How to Succeed in the World of Contracting
The world of contracting can seem daunting at first glance. Making a good impression as a contractor is vital, as it is elsewhere in life. Therefore, we’ve put together a thorough checklist of things you should do and things you should definitely avoid at all costs.
Do:
1. Show initiative, be proactive, and have enthusiasm. If things are quiet don’t hesitate to ask management for stuff to do. Not only will this increase your visibility with managers and colleagues, it will also go a long way toward painting you in a good light as a productive and helpful team player.
2. Show professionalism. Make sure you arrive on time, treat your workmates with respect and dress appropriately. Ensure that you are hard-working and industrious in the tasks that you are assigned.
3. Get involved in team activities. Ensure that you don’t exclude yourself from the rest of the team or take on an outsider role. Demonstrate a keen attitude towards the organisation and its culture.
4. Stay in contact with your recruiter. Advise them of updates and offer them feedback on the progression of your contract. If they are aware of how well you performed and are reminded when your contract is ending, your recruitment company will have the chance to seek out a similar suitable contract for you.
5. Keep up the highest possible standards of excellence. Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile to stand out and remember – you are only as good as your last assignment. Maintaining a high level at all times will indicate the level you wish to reach in your career.
6. Ask for a referral. As long as you have carefully observed the above tips, you are guaranteed a favourable referral from the manager in your current contract. Don’t be afraid to ask your manager to be your referee when the role has come to an end as this will help to no end when it comes to securing future contracts.
Do not:
1. Waste time on your phone. Avoid visiting Facebook or Twitter and the like. Don’t take personal calls whilst in the workplace – wait until your lunch break.
2. Misuse your email or internet privileges. Make sure you aren’t wasting time on sites like Reddit or sending personal emails to catch up with friends and family from your work email account.
3. Become entrenched in the politics of your workplace. Maintain a neutral stance at all times; this will indicate that you are professional and will inspire trust in your workmates.
4. Leave on a sour note. Burning one’s bridges is never a good idea, really. Make sure that you leave a favourable impression on your employers.
Getting into the habit of adopting these dos will help enormously when it comes to achieving an excellent reputation in the world of contracting. Avoiding the don’ts will help prevent you from getting into bad habits that can negatively impact your next contracting position.
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