What does “contracting” mean?

When contracting you are in effect self employed and are offering your services to someone else for a fixed period of time. When this period of time or “contract” is over, you are obliged to leave the company, unless they wish to renew the contract with you for a further stipulated period of time. You do not have to take the extension to the contract on offer and can leave the place of work. You need to provide your own insurance, sick pay and holiday pay as you cannot claim this from the contract client. However, on average contractors earn 30-35% more income than those in a perm posting and this higher income more than covers for your lack of sick or holiday pay.

The UK Contracting market is like no other in that it is extremely active, on average the IT Contracting Job Market is 40% with the remaining 60% for permanent employment. View Job Stats

Generally contracts are for 3 months and in many cases are renewed, usually with an increase in rate. Contractors may choose not to renew a contract and move onto a different job. Contracting is far more flexible then permanent employment with many advantages, however contracting might not suit everyone, contractors are highly skilled, self motivated and ambitious people. If you're looking for a safe, simple job then contracting won't work. If you want to learn, develop your skills, career, prospects, earn more and become a professional IT contractor, get started by sending us your CV.