According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 3.8% of employed people in May 2017 held contingent jobs. These workers are defined as people who do not expect their jobs to last or who report that their jobs are temporary, as in the case of contract workers. As a contract worker, you move among projects and clients to earn a living. You enjoy taking on multiple projects, providing exceptional service and having a regular income. However, you also face challenges such as making quick assessments of whom you want to work with and learning how to stay on schedule when clients don’t always provide the required resources.

To keep efficiently moving forward, follow this checklist to secure your next contract position.

Clearly State Your Qualifications 

Be direct and honest about your qualifications. Since contact work involves a lot of requirements and trust, you need to be as transparent as possible. Be clear about your level of expertise in the top skills required for the contract position. Otherwise, if you get hired for the project and are unable to fulfill the duties, you risk damaging your professional reputation. You also could face legal issues for not fulfilling contract requirements.

Clarify Expectations

Get in writing exactly what’s expected of you in your contract role. Include logistical details such as the duration of the project, how many hours per week or month you’re expected to work, and your total compensation. Knowing all the details ensures you’re all on the same page. Find out what is needed and when along with the context behind it. This includes your ultimate goal, how it connects to the big picture and why it’s important.

Agree on Compensation

Negotiate fair compensation that fits the scope of the work, your needs, and the client’s budget. Both you and the client need to be comfortable with the compensation to create a good working relationship and be productive. You need to have confidence in your abilities and recognize the value you bring to the client. When determining your rates, account for the time it takes to acquire clients, provide estimates, draw up contracts, and stay organized with managing invoices, schedules and other responsibilities. When securing another contract from a client who sees the value in your work, ask for higher compensation.

Sign a Contract

Always sign a contract before beginning work. The most effective protection for your work relationship is a contract listing your primary duties, performance expectations, and financial compensation. The contract also should include your range of work dates and deadlines, payment structure and ownership of work produced. Exclusivity or non-exclusivity clauses, kill fees, responsibility for indemnity against future loss and other pertinent information should be noted as well.

Find Your Next Contract Position

Find your next municipal contract position through MuniTemps. We help you navigate a municipality’s personnel policies, civil service regulations and recruiting procedures to increase your chances of being considered for a position. See which jobs you’d like to apply for today. Check out our job board!