How to get contract jobs?

**checkmate** · 8 October 2014, 11:05

sorry ignore above, i think im panicking and just need to be patient lol!

**SuPaStA** · 8 October 2014, 11:10

Originally posted by checkmate View Post

Hi all

i have read this forum but still struggling

finished permanent job end of august and now looking to get into contracting. have been trying for past month and bit. usually apply for 20-30 jobs a day. but not having any luck. get odd calls but all for perm, non for contracting.

can any contractors give tips on how they found there first contract jobs? I am even happy to do roll out jobs just to build trust with agencies but not having any luck.

Considering Bite who they help get contract jobs but i have to pay commission so in 2 minds with that for now

any advice will be appreciated!

thanks in advance

Normally you would secure the contract before leaving a permanent job but if it was not by choice then that is understandable. You have don't have a contractor CV that will play against you when applying for contracts. I wouldn't pay any agency commission to secure a contract they already get a lot of money off me as it is.

What sector you in?

**checkmate** · 8 October 2014, 11:14

i think its just being unemployed for long and being in perm for years maybe agency dont trust me as contractor hence not getting job, thats why thought of paying but yeh would like to avoid them as much as i can.

Maybe your right could be my CV. is there someone i can pay to get my CV up to scratch for contractor?

I am in the IT field. mainly windows server/IT support related. happy to do roll out jobs to build trust/relationship with agencies if required too.

**SuPaStA** · 8 October 2014, 11:23

Originally posted by checkmate View Post

i think its just being unemployed for long and being in perm for years maybe agency dont trust me as contractor hence not getting job, thats why thought of paying but yeh would like to avoid them as much as i can.

Maybe your right could be my CV. is there someone i can pay to get my CV up to scratch for contractor?

I am in the IT field. mainly windows server/IT support related. happy to do roll out jobs to build trust/relationship with agencies if required too.

No I meant your CV doesn't reflect any contract work, it looks like a permanent person trying to move into contracting. I would suggest to just take any day rate at this stage, just to get contracting work on your CV (unless that is already what you doing).

I just use Jobserve when you looking for work (Network/Security) and ensure you have a decent linkedin.

**Scrag Meister** · 8 October 2014, 11:26

Originally posted by checkmate View Post

Hi all

i have read this forum but still struggling

finished permanent job end of august and now looking to get into contracting. have been trying for past month and bit. usually apply for 20-30 jobs a day. but not having any luck. get odd calls but all for perm, non for contracting.

can any contractors give tips on how they found there first contract jobs? I am even happy to do roll out jobs just to build trust with agencies but not having any luck.

Considering Bite who they help get contract jobs but i have to pay commission so in 2 minds with that for now

any advice will be appreciated!

thanks in advance

Took me 3 months, from leaving perm role to starting first contract.

As you say, patience and enjoy the time off.

**malvolio** · 8 October 2014, 11:45

Also your contractor CV is all about what you know and what you have delivered; virtually all the career progression stuff , non-technical qualifications, interests, aspirations and other blah that impresses the Human Remains team is irrelevant. Your client will be looking for someone who is immediately productive in their required skills area. It also needs to be tailored to the job in question: if your CV doesn't contain all the keywords in the advert and at least one occurrence of the job title, you go in the reject pile: agents at the level we deal with do not apply intelligence when vetting CVs.

Structure it as a one paragraph elevator pitch, a bulleted list of key achievements relevant to the role then your job history again bringing out the necessary experience in the job; that's all you need and keep it to 2-3 pages if you can.

Yes, it's a pain, but if you want to be a contractor, it's only one of many.

**TykeMerc** · 8 October 2014, 11:50

Originally posted by checkmate View Post

i think its just being unemployed for long and being in perm for years maybe agency dont trust me as contractor hence not getting job, thats why thought of paying but yeh would like to avoid them as much as i can.

Maybe your right could be my CV. is there someone i can pay to get my CV up to scratch for contractor?

I am in the IT field. mainly windows server/IT support related. happy to do roll out jobs to build trust/relationship with agencies if required too.

As a starting point take a long hard look at your CV, if it displays the same level of written English skills as your posts then that's certainly a big negative, people judge you on how you communicate, sloppy English sells you as lazy or incompetent.

Then take another look at it and think is this a CV that says Permanent employee looking for work or is it a sales document touting for contracts, there's more than a few differences in the two.

**TheFaQQer** · 8 October 2014, 11:53

Originally posted by checkmate View Post

Maybe your right could be my CV. is there someone i can pay to get my CV up to scratch for contractor?

There are many you can pay. Whether they know anything is a completely different matter.

If you know people who are contractors, then ask them to have a look at your CV and see what they would recommend. In the past, some people on CUK have done it (I know DodgyAgent has offered in the past), and on a previous project I worked on, a group of us reviewed each others and added comments / criticism / improvement suggestions.

**CloudWalker** · 8 October 2014, 13:08

It all starts with your C.V. Get it out there on all the Job Sites and make it searchable.
And Chat to agents (see how the market is) Also get on Linkedin.

How to get contract jobs?