Do you want independence, flexibility and the right to surf on Fridays?

 

It’s estimated that 30 percent of the industrial world’s workforce is now employed as contractors or flexible workers. While there are no precise statistics available for New Zealand, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that approximately 25 percent of the Australian workforce is currently on contract or considered temporary staff.

In 2011, the number of people opting to call themselves professional contractors is on the increase and it’s easy to see why.

Companies are serious about being fiscally sensible. More than ever, they are battening down the hatches and focusing on their core business. Then for everything from HR, to project management, or for a oneoff IT project, these same companies are contracting in a professional to deliver – and then leave.

On the other side of the desk, many individuals now prefer contracting as their dedicated career path. The reasons are many from wanting to have a real life outside he office to realising that professional contractors can earn 25 percent more than their permanently tethered office colleagues.

So if your goal is to work four days a week and on the fifth day, surf – read on because the moment of the professional hired-gun has arrived.

Frog Recruitment’s Director, Jane Kennelly reports they have a large cluster of professional contractors or “portfolio
workers” and it’s rare for these individuals to accept a permanent placement. “We have a growing group of professionals aged 30 to 55 years of age who are highly skilled in say, HR consulting, payroll management, business analysis or project management. They want the freedom, flexibility and stimulus that the everchanging
contract work lifestyle provides,” says Jane Kennelly.

Kennelly adds that it’s thanks to the likes of LinkedIn that skilled professionals and those looking to use their services are building communities to find each other when the need arises.

Dave Hopkins came from Mayo, West of Ireland and is now a professional contractor in New Zealand. Nine years ago, he and his wife arrived while on their OE.

“We wanted to get away from our average jobs, have a holiday – and we’ve ended up never leaving New Zealand.”
Dave Hopkins is now firmly part of that new breed of professional contractor. With a university degree in science, Dave takes on contracts that revolve around managing people in projects.

“The reason I became a contractor is that I don’t like working for a ‘boss.’ So I thought what can I do to stop having
bosses? The answers were either to set up my own business, or create a business where I’m the product I am selling.”

Dave is quick to emphasise that contracting for him is a mental thing. “I go to work each day thinking I’m working for myself but in reality, I still have to deliver, I still have to report and perform and someone definitely pays me.”
In the past four years, Dave has completed seven contracts in organisations as diverse as pharmaceuticals, software design, shipping logistics, education and telecommunications. The bulk of Dave’s contracting work revolves around project and quality management assignments.

Apart from a better hourly rate, being a professional contractor allows Dave to do the school runs and be on call to pick up a sick child. “I can leave my desk pretty easily at a moment’s notice, unlike my wife who’s a full time HR Director for a multinational,” said Dave.

Dave says he gets his contracts via wordof-mouth and his recruitment company, Frog Recruitment.

Dave Hopkins’ advice for budding professional contractors:

• Be able to sell yourself:
There is no room for modesty as you are the commodity and a company won’t contract you unless they think you can deliver the goods. Typically, a contracting company will meet with you only after the recruitment agency has done the hard work to assure the client you are the contractor with the suitable credentials.

• Turn up on day one ready to go:
Arrive with your own equipment from pens, paper to laptop. Remember you’re not an employee, so it’s up to you to hit the ground running. This includes being prepared to find your own phone and workspace – it’s unfair to expect employee treatment as the company is paying you a good rate, so make it easy for them.

• Service, service:
Ultimately, it is all about the service you provide. Your current contracting company is your next reference. Any value you can add on daily basis will benefit you in the long run. Your first question should never be, “What time is your lunch break?” You’re the hired gun and you should be ready to get on and deliver.

• Take out professional indemnity insurance:
It’s quite expensive at approximately $2,000 a year but some recruitment companies will not contract your services out unless you are covered for any major boo-boos.

Dave’s final piece of advice is:
Don’t look for hugs and kisses from your contracting employers. You are an independent, so don’t expect to be part of the social club or even to be invited out for a drink. You are there for your expertise and to deliver on time. It’s a case of always remembering that you are a separate entity – adapt to this mindset and you’ll do well.