How to Become a Computer Contractor

Although this is geared to Computer Contracting, many of the pointers below will work for other types of contracting.

You’ll need to decide on a few things first.

• Mainframe or PC. Unless you have an unusual skill-set, you’ll want to concentrate on either Mainframe or PC work.
• Experience. You probably need a couple of years experience in one of the following roles: -
  • Programmer/Analyst
  • DBA
  • Systems Programmer
  • Data Entry Clerk
  • Network Analyst
  • Business Analyst
  • Technical Writer
  • Coder
  • Tester

As an Independent, you will be letting go of a certain amount of stability. Make sure that you’re ready for this. Be prepared to change locations, colleagues, obsolete work habits. Also be prepared to hit the ground running, to produce more than a regular employee with less training. A few companies (not many) will treat you like a second-class citizen. You need to get your own health and possibly liability insurance. Be prepared to be unemployed at short notice.

On the other hand, you’ll be paid more than a regular employee. You’ll learn new skills, including how to find a job. Life will become more interesting. Don’t get involved in office politics, because, if you do, you’ll be at a disadvantage.

I’ve spent a couple of paragraphs on trying to give you a feel for consulting because, truly, your mindset is the most important factor, whether you do this for a short time or a lifetime.

There are several flavors of consulting/contracting.

• You can work for a consulting firm. This way, you’ll get to work in different companies, and the consulting firm may give you medical insurance, a supply of jobs, and may even pay you between contracts. You won’t get paid as much as an independent.
• As a sub-contractor, you work for an agency, and the agency takes a cut of your money, but guarantees that you get paid regularly. You take care of the rest. Most, but not all, agencies are helpful and honest.
• As a complete independent, you do your own marketing and completely take care of yourself. I don’t recommend this until you have a lot of experience.

Ok, you’re ready to start.

• Try to have two months operating capital when you start. I had none, but I was lucky. From the above paragraphs, get a general idea of which way you’re going to proceed. But be flexible. Above all, if you’re going to be a consultant, be flexible. Get your resume up to date. You may want several flavors of resume (team lead, programmer analyst, and tester.) You’re probably going to contract in your local area, since relocation poses extra problems for the novice.
• Go online and post your resume with a job search agency. If you don’t know of any, a search engine will turn up dozens. List your skills, and apply for independent or W2 jobs. If you go corp-to-corp, you’ll need to be incorporated. There are online companies that will help you incorporate if you go this route. If you’re serious about contracting, become familiar with online job search, and get to know your local recruiters in addition to the big national and global firms. Set up a search at the job search site, and you can have results emailed to you at regular intervals. I’d suggest daily, because the best contracts go fast.
• If this is your first contract, stress in your resume that you are a self-starter and a quick learner. Write down every skill you have. As you get more experience you can edit and prune.

Sit back and wait for the money to roll in.