10 powerful tips for getting more from one of the most valuable resources in IT and Tech... the freelance contractor. Improve your resourcing model after you have completed the recruitment process, and discover how contractors can benefit your permanent staff. Useful for those responsible for HR, resourcing, recruitment and operations or project management.

1. 10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

2. You probably employ contractors because…
Specialists know exactly how to do the job; they’ve done it before, they know
the pitfalls. Often contractors are more expensive, so how do you get the most
out of them?
• Time: You need to finish a project early or catch up
• Risk: A mix of permanent and contractor staff gives you flexibility
• Quality: You’re doing something new or don’t have in-house skills
10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

3. Pay an Industry Standard wage
Best practice for hiring in general,
but more vital with contractors.
They know their day rate and the
industry standard.
Don’t gamble and pay less…
you'll get sub-standard work and
high staff turnover.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

4. Be clear about the job
You need to be explicit about what
you want and expect out of this
person and their work, otherwise
there will be confusion and
disappointment.
Also be clear about why you want
the job done, how it fits into your
firm’s strategic goals.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

5. Test and check as normal
Apply the same interview
techniques, tests and checks for a
contractor as you would for
permanent staff.
You may not be working with this
person for long, but they still need
to be the right person with the
right chemistry.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

6. Be flexible on time and location
Think about introducing ‘work from home’ days.
Do they really need to be in the office to complete
the task? And consider staggering start/finish
times so they can travel off-peak or manage other
commitments.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

7. Have a written contract or agreement
It’s more than a piece of paper; it gives
freelance staff the assurance they will be
paid, and gives you the chance to hold
them accountable.
Any amendments to the scope of work
should also be in writing.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

8. Everyone is accountable – including you
Not getting updates? Hold your contractor
accountable and let them know.
Are they struggling to understand your
instructions? Hold yourself accountable
and try to communicate better.
Is the project just not working? Hold
everyone accountable and be willing to
accept your share of the blame.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

9. Pay on time, including expenses
If you want your contractors committed
and engaged then pay them on time.
And don’t delay on their expenses.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

10. Recognise they educate your staff
Engaging good contractors can improve
the calibre of permanent employees by
promoting best practice and the sharing
of expertise.
So ensure you thank contractors for
bringing ideas and enabling your
existing staff to reach new heights.
Apple for the teacher?
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

11. Give them a LinkedIn recommendation
A private thank you is always nice, but public praise
can help your contractor get their next job.
So consider giving them a LinkedIn recommendation
or praising them via Twitter and Google+
for a job well done.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

12. Involve them in office life
Don’t leave your contractors in
the corner when celebrating staff
birthdays, anniversaries or
company achievements.
By making them feel part of office
life they may go the extra mile.
Celebrate their birthday if it falls
during the contract term.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

13. Contractors are an essential part of the IT/Tech landscape; they bring
additional expertise, fill short-term resourcing requirements and help
complete projects on schedule.
Getting the most out of them is similar to the way you get the most out of
permanent staff – treat them with integrity, care and respect.
This is the philosophy that Curo Resourcing has applied to our contractors –
the results can be seen in the testimonials they have sent us.
For more advice on getting the most out of IT contractors please contact
Di Mabe on 0845 094 4627 or email di.mabe@curoresourcing.co.uk
10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors

14. Curo Resourcing Ltd
400 Thames Valley Park Drive Thames Valley Park Reading Berkshire RG6 1PT
T: +44 (0) 845 094 4627
Skype: curo.resourcing
E: hello@curoresourcing.co.uk
W: www.curoresourcing.co.uk
Trusted provider of technical experts to Microsoft and its partners
For the second year running Curo have been appointed as Microsoft Services’
“Smart Team Freelance Partner”. This means we manage Microsoft Services’
freelance programme, providing contract staff to support project delivery.
© 2015 Curo Resourcing Ltd All rights reserved