Contractor Guide - Q and A for new contractors

Common Questions, that new contractors ask about contracting. Our aim is to provide an insight into contracting, so you can decide if it is right for you. If you have a specific question to ask about contracting read through or discuss via the contractors forum. 

If I contract will I get work flexibility? 

It is really not likely you can find flexible contract working, i.e. some days each week or short days. The sole chance of this is if you have a contact yourself or if you finish an existing contract and arrange a part time renewal - maybe for a support role. However once you are an established contractor with contacts you may be able to negotiate work flexibility, just don’t demand it in the beginning.

If you do decide to accept a part time contract, remember that it might then be difficult to find another part-time contract to fill your spare days (if you'd like to).

What you can do is work ordinary hours on a contract and take time off between contracts.

Can I take vacations during a contract?

Taking vacation while in a contract is completely sufficient and 99.9% of companies will manage your vacation time the same as if you were an abiding member of staff. But, remember that you do not get paid when you're on vacation. If you're employed full time then handling your accounts on working 44 weeks a year will be about right.

When should I start making an application for contracts? Normally around  2 - 3 weeks before you are available. But you'll need to give up your permanent job first. You may that if you give notice your employer could either release you earlier or make you work a full notice period.

Will I be freed from company politics and toeing the company line?
Don't think things will change dramatically. Just because your pay structure is dissimilar doesn't suggest politics will disappear. Saying that, there's the advantage of not having to creep as much as you try to 'rise up the company ladder' and you may end up being more frank with your boss and on a level pegging.

The 'us and them' isn't as robust allowing you to concentrate on other aspects and announcing different things because your interest is already in the project succeeding, instead of attempting to get a promotion.

Will I still need to do 'company time'? You may still have to do this the same as the permanent staff. The sole difference is that you will not have to 'stay on and finish a chunk of work late, or work weekends as it will look good on your appraisal etc etc'. You can simply say 'Yes, I am pleased to stay provided you pay me'.

In some organisations the permanent staff could be working from 7am to 7pm. You do not have to join them, though you could be put under pressure to do so depending on the sort of rate you are on.

You may still need to do 9-5 or whatever is normal, especially if you're employed in a team. If you've a good boss man you may be ready to flex things a bit, but sadly for some middle executives the perception is that 'if you aren't at your desk typing away then you ain't working'. Their perception doesn't change simply because your pay structure does.

Will my talents become old or outdated?
How will I keep abreast of the most recent ones? It's a parable that contractors can't remain as a contractor while continuing to use the newest abilities. The talents issue is debated in detail in the article Keeping Your Talents Updated and Avoiding the Scrap Heap it's a miserable fact that many corporations don't now train their permanent staff, and only do so if there's a need on a specific project to do so.

When you're contracting you are fully in command of your own coaching.

If you need to go on a course, or buy book or anything you can. When you're contracting you take control of your own pro destiny.

Will I am getting the dull work to do? No! If you keep a lid on with your talents then you will get extraordinarily fascinating work to do.

Contractor Guide - What is a contractor If you thought that contracting was maybe an option for you, but were not sure what the differences were between contracting, freelancing and temping - read this before you start applying for work or jobs.

Contractor Guide - Questions and answers for new contractors Useful online guide for an introduction to contracting.

Contractor interviews - preparing for your interview? These are the things that you need to research. Do you know what questions the employer is likely to ask you? We do.