IT Contractors how to stay ahead in the recession

Although there are some positive signs appearing for long term growth of the IT market and there are still many skills in demand, how do you ensure you get the contract you want and beat off the competition?

• Keep up to date on current industry trends and highlight your relevant skills accordingly
• Remain Flexible on where you will work, how far you will travel and what sort of work you will take
• Flexibility of skills is also key, as many companies will want specialists who can cross over in to other areas of work as and when required, especially in the current economic climate
• Stand out with excellent communication skills and business acumen
• Research the company and show an interest – We can help with this by providing you with detailed information about the client and role, giving you invaluable insight to prepare for the interview
• Be professional and punctual at all times and work to the highest quality, ensuring you make the best impression can be the difference between the client extending your contract or not, and receiving an excellent reference compared to a merely ‘good’ reference when trying to secure your next contract
• Keep your skills up to date with the latest training, perhaps if you are between contracts use this time to improve your skills or learn additional ones

Many employers are looking for flexible staffing solutions to keep things ticking over through the recession, so this could be good news for IT contractors, however taking into account the influx of candidates currently on the market, staying one step ahead is crucial to success.

Hopefully, if you are an experienced contractor you will have a ‘buffer’ set aside in case you do find yourself between contracts. Ensure you have contacted us here at Vector to update your skills and availability – preferably as you near the end of your current contract to avoid any ‘gaps’, be easily contactable to discuss future opportunities with us and make yourself as available as possible.

For more information on how to be a successful IT Contractor and some handy interview tips, visit the contractors section of our website.

Ross White, Senior Consultant, Vector Resourcing.