Why you should consider contracting, as a graduate

After graduating, traditional practice is to go in search of a full-time, permanent role with a company that offers career progression and security. But nowadays, many graduates are opting for a different route.

Contracting offers many potential benefits to new graduates. It gives you a chance to get your foot in the door of the sector you want to work in, it’s flexible, and it offers you the opportunity to gain a breadth of experience. Also, it can be highly lucrative.

So what exactly is contracting, and why should you consider it as a graduate?

Why companies hire contractors.

Simply put, contractors work for a company for a set period of time on a specific project under a fixed contract. These contracts can last from a few weeks to a few months depending on the business’ requirements. Companies hire in this way for many reasons, such as to fulfil a short-term need, or because they don’t have sufficient resources to hire a permanent employee. You’ll find contracting opportunities in a wide variety of businesses, from start-ups to large multinationals.

For contract work, hiring managers typically have a very set idea of the type of person they are looking for, including their previous experiences and skills. They’ll want someone who can hit the ground running from day one.

It’s clear that contracting offers many benefits for companies looking to hire in a more flexible way. But what’s in it for graduates?

Why contracting is a great option for graduates.

First up, it will give you greater freedom than a 9-5 position. If you want to take time off to travel the world, you can do so without handing in your notice – you may even be able to work remotely. And you’ll be able to afford it – because contractors require less on-boarding investment and can add value quickly, companies tend to pay a premium for their services.

What’s more, you’ll quickly build up a broad and varied portfolio of work which will look great on your CV. And instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, contracting gives you the opportunity to explore different industries and workplace cultures before settling on a permanent home.

So, it’s clear there are many reasons to consider contracting as a graduates. How can graduates set themselves up for success when seeking contracting work?

How to find contracting work as a graduate.

The first step to starting your career as a contractor is to find out what kinds of opportunity are available in your sector. If you’re not sure which sector to search in, check out our guide here. What skills are companies in these industries looking for? Have you got the right qualifications to meet their requirements?

Once you’ve established the basics, it’s time to get your CV in order. Tailor your skills, experiences, and accomplishments to make sure you stand out from the crowd.

The iContract platform is providing a great service for contractors, either established or first-timers. By creating a contracting network where users can search and apply for contract roles based on both their skill-set and personal requirements, it also provides contractors with a means to network by connecting with fellow peers, which can lead to new opportunities being created by word-of-mouth.

Contracting offers a plethora of benefits for graduates. Why not give it a try?

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Kate Jones writes for Inspiring Interns, which specialises in finding candidates their perfect internship. To browse our graduate jobs, visit our website.