Whether you’re looking to earn some cash before the next full-time hiring boom or elevate your tech freelance career, knowing what employers are looking for when they hire tech contractors and how to market your skill-set can work to your advantage.
The good news is there’s no shortage of opportunities. In fact, 78 percent of companies are hiring for more contract positions now than previous years. Some are even rehiring former employees as contractors for the same positions.
To help you maintain a competitive edge, here’s a look at some of the most sought-after skills, specialties and attributes for tech contractors in the current environment, along with some tips for marketing your skills effectively.
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)
Today, nearly every requisition for a contract worker mentions A.I. skills and tools, regardless of the role or industry, noted Nabeel Chowdhury, senior vice president for 24 Seven Talent.
Many companies aren’t hiring full-time employees with highly specialized skills, Chowdhury noted; they are relying on contractors to bring those skills into the organization—whether they were acquired from employment experience, bootcamps or elsewhere.
While the specific application of A.I. varies by company, a recent survey by freelancing platform Upwork confirms that A.I. was the fastest-growing skills category in the first half of 2023.
Some of the top generative A.I. skills and tools that companies are looking for (and that contractors should highlight in their resumes and online profiles) include:
You can view a full list of A.I. skills here.
All Things Data
With business success increasingly driven by leveraging data, applying analytics and implementing new technologies and infrastructure, managers are counting on contractors to fill data-skills gaps and complete critical projects. In fact, investments in strategic data capabilities remain a priority despite recent budget cuts, noted John Boone, president of ProFocus Technology.
Data analytics, data engineering, data visualization engineering and data science are among the most in-demand technical competencies for contractors, Boone added. Other hot data-related contract roles include data product owner and data project manager.
Software Engineers
While experienced software engineers are always needed on a contract basis, tech pros who specialize in designing, developing and deploying cloud-based applications using a tech stack that includes AWS, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes or React/Node are highly sought-after today.
Software engineering managers who turn independent can also write their own tickets, commanding annual pay that ranges from $73,000 to $400,000.
Cloud Architects
Speaking of the cloud, architects who have the ability to design and integrate a company's cloud computing network will continue to enjoy high demand and hourly wages for the foreseeable future. Freelance cloud engineers and developers can also unlock many opportunities.
Technical Product Managers and Product Owners
Both digital and non-digital businesses are increasingly calling on contract product managers and owners with robust skillsets to provide specialized domain or product expertise and additional resources on an interim basis. Many highly skilled product professionals have moved to freelancing, propelled by the evolution of remote work, collaboration tools and rising demand.
Business Analysts and Business Systems Analysts
Finally, with companies focusing on developing business operations and improving productivity, the demand for contract business analysts and business systems analysts has increased across all industries, and their job outlook is positive for the foreseeable future.
Tips for Marketing Your Skillset
Set yourself apart from competitors by addressing the key requirements of hiring managers.
Offer Definitive Proof of Your Skills and Experience
While providing tangible evidence of your experience and skills is always important when applying for a job in tech, it’s absolutely vital for contractors.
Hiring managers have different expectations for contractors than for full-time employees, Chowdhury explained. Generally, they are looking for someone who can work independently, navigate ambiguity and execute their responsibilities without needing to be micromanaged, especially when the position is fully remote.
They also expect contractors to transfer knowledge to other team members and understand how the solutions they develop impact the business, Boone added.
What’s the best way to demonstrate these types of skills? If you have a non-traditional career path or educational background, or have picked things up while working, then earning certifications and providing an online repository with work-samples that validate your knowledge of technologies and tools is the best way to instill confidence in your abilities.
Provide detailed descriptions of your previous projects in your resume and online profiles, Boone added, and request recommendations from clients and colleagues to validate intangible traits such as communication, honesty, integrity, work ethic and teamwork.
Commitment to Completion
Alleviate the hiring manager’s concerns about your commitment by being honest and clear about your availability in your resume, online profiles and job interviews. Note that having a history of jumping around or quitting before the end of a contact may hurt your ability to score long-term assignments or repeat clients.
W-2 Status
Even if you apply directly for a contract position, most companies will prefer to pay you through a staffing agency or payrolling service, on a W-2 tax basis.
Flexibility
Flexibility is key for contractors in an ever-changing marketplace. Once you get your foot in the door and prove yourself, tech managers will offer you stretch projects and the opportunity to learn new skills.
In fact, if you liked your former company, don’t rule out returning on a contract basis. Most companies that have had to scale back full-time headcount would gladly pay you comparably (or even more) to have you return to your former team on a contract basis.
