Contracting is highly competitive, especially right now when, due to recent volatility in the jobs market, there are many people out there looking for opportunities as well as businesses trying to find short term solutions to meet staff and growth needs. But waiting for a contract to be advertised can waste time and lead to missed opportunities. Instead, why not get on the front foot, make yourself known and in doing so, maximise your exposure to new contracts as they arise. Here are five key tips to get yourself out there: 1. Network. You know the expression, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” … or in many cases who you don’t know yet, that will provide the opportunities. So, with an eye for the industries you want to be involved with, join professional associations, attend events and launches, and connect with the appropriate people on LinkedIn. Start networking and you’ll find out more about companies and roles – you’ll work out which ones are the best fit for you and you’ll be able to impress prospective employers. 2. Talk to recruiters. There’s nothing better for a recruiter than to have a candidate in mind when a client calls in a briefing for a new contractor. It can save time, the cost of advertising and help the employer drive their business forward faster. So, pick up the phone and arrange a meeting with recruiters working in your space. Introduce yourself, present your thoroughly prepared resume and promote your expertise. 3. Go direct. Many companies will hold their file of potential contractors -people who’ve applied for roles in the past, people they’ve met via networking, previous contractors etc. So why not get yourself in the file too? Do your research, tailor your resume to meet the company’s needs and present it – either via an introductory phone call or better still a face-to-face meeting. 4. Gain relevant experience. If you’re looking to break into an entirely new area, you’re going to need to demonstrate that you can do it. What better way than to volunteer your services to an organisation or grab hold of an unpaid internship. In this way, you’ll work out whether it’s the area that’s best suited for you, and if it is, you’ll gain the necessary experience to demonstrate your commitment and knowledge to a prospective employer. It could even be the case that the company you volunteer your time for will take you on, either straight away or in the future. Need help? Contact the Ayers Group The last 18 months have presented a rocky road for contractors, but right now there are plenty of opportunities out there as companies rebuild. The trick is to be the early bird when it comes to identifying contractor opportunities. At the Ayers Group, we can connect you with recruiters and free you to pursue new opportunities by helping manage your contractor administration, maintain your legal compliance and grow your wealth. Talk to an expert at the Ayers Group today.