need to fill in timesheets, sort your own funds for holidays and, if you are a company, you need to organise superannuation, taxation and insurance.

 

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Hints for contractors

Once you start contracting you become a marketable commodity. As you move around organisations and meet many people, you will have a reputation to uphold.

Here are some ideas to help you succeed as a contractor.

Take your job seriously
You have been hired as an outsider to help an organisation solve a problem. Expectations are high and rates are generally good. It is therefore important that you remain professional. Be punctual, respectful and diligent.

Avoid politics
As much as possible, try not to get involved in office politics. You will be respected for it, and better able to focus on your assignments.

Take feedback
One of the best ways to learn is from experience. Take any feedback offered by the client or TechWriter and try to use it to improve on your next contract. TechWriter will view your ability to welcome criticism as a strength, not a weakness.

Be prepared to do your research and your bookwork
You are responsible for your timesheets and expenses, and, where applicable, insurance and other financials.

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