Six questions to ask yourself if you want to become an IT contractor

Feeling unfulfilled in your current career? Are you looking for a change from the same routine every day

The good news is that there's a growing demand for people like you. Tech contractors are in high demand as businesses seek skilled professionals to handle short-term projects without adding them to the payroll.

If you’re a qualified tech expert, this could be a great opportunity to explore. However, before pursuing this path further, it's important to ask yourself if IT contracting is truly the right fit for you.

Here are six questions to help you decide whether IT contracting is for you.

Questions to consider before becoming a tech contractor

1. Am I ready to run a business?

A Hays poll of contractors on LinkedIn revealed that flexibility is the top advantage of contracting over permanent employment. By choosing a career in IT contracting, you'll have greater control over your work-life balance and the projects you take on. In essence, you’ll be your own boss. If you're not enjoying your current role or working with your manager, this might seem like an appealing solution.

However, it’s not all about flexible hours and easy money. While you'll have more freedom, you’ll also take on significantly more responsibility. This will require a solid understanding of marketing and branding, strong organisational skills, and the ability to stay focused. As an IT contractor, you'll be responsible for:

Managing your accounts: You'll need to keep track of receipts and expenses to ensure your accounts are up to date.
Paying taxes correctly: This means consistently filing the correct paperwork on time.
Securing new projects: While IT contractors can earn more, that’s only possible if you’re able to find and work enough projects.
Promoting your services: Are you comfortable with networking and building your personal brand on platforms like LinkedIn?

2. Am I flexible and versatile?

Another benefit of becoming an IT contractor is the opportunity to work with a variety of technologies as you transition between different projects and organisations. This exposure can be extremely valuable for developing both your skills and your CV, while the constant variety of challenges helps keep your work engaging and exciting.

However, this path is best suited to individuals who are adaptable. You’ll need to be a quick learner, able to rapidly familiarise yourself with different software and IT systems. Additionally, you’ll need to grasp new business processes as you move between projects.

3. Do I need to be part of a team?

While some IT contractor roles may involve working with others, the nature of these relationships will differ from those in permanent employment. If you're currently part of a close-knit team or department, this shift may take some time to adjust to. In comparison to a permanent role, you might feel more isolated, particularly if you prefer to work outside of regular hours.

However, there are advantages to this setup. You'll be able to avoid office politics, and if you don't have a good relationship with certain individuals, you’ll only need to interact with them for a limited time. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to connect with other IT contractors, many of whom could become valuable contacts in your professional network and potentially help you secure your next project.

4. Can I be diligent in finding new work?

Being an IT contractor means regularly searching for new work, often while still fulfilling your current project responsibilities. Staying motivated to do this consistently isn't something that suits everyone.

There are several strategies to make this process easier, such as partnering with a recruiter who specialises in finding IT contractor roles on a daily basis. Another effective approach is building and maintaining relationships within your network. It's also crucial to stay on good terms with past clients, as they may offer future opportunities. Would you consider this one of your strengths?

5. Am I someone who can self-promote?

As your own boss, promoting your business is your responsibility, and it’s something you’ll need to do regularly. What does this involve?

Building and maintaining a personal brand on LinkedIn and actively engaging with individuals who can help connect you to the right opportunities.
Keeping your recruitment partner informed about your availability and skills.
Crafting CVs that effectively showcase your abilities.
Selling yourself in interviews by emphasising what makes you stand out from the competition.

6. How will I upskill?

Working on a variety of projects is an excellent way to expand your skillset. However, to be selected for these projects, your clients must trust that you’re capable of handling the work.

As technology continues to evolve, contractors must keep their skills current to remain competitive and secure new projects. Upskilling in areas like AI is a common example of this.

Without access to an employer’s training resources, how will you keep your skills up to date? While there are plenty of learning materials available – such as those covering how to use Microsoft’s Copilot for data analysis – you’ll need to be proactive in finding these resources and commit to learning on your own time.

What next?

We hope that asking yourself these questions has helped you determine whether IT contracting is the right fit for you.

As the next step, take a look through the typical rates IT contractors can command in our IT Contractor Rates Guide, or discover the key soft, or human, skills IT Contractors should cultivate. We also recommend speaking with individuals who have experience as IT contractors to gain deeper insights into what the role entails. These could be people you know personally or members of online IT contracting forums, which can provide valuable information and advice.

If you want to see what sort of IT contractor jobs are out there, you can search our opportunities here.

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