Increased earning potential lures self-starters to IT

Increased earning potential lures self-starters to IT contracting

A greater earning potential is behind the rising number of IT professionals turning to a career in contracting, says recruiting experts Hays.

According to findings in the first Hays Information Technology Contracting Recruitment & Rates Guide, released today and containing rates for 50 roles in 11 locations across Australia & New Zealand, 75 per cent of IT contractors say the top benefit of this form of working is the increased earning potential it offers.

This is followed by flexibility (67 per cent), experience (54 per cent), making new contacts (50 per cent) and skills development (45 per cent).

Anecdotal feedback echoes these findings with one survey respondent summing contracting up as “a license to practice anywhere”. Feedback also evidenced the preference for being distanced from office politics as well as the “burden” of performance appraisals.

Meanwhile when selecting their next assignment it is the rate on offer that’s most important to 78 per cent of contractors, closely followed by the quality of the project or work (74 per cent), the length of the contract (68 per cent), the ability to extend skills (58 per cent) and the reputation of the employer or organisation (55 per cent).

Almost half (44 per cent) have been contracting for five or more years, proving IT contracting has longevity as a career.

To sustain long-term contracting success, contractors need to be ahead of the trends and be familiar with upcoming technologies. They must be able to learn quickly (88 per cent), be adaptable and professional (both 87 per cent), able to hit the ground running (82 per cent) and have respect for an organisation’s culture and people (75 per cent).

88 per cent would recommend contracting to others.

“While money talks and higher day rates are the key factor attracting more people to contracting, the flexibility and ability to take control of their own career is also alluring,” says Jason Walker, Managing Director of Hays in New Zealand.

“Rapid technological advances are a sign of our time, but they’ve left many employers scrambling to deliver IT and business transformation projects as quickly as possible in order to stay relevant.

“In such an environment, it’s no wonder that contractors are now viewed by employers as an ideal flexible resource to help them deliver projects and add technical skills in areas where a team is falling short.”

Contractors ensure organisations access the skills they need, when they need them, without the long-term commitment of a permanent hire. They offer employers the agility to adapt to immediate pressures and demands without adding to permanent headcount.

Jason explains, “This ability to access highly-skilled professionals on-demand and as needed, whether on a temporary, contract or contingent basis, is certainly the main factor behind the rapid rise in the use of non-permanent staff over recent years.”

This flexibility allows organisations to meet the myriad of changing requirements faced, while delivering value, as employers only pay for the hours worked.

Alongside the survey findings, the Hays Information Technology Contracting Recruitment & Rates Guide offers client charge rates for 50 roles across Digital & Software Development, Projects & Business Change and IT Operations & Support.

To download the Guide, please visit: http://www.hays.net.nz/it-contracting

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