Helping our employees source their next contract

Finding your first or next contract as an Umbrella employee can be daunting, but fear not! In this blog the expert team here at SG Umbrella will take you through their top tips on finding your next gig, and give you advice on how to find your future contracts.

Tailor your CV to sell yourself and your skill set

Contractor positions don’t hang around for long before they’re filled, so ensure your CV is eye-catching, and gets your skills and experience across to any prospective clients quickly and efficiently. Include a brief outline of your personal profile, your professional skills, qualifications, and experience. Be sure to showcase any of your experience where you’ve worked on a similar contract to the one you’re applying for, or if the client will be of interest to the new client.

Use recruitment agencies to find contracts

Recruitment agencies are a fantastic place to start, as you’re able to take a quick scan through their available contracts and see if there’s anything of interest. Ensure you also share your CV with them and register what types of contracts and clients you’re interested in. Set yourself reminders to keep in regular contact with them, so that you’re fresh in their mind when new contracts become available, and you’ll be at the top of their list.

We also strongly suggest discussing your contract requirements with your SG Umbrella accountant, who will be able to provide you with a list of approved recruitment agencies that specialise in your professional field.

Job sites

Ensure you register your CV and interest with various contractor job sites. One fantastic place to start is the ContractorUK job search.

Network with your contracting colleagues

Building a network of contracting colleagues is a great way to find future contracts. You may find a colleague that knows a client who’s looking for someone with your skill set, or they might have been offered something they can’t take for whatever reason, and can pass the contract onto you. Connecting with other contractors expands your search tools even further, and builds a stronger network.

If you’re just starting out and are yet to have your own network, you can speak to others on contractor forums. Here you can ask which clients are hiring, ask for advice on helping with your CV, and if there’s anything you need to be aware of in the current hiring market.

You can also join professional groups on LinkedIn, which offer the same style of networking.

Get in touch with previous clients

It’s worth keeping an eye on previous client projects, as there may be an upcoming job which you can put yourself forward for. They know your skills and how you work, and will be more likely to use you based on their previous experience from working with you, than hiring a new contractor they’ve never worked with before.

Showcase your skills online

Your LinkedIn profile is a great place to go into more detail about your experience, the previous contracts you’ve completed, and show off reviews from past clients. But if you’re looking for a place where you can go into greater detail about your work then it might be worth creating your own personal website. By having a site you’re communicating to the client that you’re serious about your career, and are able to show off exactly what you like.

Ensure you have a whole page that’s dedicated to client reviews, you your previous work can speak for itself.

How SG Umbrella can help

The team here at SG are able to offer you help and support when it comes to sourcing your next contract. Simply get in touch with SG Umbrella and they will be able to guide you further.