Colum McGrath’s Post

Curious about job stability in contracting? With the rise of flexible work, contracting has opened new paths to career growth, skill development, and stability. This article explores practical strategies for building a steady career in contracting without sacrificing long-term security. https://lnkd.in/gJu6Mgg3 #contracting #CareerDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment

Wednesday Recruitment Tip 👩🏫 🌟 Attention all new contractors! 🌟 Stepping into the world of contracting roles can be both exciting and challenging. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate this dynamic career path: Understand the contract: Take the time to thoroughly review the terms of your contract, including the scope of work, duration, and payment terms. Clear communication and alignment with your client are key. Build your network: Networking is crucial in the contracting world. Connect with other contractors, industry professionals, and potential clients to expand your opportunities and stay informed about market trends. Embrace flexibility: Contracting roles often offer flexibility in terms of work hours, location, and projects. Embrace this flexibility and be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances and client needs. Manage your finances: As a contractor, you are responsible for managing your own finances, including taxes, insurance, and retirement savings. Consider seeking advice from a financial advisor to ensure you're setting yourself up for long-term success. Deliver results: In the world of contracting, your reputation is everything. Focus on delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and exceeding client expectations to build a strong reputation and secure future opportunities. Remember, contracting roles can be incredibly rewarding for those who are proactive, adaptable, and committed to delivering excellence. Best of luck on your contracting journey! 🚀 #ContractingTips #CareerAdvice #NewBeginnings #Contractors

Contract work is not everyone’s cup of tea. It takes a unique set of traits to succeed in this unique kind of role. From my experience, the best contractors all have the following traits: → Self-confidence The best contractors believe in themselves and their skills. Even if they have a contract expiring in nine months, they aren’t concerned. Because they believe in themselves enough to know something will come up. → Independence For most contractors, you couldn’t pay them enough to stay under one roof. They need to work independently. Because of this, they’ll find a way to make it work. → High competence Most contractors don’t know if they have a job in six months. Which means they have an incentive to be the best at what they do. And as a result, they make more money than their salaried peers. → Risk tolerance Contracting is high on risk and light on guarantees. While the best contractors can mitigate that risk (for example, working with a staffing agency to source more work), it’s always there. They get real comfortable with it. → Indispensability Most employers are scared of their top contractors winning the lotto. Because these contractors know how to make themselves indispensable to the organization. → Diverse experiences Contractors like to engage in a variety of work. This enables them to bring a diverse range of experiences to the table, think creatively, and spur innovation within organizations. What have I missed? Any other traits that set top contractors apart from the crowd?

Been eyeing contract roles from your full-time desk? 👀 We get it – making the switch can feel like stepping into the unknown. But what if we told you contract work could be your career's secret weapon? (Spoiler: better rates, more experience, AND benefits!) Peek behind the curtain in our latest blog post and see what the contract life is really all about. No sugar coating, just straight talk from the folks who know: https://lnkd.in/e3fgGPUN

Happy Friday from the team at Contractor Circle 😀 We've been busy chatting away to a number of contractors this week right at the start of their contracting journey or about to take the plunge. This got us chatting about what the key indicators are that someone might be ready to start contracting... Skills and Experience: Your skillset is your greatest asset in the contracting world. If you find that your expertise is in high demand, it’s a strong indicator that you’re ready to become a contractor. High demand can lead to more opportunities and the ability to command higher rates, boosting your income significantly. Where there's a will there's a way!: Having a strong motivation for transitioning to contracting is essential. It’s not merely a job change; it’s a strategic decision. Successful contractors typically have a clear purpose, whether it’s to maximise their earnings or gain the freedom to shape their work-life balance. If your primary goal is to have greater control over your time and lifestyle, it’s likely a good sign that you’re ready to take the leap into contracting. Get in-the know: Before making the jump, invest time in researching your new role and the responsibilities it entails, including the legal and industry-specific norms in your field. Understanding how roles are assessed for IR35 and how you might get paid for your contracting role is also imperative. Our friendly team is here to give you a view of the market when you come to look at limited company or umbrella options. Something to try: One effective way to assess the market for your skills is to post your CV online and observe the responses from recruitment specialists. This can provide insight into demand and help you gauge your readiness for contracting! If you think that contracting might be in your future, you can start to think about and prepare for your transition (even while still in permanent employment) by using some useful tips above.

FAQ Wednesday ! I've made a list of questions that have came up recently from employers and job seekers. These questions revolve around the best way to approach a contractor and what type of contracts will be attractive to a contractor. If anyone has any further questions feel free to get in touch at s.hennebry@brightwater.ie. #FAQ #ContractingIreland #IrishContractor

Are most contractors ultimately looking to secure a permanent role? Not necessarily. Many contractors value the flexibility and diverse opportunities that contracting provides. At Taylor Root, we understand each contractor's unique career goals and match them with suitable opportunities. Learn more about our approach: https://lnkd.in/gWDY6Ugw #Contracting #CareerGoals #TaylorRoot

A question I often get when meeting new connections is: "What do you do?" 🤔 After sharing that I work in recruitment within the contracting space, the typical response is will always be along the lines of: "Contracting? Why?" And in the typical Singlish, 'Contract job got people want to do one meh?' 😅 Without a doubt, there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding contracting 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 🚫 This is one of the most common assumptions I hear. In reality, contracting spans across all industries and skill levels. From administrative roles to senior positions in tech, banking, and finance—contract opportunities exist at almost every level. In fact, many project managers and specialists prefer contract work for its flexibility and focus on specialized projects. 💼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 💰 Many people think contractors earn less, but they can sometimes earn more than full-time employees, especially in project-based roles. While contractors may not receive the same benefits as full-timers, their hourly or project rates are sometimes higher to make up for that difference. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 🚀 On the contrary, contracting can actually enhance your career by helping you diversify your skill set and gain valuable experience across different industries. Many professionals use contract roles as a stepping stone to full-time positions, either within the same company or elsewhere. It’s a great way to expand your network and broaden your expertise. 🌱 These are just a few of the common myths I’ve encountered through conversations with candidates/ peers, and I hope I’ve been able to clear them up! The contracting space offers a wealth of opportunities for both job seekers and employers, and the potential is truly limitless. 🌍 As we approach the end of 2024, if you're considering a career change or looking to re-enter the workforce in this challenging market, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help you explore your next career move. 🤝 TGIF! Wishing everyone a great weekend ahead! 🥳

It’s Time to Build Your Portfolio Career Instead of Just a Single Career! In today’s dynamic job market, contracting jobs are becoming increasingly popular. As Rachel Yeo shared, there are many more benefits to contracting. Whether you’re looking for more control over your work life, seeking diverse experiences, or aiming to boost your income, contracting jobs offer numerous advantages. Consider exploring this path to see how it can benefit your career! Contact Syazwani Hamid Rebekah Kok if you're exploring contracting options in Malaysia. #InterimWorkforce #ContractingJob #ContigentWorkforce

Can you afford to NOT use a contractor? Work-life balance is so important to everyone, especially with the rising return to office model, busy season etc. However, have you considered the cost of increased workload over busy season and what it could mean to you in January? Many finance and accounting professionals at all levels feel the increased workload, greater pressure, strict deadlines etc not forgetting the 50+ hour weeks. Utilizing a contractor will reduce the workload stress on any given individual, especially when it comes to clearing backlog, 2025 budgeting, system projects etc. The effects ........ A greater level of role satisfaction, work-life balance and realistic hours. End result ........ No emotional reaction and increased employee retention. My question to any Manager, Director, VP or C-Suite within Finance/Accounting Can you afford to lose your top talent in January because they felt overwhelmed or stressed due to workload? ARO Search have a contract solution offering full payroll management which is compliant in every state. With an immediately available talent pool, why would you risk losing talent, when we have contractors ready to start an assignment!? Want to know more about our contract solution? 📧 matt@arosearch.com 📞 305-539-0502 Or visit our website: http://arosearch.com/ and view our 'talent library'. #opentowork #hiring #contractorsolutions #interim