Find below the benefits of becoming a .Net contractor, why you might want to become one and how much you might earn.
Basically the benefits are very simple: higher daily rate and the fact .net contractors are very much in demand. Very few large corporates are hiring fulltime employees, they are instead turning to the contract market to fulfill positions which is fuelling the high .net daily rate. However, before we go on further let’s start at the beginning.
What is .Net?
In plains terms, .Net is a popular Microsoft programme. It allows users the chance to use the standard .Net ‘framework’ to create, evolve and tweak new or existing software programmes and applications.
Microsoft defines .NET as “A set of Microsoft software technologies for connecting information, people, systems, and devices. It enables a high level of software integration through the use of Web services—small, discrete, building-block applications that connect to each other as well as to other, larger applications over the Internet.”
Think of .Net as a sandwhich, (a strange but relevant metaphor) a sandwhich starts with just two slices of bread and you add various fillings to make it more interesting and appealing…the same idea applies to the .Net programme. The basic framework of .Net gives you the initial ‘ingredients’ needed for developing your own software application, you then use the tools from .Net to change and adapt the application how you want.
So how does this benefit you? Why are YOU in Demand?
Why wouldn’t you be in demand? How many applications do you think have been created for PC’s and Online? Millions, so you can imagine how much work is involved in creating a software app and maintaining it. You have a skill set that would make most people dizzy! Computer coding, computer language, programme developments…very technical, and with more and more companies using the .Net programme as their choice for developing new software apps, your skills make you a glowing candidate.
Not only that, but the initial framework of .Net is constantly updated with newer versions of the system available every few months. Like any piece of technology companies are always striving to make it better, and in this case, making the programme more user friendly and bug free, giving another great opportunity for contractors to handle updates of the system when needed.
Also as a contractor you have a distinct advantage, you can choose the companies you work for and the period of time you wish to work for them. Especially as a .Net contractor the chances of getting paid a higher contractor fee in this field is a lot greater than normal contractors. The technicalities involved within this position do not make this the most popular field of contracting, yet the demand for jobs is high and still growing. From what started as a rather small job sector, the job opportunities have increased, with demand for contractors such as:
- .Net Developers
- .Net Framework
- .Net Web Developer
- .Net Programmer
What will I earn?
Daily rates are around £400 a day for .Net contractors (however obviously this can vary wildly). With regards to take home pay, if you worked through you own limited company, as most contractors do, you’ll take home anything between 70% - 75%, any accountant will tell you that working through your own limited company is the most tax efficient way possible. If you work through an umbrella company you’ll take home around 60% - 65%.
How can I get a .Net Job?
Recruiters, job boards, friends, colleagues and who knows, you may even have luck with a social/business media site like LinkedIn although be aware there are a great many job searchers and very few job offers on such sites (can you ever remember seeing a job advertised on LinkedIn), but it doesn’t hurt to keep your details up to date.
Recruitment Sites
We know using recruitment sites to search for work is the most obvious option, but not only will signing up to websites allow you to search and apply for jobs easily, companies will also be able to view your CV even if you haven’t applied for a position with them. Should they have a particular position available companies may approach you should you have the skills they need. We recommend looking at the following sites:
- Technojobs
- C# Jobs
- .Net Jobs
- SAP Jobs
So, make sure you upload your CV to recruitment sites even if you can’t see your ideal job just yet.
Your CV
Now, before you get that CV uploaded make sure you have all the essential qualities included that will make your CV stand out from the crowd, think about…
- Key Words- More and more employers are using job boards and recruitment site CV database search facilities to find candidates. If your CV doesn't include 'scannable' keywords and industry buzz words for your particular industry, your CV might not be found, despite the fact that you might be the best person for the job/contract.
- Two pages not ten- There has been lots of research on how many pages the perfect CV should have. All evidence points towards two. It's about getting the right balance between just giving enough information to ensure the client wants to find out more about you and not too much so they get bored reading it.
These are just some of the things to consider when writing your CV. For more help on writing your CV visit SJD's Contractors Career's Centre page this will tell you what the most important thing to remember in your CVis and learn theTop 5 Tips.
Go to the source-Difficult, but not Impossible!
Contacting companies direct isn’t always the easiest option as they’ll be sneaky and hide their details as best as possible in order not to be bothered, but make sure to hunt through websites thoroughly. Normally there is a general enquires email address that could be a helpful alternative, also forum’s could help supply a point of contact telephone number or like Microsoft who are one of the most popular companies to work for in .Net roles (seeing as they are the creators of the programme) there is a dedicated application page for graduates, permanent, temporary and contract roles. So even if it seems like a long shot make sure you try all resources.
Also think outside the box. Think about organisations that have their main source of income coming from online purchases or offers. Also look at smaller fish to catch! Small companies that are new to the industry and are waiting for their popularity to grow may be more interested in hiring contractors rather than full time employment should their business fail. Look in local newspapers for the opportunity to start with something local.
Finding a contract can be a challenge but it is definitely the way the market is moving. Fewer and fewer positions are being advertised as full time vacancies and more and more are being recruited with the contractor market.
We hope the above information has given you further guidance in your career. For more information and guidance contact SJD Accountancy via email: jaime.thorpe@sjdaccountancy.com or call 0500 152500/01442 275789.
SJD Accountancy
SJD Accountancy is the UK's largest specialist provider of fixed fee, limited company accountancy services to contractors and freelancers.
Article supplied by SJD Accountancy – Specialist Contractor Accountants