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| CURRENT SECTION :: First Timers Guide | UK's most visited IT Contractor Site - 250k unique visitors March 2008 |
 
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The majority of IT contractors use Internet sites (such as Jobserve and Technojobs) to find vacancies posted by recruitment agencies. Some contractors may choose to work direct for clients, rather than via agencies. To help you search for your ideal job our contract search facility enables you to search all the major contract sites simultaneously. Click here to begin your search The Internet is the perfect medium to use for job hunting - a wide number of search engines will provide you with access to the majority of contract vacancies on offer at any given time. Type in the type of work you are looking for and the location, then scan the results for roles you are interested in. Once you have found a contract which appeals to you, simply email your CV via the search engine to the agency advertising the role and follow up with a phone call to emphasise your interest in the job. It is worth expressing an interest in a number of similar roles to improve your chances of securing the right job. Agencies are often bombarded with CV's for popular contracts, so telephone contact will improve your chances of getting an interview. Persistence will do you no harm. There are a couple of things to be aware of when searching for jobs online. Many clients will have a number of 'preferred suppliers' (agencies acting on their behalf), so you are more than likely to see the same job posted several times on the major job boards with different reference numbers. The recruitment industry has also come in for some criticism for posting 'phantom vacancies' - false jobs with widespread appeal, the sole aim being to capture a large number of fresh CV's with minimal financial outlay. There are also 'contract direct' sites which aim to place contractors in touch with clients directly, often charging less commission than traditional agencies, so you should check these sites out as well. Additionally Contractor UK launched Contractor Alliance to promote working direct (via introductions through other members) and teaming up with fellow members to broaden your options. You may not have as much choice over the location of your first contract, so you must be flexible as far as possible. If you are based in South London, you may need to travel to Brighton, or North London, for example. Again, the role may not be an exact match to your skillset, but this is the nature of contracting - the more experience you have as a contractor, the fussier you can be. Don't be afraid to push for the rate you want. Although there are market-driven guidelines to average rates per skill area, clients will pay up for the right person. For a guide to market rates, try our Market Stats section. If you find work through an agency, find out what commission they charge (typically 20% or thereabouts). If the client won't pay any more for your services, maybe the agency should give up some of their commission! Most contracts are 6 months in duration. Of course, there are some shorter term roles available, but few will be for longer than 12 months. Most contractors will also have had a series of renewals during their careers, so you may find yourself at the same location for several years if this suits. Further reading: Top 10 Recruitment Agency Tips Previous Page
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