How to become an IT / Digital contractor in the UK

This is the book I would have liked when I thought about going contracting and eventually decided to leave a permanent job after 10 years. Spurred on by the prospect of more money and the knowledge that other employees had taken the same route, I made the move. That was 14 years ago and I continue to contract to this day. 

Much of what has been written about contracting is written by those who are not contractors. Often the purpose of the writing is to lead the reader towards a service offering, like an accountancy service or IR35 insurance. Of course, those services are pretty much essential for a contractor, but following their advice does not always give the whole story and with sufficient actionable detail.

The intention of this book to focus only on becoming a contractor, or at least deciding if that is for you. It is based on the inside knowledge and experience that comes from actually being a contractor and is derived from a network of practicing contractors and recruiters.

This book will help you :

• Decide if contracting is for you
• Understand if you are ready to contract
• Plan and prepare to start contracting
• Secure your first contract

Chapter Headings

• Chapter 1 - What is a contractor and why there is a market?
• Chapter 2 - What to expect from a contractor’s life - it’s not all about the money
• Chapter 3 - Deciding if it is for you and if you have the skills you need
• Chapter 4 - Preparing to contract, for the best start possible
• Chapter 5 - Securing a first contract.
• Chapter 6 - Recommendations, for contractor products and services 
• Chapter 7 - Resources

Who is this book for?

Anyone who is looking to get a broader understanding of what IT / Digital contracting is like in the UK and what it entails. You may already have decided they want to be a contractor and so want to know the process and steps to follow to achieve that, in which case this book would be for you. It is also for individuals who have already have been offered a contracting role and are looking for help deciding if the move is right for them.

Who is the book not for?

It is really only for those with IT/digital professional experience, although if that is an area you are intending to get into then it will be relevant. The book provides guidance for those working or considering working in the UK.

Whilst an existing contractor is likely to find value in this book, it is written for those considering contracting and covers concepts a practicing contractor is likely to already be familiar with and information that they may already know. A long term intention is to write a sequel to this book for existing contractors, on how to develop a contracting career, through to planning an exist strategy. As good things cannot last forever!

What it will not do

This book does come with a few caveats, it has to.

• It contains no legal or financial advice. This is because legislation is so changeable and financial advice is regulated and dependent on your personal circumstances. You will be guided as much as possible, but do need to check your situation with a professional advisor.
• Updates to the book will be made as frequently as possible but may not always keep up with taxation or legislation changes.
• Where there are external links, these are subject to change and beyond the control of the author. If made aware of changes updates will be applied as soon as possible.

Progress

This book is being written using the lean publish approach so that you can interact with the author and shape the book as it is being written. By purchasing and reading the book before it's finished, aside from being part of the process of the book's development, you can read the latest work without having to wait for it to be fully published.

Please feel welcome and encouraged to email Andrew witltd01@gmail.com