Keeping Busy as a Contractor During Slow Periods

Even the most sought-after contractors experience periodic down time, and now recent world events and an uncertain economy are making it more challenging than ever to keep busy and find new projects. Kate Lenehan, nSight’s staffing manager, offers strategies for using these slow periods to your professional advantage.

Create a sense of structure and routine.

Be sure to maintain disciplined office hours, even when there is little or no work. Start each day with a plan or “to-do” list so you don’t lose focus. Keep to a regular schedule, get plenty of rest, and “go to the office” each day refreshed and ready to focus.

Revisit your career goals and plan new targets and growth strategies.

Dream big! Would you like to publish an article with your own byline? Write a novel? Exhibit your paintings? Earn enough money for a luxury vacation? Is there a company, publisher, or brand you’re dying to work for? Break down the tasks you’ll need to get there and create the roadmap to achieving your ultimate goal.

Focus on your professional development.

Assess your current skills and determine which ones could use a bit of attention. Are there new competencies, certifications or licenses that would distinguish you from the competition? Use this time to become the best you can be.

Develop a marketing plan.

Start with an internet search on your name to see how companies can find and hire you. Is your LinkedIn profile complete and up-to-date? Are you listed on professional directories for your specialty? Is your resume up-to-date and posted on hiring sites? Make a plan to fill in the gaps and tackle them one by one.

If you don’t already have one, now may be the time to build your website! Introduce yourself to prospective clients with a personal statement, skills summary, work history and portfolio. There are many low-cost and easy-to-use site building tools that enable you to build a slick, professional website with little or no technical skills.

Broaden your exposure and expand your network.

Connect with college alumni, participate in LinkedIn groups, and look for meetups pertaining to your specialty and areas of interest. Set daily, weekly and monthly goals for making new contacts and get the word out that you’re looking for new contract opportunities.

Do some housekeeping.

Tackle the tasks that fall by the wayside when you’ve got a lot of work and little free time. Archive old files. Organize email. Clean up your computer. Update your portfolio. Review your work logs and financial records and explore new accounting tools to make your life easier moving forward.

Take care of yourself.

Be patient and take it one day at a time. Get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water and exercise daily to prepare yourself for busy days ahead.