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Secrets for Contracting Success: part 2

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Steven Baker has been contracting as a software tester in the retail banking sector for the past six years. It was on his daily commute from Edinburgh to Glasgow that the native New Zealander decided to produce a top tips guide for new and experienced contractors.

We begin the second part of our interview by asking what contractors can do to secure their next project assignment…


My CV isn’t getting noticed. What can I do to improve my interview chances?

SB: Your CV may be sitting in someone’s inbox along with 500 others. Take the initiative and contact the recruiter by phone. This could lead to your CV being noticed and added to the shortlist. I was told by one recruiter that if they have to present five good CVs, they’ll wade through the applications until they’ve got them and delete the rest – without even looking at the others. Your CV has to be up to the required standard for the contract role and if you’re not getting any calls, you need to be more proactive in your job hunt.

How do I stand out during the interview itself?

SB: I believe interviews are more about whether you are a good fit for the team on a personal as well as professional level. It isn’t all about your skills, though the questions are often competency-based. You will be potentially working with the interviewers so making a good first impression is very important. They want to see what kind of person you are and whether they could work with you. It works both ways of course. Make sure you show some genuine interest in the project, their business, and how you can help them achieve their goals. Background reading or research helps, and don’t forget to ask some insightful questions about the assignment at the end. It shows that you’ve been listening and are genuinely interested.

Why is having the right attitude so important? 

SB: There’s a certain standard expected of the contractor. Someone who complains a lot, doesn’t put in much effort, or stops when they hit an obstacle, lacks this professionalism. That creates a liability for a project. You don’t get hired to be taken under someone’s wing or micro-managed. You are expected to deliver and (depending on the role you do) work independently to achieve pre-set objectives. A great attitude allows someone to push through obstacles and get the job done by putting in the necessary effort.

Would you recommend working abroad?

SB: Gaining experience from different projects and countries [Steven’s career has taken him to Sydney, Dublin, London, Glasgow and Edinburgh] is a fantastic eye-opener as you appreciate new ways of doing things. The things you learn from different ways of working and cultures add considerably to your repertoire. I’ve then brought those ideas with me into other contract assignments. It has also been beneficial on a personal level, as you are able to take your skills around the world and work in different places, without messing people around by getting a permanent job and quitting when you want to move on. Working in certain parts of the world can only be beneficial, for example, Silicon Valley or Wall Street could be perfect for IT or finance contractors respectively. If you’re a specialist finance software contractor, you can follow projects around the world and continue compounding your experience in that specialisation.

Finally, what would you change about contracting?

SB: More flexibility would suit me to the ground. As a software tester, I generally have to be co-located with other project workers most of the time, and tied to ‘day rate’ payment terms. A task with a deadline to complete in my own time – like a fixed price job – would be ideal. I’d be able to take on multiple projects simultaneously and potentially bring in additional people and build my business. This is all just pie in the sky thinking though. Being location independent would be a wonderful feature as well, though many contractors in other industries already enjoy this benefit.

We’d love to hear your thoughts so please share your experiences. If you have any other questions for Steven, please let us know.

You can buy the book here

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