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Careers & workplace advice from Hays

Are you interested in having greater freedom in your career? Maybe you’d like to deploy and develop your skills in a variety of organisations and industries? 

The Contractor Toolkit from Hays is out now! Designed for both experienced professionals and newcomers alike, it covers everything you need to know for contracting success. 

Our guide contains input from Hays experts and experienced contractors on each step of the contractor journey. Learn about setting up a business and deciding on rates, before tackling your first project. Then, gain advice on what to do when you’re up and running, including branding, training and networking. 

Download your copy here. 

What are the benefits of being a contractor? 

There are lots of reasons for skilled professional to move away from permanent roles and take up contracting instead. For example, you’ll be afforded greater flexibility in choosing how, where and when you work. This suits people who have commitments outside of work, or who might be based away from offices. There’s also the potential for higher income, particularly if you charge an hourly rate – organisations are willing to pay for specialist skills!  

However, there’s also a lot to consider before starting out. Will you be proactive in finding work, or when between contracts? Can you run your own business, including promoting and networking? 

The Contractor Toolkit offers guidance on these topics and more, ensuring you’re prepared for continued success. 

What’s included in the Contractor Toolkit? 

Whether you’ve already begun your career as a contractor, or you’re still in a permanent position, the Contractor Toolkit contains useful insights to empower you to success. 

The guide is divided into three sections to help you at every step of your journey: 

  • Before you begin: Learn more reasons to become a contractor, as well as questions to ask yourself to help you determine whether it’s right for you. 
  • Starting out: Get advice on setting up your business correctly, budgeting and taking on your first project 
  • Lifelong success: From building your brand to staying productive between roles, discover ways to stay employable as a contractor. 

Get your copy here 

With our free toolkit by your side, you’ll be ready to navigate the world of contracting with confidence.  

Download your copy and unlock your potential today. 

Learning how to give a presentation at work is key to getting ahead in your career. Unfortunately, not many of us usually enjoy standing up in front of a crowd and giving a presentation. 

In fact, according to the National Social Anxiety Centre, public speaking is the most common phobia of all. More people fear presentations than heights, death and spiders. 

However, as we know, work presentations are not a life-or-death situation. You might still feel the familiar symptoms of your fight-or-flight response to public speaking – think nervousness, fast speech and fidgeting – but preparation can help you minimise this. 

In this blog, we’ll give you actionable advice on giving a polished, confident and effective presentation at work. We’ll also explore some quick tips on controlling those nerves. Let’s get started. 

10 steps to giving a great presentation 

Work presentations come down to three key periods: 

  1. The preparation phase 
  2. On the day, before your presentation 
  3. During your presentation. 

Designing your work presentation 

1. Decide on the narrative of your presentation 

Consider your presentation as a story you’re telling the audience. If you’re pitching a new campaign or product, think about the taking people on a journey from the challenge to how this solves it. Focus on the key areas that your audience needs to know and be prepared to discuss details in response to any follow up questions. There’s room for creativity here, as long as it’s appropriate and professional. 

If you’re presenting data or results, what do these tell us? Is there a narrative that explains the numbers and charts? Give context around this information. Above all, your story should make it easier for people to understand what you’re showing them. 

Lastly, consider ending your presentation with a clear call to action, so that everyone leaves with a sense of purpose. 

2. Identify your audience 

Think carefully about who your presentation is for. What do they want to know? What do you need to tell them? This will make it easier to include relevant information and prepare for follow-up questions. Are they already well-informed on the subject, or will you need to simplify things so they only need to consume the key points? 

3. Make clear and concise slides 

In her appearance on our Careers Advice Podcast, presentation coach Jay Surti warns against “death by Powerpoint”. She explains: “There’s a temptation to rely a lot on slides and put a lot of text into the slide. And, quite often, those are the key things to avoid.” 

If you’re using a slide deck, avoid cramming all of your information into it. It’s crucial to keep things clean and concise so that the attention stays on you, with the slides there for key takeaways. If you’re presenting data, it’s a good idea to have simple charts as an overview, with more detailed ones ready if you need to go deeper into the numbers. 

4. Prepare notes (but not a script) 

Like your slides, you should start preparing notes as soon as possible. These will act as a memory aid during the presentation – you shouldn’t read from a script, since you won’t be as engaging to your audience. The most important thing at first is getting your ideas down in a smooth order, rather than making it word perfect. There will be plenty of time to tweak and edit later.  

5. Practice your presentation beforehand 

Once you know what you’re saying and have slides ready, start rehearsing. You can have friends, family or colleagues watch and give feedback. You might also feel most comfortable in front of a mirror. 

If you’re using Microsoft Office PowerPoint for your slides, AI tools can help. The Speaker Coach extension can help you to spot chances to improve your public speaking and keep your audience’s attention. This support includes hints on presentation styles, pacing, pitch and emphasising essential points. 

Getting ready on the day of your presentation at work 

6. Know your audience members 

As you get ready to present, it’s important to trust in your preparation. In general, you shouldn’t be making big changes that can disrupt what you’ve planned for. 

However, making some tweaks to suit the audience in the room can enhance your presentation. Adapt your delivery style to suit a bigger or smaller group. Think of a specific point you can address to a stakeholder you didn’t know would be there. All of this will help you to grab your listeners’ attention. 

7. Distribute handouts covering the main points 

If useful, prepare handouts four your audience to highlight specific points or statistics. Remember, you don’t want this to be too detailed – keep it to key points or charts only. You can reference these during your presentation. 

Presenting itself: what do you during your presentation 

8. Avoid reading 

This point is so important it’s worth covering again. There’s nothing less engaging than somebody reading from a script or the slides. It’s completely fine to check your notes if you lose track, but focus on speaking, rather than reading. 

9. Make eye contact 

Make brief but confident eye contact with audience members. This is a big body language win in many areas of business, including presentations. When you’re making a point, scan the room and maintain eye contact with a guest. 

Then, pick someone else and move on to the next point. Combined with a strong posture and supporting hand gestures, you’ll come across as knowledgeable and confident. 

10. Speak clearly 

Speak loudly, clearly and confidently. Even though it’s tempting to speak quickly, especially if you’re nervous, it’s better to slow down. Pay attention to your audience’s responses – you may need to slow down if they’re not engaged. 

Tips for dealing with nerves during your work presentation 

Following the above steps will vastly increase your chances of delivering an effective presentation, but there are times when you still might find yourself dealing with anxiety. Here are some tips for overcoming these nerves: 

  • Take deep breaths before you begin to help relax. 
  • Stop for a sip of water. This will give you time to collect your thoughts and slow things down if you’ve been rushing. 
  • Pause at the end of a point or slide and slow down. If you’re nervous, you may have started to speak quickly. 
  • Ensure you’re holding eye contact for at least a few seconds with each member of the audience. Don’t gaze away from them for too long or keep continuously shifting your attention. 
  • If you’re uncomfortable with maintaining eye contact, or you lose your place, take a moment to look at your slides. Don’t just read what’s on the screen, though – turn back to the audience as you make each point and pick somebody to deliver the point to. 

How to give a virtual presentation 

Most of the 10 tips above will still apply if you’re giving a presentation online. You can still send out a handout before the call, although you don’t want people to focus on this during the presentation. 

  • In advance, set up your slide deck to share in your preferred mode. Do you want notes to appear on another screen, or would you prefer to see how your audience are reacting. 
  • Without you being physically present, the audience’s focus will be on the screen and therefore your slide deck. In this instance, it’s ok to add more information without overwhelming them. 
  • Obviously, it won’t be possible to make eye contact with others, but consider choosing relevant people on the call to reference so that they feel involved and engaged. 

Looking for more insights on giving a great presentation? Read more:

Are you searching job vacancies for the next step in your career? Perhaps you’re already writing your CV or even being invited to job interviews. 

Whichever point you’re at in your job search, boost your chances of landing that dream role with The Hays Jobseeker Toolkit!  

Our guide contains expert advice on every stage in your journey to find a job, from deciding your next move to getting ready for your first day. It doesn’t matter how many applications you’ve sent or interviews you’ve got coming up – The Hays Jobseeker Toolkit can help you make the next step. 

Download your copy here. 

Five reasons to download The Hays Jobseeker Toolkit 

  1. Optimising your CV and LinkedIn profile: Our guide offers practical tips on updating your CV and optimising your LinkedIn profile to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. 
  1. Finessing your job applications: As well as a CV template, our experts share strategies for tailoring your CV and cover letter to specific job adverts, increasing your chances of getting an interview. 
  1. Preparing for interviews: We cover how to set yourself up for success in job interviews, including examples of using the STAR technique for situational questions and tips for making a great impression. 
  1. Making the right decision: Not sure which role is right for you? We help you assess job offers and make informed decisions, considering factors such as company culture and career goals. 
  1. Starting a new role: If you’re worried about the transition into your new job, our guide contains advice on how to resign professionally and prepare for your new role, ensuring you maintaining good relationships with your current employer. 

Build a winning CV  

The Hays Jobseeker Toolkit looks at how to write a CV in a way that stands out to the reader. Plot out a structure that tells hiring managers who you are, what you’re capable of and what you’ll bring to your next employer. We also offer advice on choosing the right language for your CV, helping you refine the wording to reflect your strengths. 

Beyond that, our experts share the four steps to ensuring your CV and cover letter are tailored to each role you’re applying for. 

You’ll also get direct access to our detailed CV Guide, which contains extra advice for crafting each aspect of your application, as well as our CV and cover letter templates. 

Impress in your job interview 

Been accepted to interview? Don’t turn up without having read up on: 

  • Your pre-interview to-do list to help you prepare for each part of the interview 
  • What to do on the day as you approach and start your interview 
  • How to react after your interview as you reflect and look ahead 

If you’re looking for more insights into impressing in a job interview, downloading The Hays Jobseeker Toolkit will also give you access to our in-depth Interview Guide. You’ll learn more about common interview questions and the best questions to ask in an interview. 

Get your copy of The Hays Jobseeker Toolkit here.

Working as a contractor, as opposed to in a role on a permanent basis, means greater emphasis on selling yourself as the right candidate more frequently. To do this effectively, it’s important to have a strong brand. 

Building a brand that reflects what you bring to the table requires you to consistently and regularly position yourself in a certain way. You’ll want to relay your expertise, reliability and experience so that clients and peers alike can trust you and depend on you. 

Let’s look at the key reasons for a contractor brand and how to achieve this effectively. 

Three reasons to build a strong contractor brand 

Have the right publicity 

Even if you have the right skills, you’ll struggle to find clients without the right image and reputation. Branding isn’t just about the logo or the website – it’s to make sure you come across as professional, established and trustworthy. In short, people need to know exactly what they’re getting when they involve you in their projects. 

Protect your contractor status 

At Hays, we work with contractors across a number of industries every day. Our advice to them is to set up their services under a company. 

Why? In many countries, this brings financial benefits that aren’t afforded to an individual in employment. As such, it’s best to have a logo, website and associated materials that indicate that you’re managing a business, rather than your own work. 

Prepare for future evolution 

Think about how many large businesses started as just one person as a contractor before expanding. 

Your business could become something big, so why not start with a structure that can scale? Defining a brand will help to incorporate further services, or even employees, later down the line. Even if it’s not something that interests you now, there’s no reason to make it harder for yourself later. 

Three ways to build your brand as a contractor 

Perfect your online presence 

LinkedIn 

You shouldn’t need telling but having a complete and up-to-date LinkedIn profile is non-negotiable. This includes: 

  • Having a photo, which leads to 21x the number of views on your profile and 9x the number of requests to connect. It doesn’t need to be a studio shot, but make sure it’s professional and reasonably recent. 
  • At the start and end of your projects, update your work experience with an overview of your responsibilities and achievements. 
  • Add any certifications you’ve earned, not just those you’ve done through LinkedIn. 
  • Ask past colleagues, managers and project managers for recommendations that you can showcase. 

Get more in-depth tips here. 

Website 

Beyond LinkedIn, make a dedicated website for interested parties to discover more about your services beyond your profile and applications. It doesn’t need to be anything special, but should involve: 

  • An ‘About You’ section, containing keywords that tell the reader who you are and what you do 
  • A portfolio of past work, including extra-curricular projects 
  • An updated list of your certifications 
  • Testimonials from clients 
  • Links to your profiles on other channels 
  • A blog (more on that later) 

This might sound daunting, but with the right tools it can be very straightforward. If you don’t have any technical knowledge or experience in building a site, I recommend a user-friendly platform like Wix or GoDaddy that allow you to use templates and existing components. 

Network proactively 

Keeping your online profile current is important, but you need to get it out there so people find it. Although networking doesn’t come naturally to many of us, it’s something you’ll need to get used to as a contractor. 

I recommend starting out virtually. Leave comments on other people’s LinkedIn posts that relate to your area of expertise. Approach this with the attitude of being helpful or sharing an insight you’ve found useful, rather than dominating the discourse. Apply this to relevant forums, where you can contribute to conversations or start your own. Start slow and get a feel for what you have to offer before increasing the frequency. It can be time-consuming to juggle this with your workload during a project, but it’s worth continuing to keep your name in people’s minds. In time, your peers will recognise you as someone to contact for advice or experience. 

If you’re finishing up in a permanent role or your current contract is coming to an end, note the details of anybody who might be a useful contact in future. Make sure you leave them with a good impression of yourself so that they remember you positively. 

Once you’re more confident in connecting with people online and having conversations with stakeholders in person, it’s a good idea to explore in-person events where possible. Think about what you have to offer and start conversations with that in mind. You won’t be helpful to everybody you speak to with, nor will they be a useful contact to you. However, coming away with one or two names you can continue the conversation with is a great result. 

Create content that showcases your expertise 

Producing content will help you stand out among your peers as a thought leader with valuable insights. There are two primary audiences for this: 

  • Potential clients: By sharing insights that not only demonstrate your knowledge but also touch on relevant business challenges, you’ll position yourself as an expert. 
  • Other contractors: Becoming a trustworthy voice among your peers will help you to expand your network and strengthen existing relationships. It’s also more likely for a contact to recommend you for a project if they’re unable to take it. 

Topics for your content 

  • Commentary on trending news that impacts your field 
  • In-depth exploration on relevant challenges and solutions 
  • Advice for professionals and businesses 
  • Updates on your projects and learning 

Formats for your content 

Choosing the right format for your content will depend on what you want to say, as well as your strengths and resources. 

For quick tips and advice, a social media post or a short speech to camera works best. LinkedIn is your best bet for reaching a professional network and prospective clients, so discuss trends there through posts, articles (which you can publish from your account) or longer videos. 

To access a wider audience, you might also consider working with somebody else to record an interview or conversation. Start out with pre-recorded videos that can be uploaded to YouTube or LinkedIn, with shorter clips on other platforms. After that, you might experiment with live streams or webinars where you can interact with the viewers. 

Don’t feel obliged to pick one of these and continue with it – find which ones works best for you as a creator, and which ones your target audiences engage with most. Invite people to comment or submit questions, and publish polls which they can respond to easily. Once you settle on your preferred topics and formats, you can be consistent, which in turn reinforces your brand. 

Building your contractor brand 

As a contractor, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of a consistent brand that tells clients and peers what you do. This starts with an online profile that’s not only easy to find, but also lets people know about your skills, experience and reputation. After this, building a network of fellow contract workers, clients and former colleagues will allow you to get the word out about your business even further. Even if you’re not yet comfortable with writing or recording content, these steps will help you enjoy continued success in your contractor career. 

Interested in more contractor content? 

Many of us have experienced remote and hybrid working in the past five years. However, should professionals soon expect to be returning to the office for five days a week again? 

As shared in our blog on 2025 workplace trends, 83% of CEOs expect a full return to office in the next three years. While this sentiment hasn’t led to much action yet, productivity and company culture outside the office are under scrutiny. 

Is your employer leaning toward everybody “coming in” again? If you’ve been out of the office environment for a while — or have never known it at all — returning to a full-time in-office role can be daunting. But there are several ways you can make it work for you. 

How to get ready to return to the office 

The first step is to consider what you liked (and didn’t like) about flexible working.  

Yes, working from home allows greater flexibility. But this working pattern also blurs the distinction between your work and personal life.  

Did you miss having an office space? Do you prefer in-person meetings to Zoom calls? Then you may be ready for your new workday routine.  

And it’s important to remember that, no matter which side you fall on in the remote vs office debate, you’re not alone. In fact, opinions are split almost down the middle. Bamboo HR’s 2024 Return to the Office report showed that two out of five (39%) prefer to be office-based. Around half of workers (52%) choose remote. 

If you prefer to work remotely, there are various steps you can take to make an office more comfortable for you. With big name companies such as Amazon setting the tone with return-to-work mandates, employees may need to get used to a new work environment. If you’re in this situation, here are eight top tips for returning to the office full-time. 

1. Rethink your sleeping patterns 

Are you used to rolling out of bed and getting straight on your computer? To maintain a healthy lifestyle while getting up early to get ready and commute, you’ll have to find a sleep routine that involves getting to bed earlier. A healthy sleep pattern is crucial to your personal well-being and work performance. 

2. Create a solid morning routine 

Once you know when you’ll be waking up, you can start to build a new routine. Think about everything you need to do in the morning. Is breakfast something you prepare at home, or on the go? If you exercise, do you have time to get to the gym, or do you need to find somewhere nearer your office? Perhaps some home equipment is the answer. 

Next, plan your commute. If you already work in the office a few days each week, you should be familiar with this already. However, bear in mind that, as more people return to the office full-time, the roads and public transport will be busier. There’ll probably be a longer queue at your regular coffee shop, too. It’s worth setting out a little earlier if possible, since rushing to make it to your desk every morning will only make things more jarring. 

Building a regular routine is difficult, but deciding it and sticking to it will make the transition easier. 

3. Have a plan for concentrating in the office 

One of the biggest perks of working at home is that you dictate the distractions. In an office, you might have less control over the atmosphere. 

If you want to get your head down, take a pair of headphones when you return to the workplace. It may help to have a dedicated work bag where you keep things that help keep your concentration on track. 

Another productive habit is to set hours where you fully concentrate. Use your calendar to block out ‘focus time’ and limit notifications. 

4. Build your own workspace 

Bring useful stationery or decorations to make your office feel like home. Small plants and pictures are a great way to get started. A few easily movable accessories will help you to feel more settled and like you’re in familiar surroundings. 

5. Take advantage of face-to-face interactions 

Whereas working remotely can lead you to feel disconnected from your peers, seeing colleagues in person is a great way to boost your mood. Don’t feel guilty about taking time for interactions – after all, employers often cite this as a primary reason for returning to the office. As long as you’ve got enough time and space to get your work done, there’s nothing wrong with having a chat.  

Make the most of office life and embrace the chance for informal team conversations. Unscheduled conversations can also help you to come up with creative ideas for addressing work problems. 

6. Look after your mental health  

Being in an office full-time brings different challenges from home working. Remote workers might struggle with disconnection and switching off at night, but being in the office may lead to new anxieties about working in a busy workspace. Check in with yourself regularly to make sure your new environment allows you to prioritise your mental health. 

7. Maintain a work-life balance 

Working from home can often mean that people are inclined to stay online a little later, blurring the boundary between your job and your downtime. After returning to the office, make sure you’re not staying too late or sacrificing personal well-being. Stick to work schedules and try to switch off in the evening.  

In fact, this is where office-based working arrangements can be helpful. You have a set time to end the day and leave work. Avoid checking emails or notifications once you exit the office and make your way home. Take this chance to transition from work to personal life and give your mind a rest. 

8. Take regular breaks 

Just because you’re back in the office, it doesn’t mean you should be working every single minute of the day. Taking regular pauses, getting up and moving makes you more productive when you are working. Remember, sitting at your desk all day impresses no one — it just makes you feel sluggish. Whether you’ve got assigned break times or a flexible routine, remember to take those chances to refresh your body and mind.  

Thriving in an office environment 

Returning to the office may be distinctly different from the remote work many have become used to. But with careful planning, the right environment and self-care, you can make your office-based role a roaring success.

As 2024 concludes, it’s time to reflect on your year so that you can get ahead in 2025. What has been your biggest achievement in your career? And how can you improve your career skills for the year ahead? 

By setting yourself a yearly career development plan, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, and set a clear path to develop your skills and ensure professional growth.  

In this blog, we’ll help you to evaluate your career, improve your skills, and create a career development plan so you’re ready to progress confidently into 2025.  

Why reflecting on your career is important 

When first approaching how to improve your career development, it’s crucial to reflect on what you’ve already managed . Career reflection helps you to: 

  • Identify progress: What have you achieved so far and how far have you come? 
  • Set clear goals: Where do you want to go next and how’re you going to get there? 
  • Keep informed: How can you adapt to any industry changes and trends within your sector? 

Achieving your career goals is an ongoing process, but today’s fast-paced job market means that you have to advance continually to stay competitive. Annual performance reviews help to keep you on track to create the career you dream of. 

How to assess your career achievements  

Evaluate the biggest achievements in your career this year by following these steps: 

1. List your key achievements

  • Have you reached any milestones? 
  • Have you completed any major projects, learned specific skills or received recognition? 

2. Reflect on any challenges 

  • Did anything not go to plan? 
  • Are there any lessons you can take away from challenging experiences? 

3. Measure your growth  

  • How does your personal development compare from the start of the year till now? 
  • Have there been any changes in your confidence, skills or responsibilities? 

Document any achievements throughout the year to help make this process easier. Recording wins, challenges and new skills as they happen will mean you’ll have a detailed record to review next year. 

Identifying areas for improvement  

Celebrating success is important. However, for continued career development, you need to be identifying areas for growth too. Use these strategies to help achieve your goals:  

1. Review any feedback 

  • Do you have any feedback from performance reviews, managers or from conversation with colleagues? 
  • Can you notice any patterns that indicate where you can improve? 

2. Assess your skills and experience 

  • Compare your skills to those in demand in your industry. Are there gaps? 
  • Evaluate your soft skills. For example, is there room for improvement in your leadership or communication skills? 

3. Look ahead in your profession 

  • What are the latest industry trends? Are there new tools, technologies or methodologies to get to grips with? 

By identifying opportunities to improve your career skills, you’ll have a clearer direction in which to focus your attention. Professional achievements come in all shapes and sizes, so focus on skills that mean the most to you and your plan.  

Important steps for professional growth  

You’ve assessed areas for improvement as part of your career development plan – next, it’s time to take action. No matter how far or close you are to achieving your career aspirations, here are some steps you can take: 

Find a mentor  

If you feel like you’re lacking guidance or support, find a mentor or seek out a career coach. These experienced colleagues can help you to negotiate challenges based on their own work experience. A mentor can share insightful industry knowledge and offer advice to help you achieve your goals for professional growth.  

Managers or other team members might be perfect as your mentor. However, if you work as a contractor or feel uncomfortable seeking mentors in your current role, try attending industry events. Platforms like LinkedIn are a great place to connect with professionals who can improve your career development.  

Expand your knowledge  

Continuous learning is vital to career progression. Professional training can help if you’re seeking a promotion or simply looking to reinvigorate your passion for your career. 

Enrol in online courses, attend workshops, or find industry-relevant literature. Stay up –to date with the latest trends in your industry to position yourself as a thought leader. It’s even worthwhile keeping up with the latest workplace trends on the whole.  

It may help to review required skills for similar jobs or promotion opportunities. Browsing job listings can help to inform your to do list for continuing professional development.  

If there are no specific technical skills left to learn for your role, think about valuable transferable skills. Could you improve your leadership skills for future promotions? Could you refresh your presentation or communication skills? Think about skills that define great leaders and aim to surpass them. 

Build your professional network  

Networking is about more than trying to find a new job. Speaking to professional peers has the potential to help you in achieving your career goals more broadly. Building relationships can open doors, as well as uncover topics and training that you may not have known about before. 

Set SMART goals  

Effective goal setting can make all the difference in achieving your career goals. Use a framework such as the SMART framework: 

  • Specific: Define exactly what you want to achieve. 
  • Measurable: Set criteria to track your progress. 
  • Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic. 
  • Relevant: Align your goals with your career aspirations. 
  • Time-bound: Set deadlines to stay on track. 

Here is an example of a goal using a SMART framework to set your goals for professional growth. “Complete a certification in Agile project management by June 2025 to qualify for senior project manager roles.” 

Don’t lose momentum 

Reflection and goal setting are just the beginning.  

To maintain progress, we recommend checking in on your goals every three months. Don’t forget to celebrate your wins and reward yourself for any milestones you’ve achieved, and be open to rethinking your goals if circumstances change. It’s important to maintain a positive work-life balance along the way. 

Assessing your career is a powerful step toward achieving your goals for professional growth. Reflecting on the past year, identify areas for growth and take action to position yourself for success in 2025. 

Achieve your career goals and make this the best year yet with Hays 

The end of 2024 provides us with a chance to reflect on our experiences and achievements in the last 12 months. It’s also the ideal moment to think about what we want in 2025, as some of us seek changes or a fresh start in some way or another. 

What about in the world of work? We’ve already explored the opportunities for professionals seeking permanent positions in the year ahead. In this blog, we’ll look at where contractors can expect to find exciting projects in 2025. 

Why are so many contractor jobs available? 

In a recent edition of Hays’ LinkedIn newsletter, The Talent Blueprint, we explored the reasons that organisations should turn to a blended workforce of permanent staff and contractors. Employers need to bring in specialists who offer expertise, experience and diversity of thought. Working with contractors allows them to do this effectively while maintaining the flexibility that’s become all important in recent years. 

As such, there will continue to be plenty of opportunities for highly skilled professionals in 2025, so it’s a good time to be searching for projects as a contractor. 

Criteria when choosing a new contractor job 

  • Greater flexibility: As uncovered in the Hays Salary Guides in the US and Canada, this has been the most popular reason for contractors to switch from permanent roles in 2024.
  • Learning opportunities: Choosing a new project is also about finding the right balance between utilising your expertise and supporting your personal development. Contracting offers the opportunity for regular exposure to new areas. Naureen Jamal, an IT contractor in Canada and our first guest in the Contractor Hacks YouTube series, explained: “The areas in which I feel most confident are where I like to look at jobs – as well as opportunities for growth. I don’t want to be stagnant or just come in, only do my job and be out. I want to be able to learn from that experience”.
  • Remuneration: While many organisations turn to contractors in order to reduce costs, professionals can expect higher daily pay than they would in a permanent position.

The top industries to find contractor jobs in 2025 

Pharmaceuticals 

The UK’s Golden Triangle (London, Oxford, Cambridge) remains a hub for innovation and there’s high demand in Research & Development, with skill shortages often met through contingent hiring. Within this space, AI-enabled drug discovery and ATMP discovery, development and production are key skills.

In France, demand for contract jobs will focus on biostatisticians, regulatory affairs specialists and clinical research associates. With the pharmaceutical industry’s digital transformation, roles in data management, machine learning and AI specialists will also be sought after. Sustainability roles for eco-friendly pharmaceutical processes will gain prominence. For contractors, 2025 will see a strong shift towards flexible and remote work arrangements. Companies will also emphasise ongoing training and development to ensure consultants stay up to date with rapid industry changes. 

Germany’s pharmaceutical sector will see high demand for contractors in data analysis, digital therapeutics and personalised medicine. Regulatory affairs and compliance professionals will also be crucial due to stringent regulations. Additionally, the number of contract research and manufacturing roles will grow as companies seek to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

The largest demand for contract workers in the US will continue to be within drug discovery and manufacturing. At the big pharmaceutical companies, roughly 80% of the positions in the latter field will be contract roles. Expect opportunities as lab technicians and in quality control, albeit mostly below a senior level. We’re also seeing a large spike in pay for technical positions, although these are fewer in number than the other roles mentioned.

Tech 

Tech professionals looking for contract work can expect to find plenty of projects worldwide in 2025. Although it’s a competitive market, the need for specialists with niche skillsets means that organisations of all kinds will continue with contingent hiring. In additional to digital transformation, the evolution of AI and growing cyber security challenges offer exciting opportunities.

For a sense of what you can expect to earn in 2025, it’s worth looking at our Tech Contractor Day Rate guides in the UK, Ireland and Australia.

Engineering 

As with technology, there are opportunities for engineers across a range of sectors. From infrastructure to technology and telecommunications, there’s demand globally for people who can join organisations for particular projects.

Paul Gibbens, National Specialism Director of Engineering for Hays UK&I, comments: “The temporary engineering recruitment market in the UK has been growing steadily. The engineering market in the UK is quite diverse, with several sectors showing strong demand for contractors.

“Major infrastructure projects, such as the HS2 high-speed rail network and various road and bridge upgrades, require a substantial number of engineering contractors. The expansion of 5G networks and advancements in technology infrastructure create opportunities for contractors specialising in telecommunications and IT engineering, Embedded Software and Software Development.”

Sustainable energy / ESG 

In Europe, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) means organisations are under pressure to measure their carbon emissions across all scopes. In Germany, this has led to greater demand for skilled professionals because, while the number of undergraduate degrees in sustainability is growing, employers are seeking experience. As a result, a recent report from Hays Austria and Germany found that 98% of companies are recruiting external support or consulting on this subject.

With the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions, there’s a significant push towards renewable energy projects, including wind, solar and tidal energy. Contractors with expertise in these areas are in high demand.

Likewise, in Canada, the efforts to convert buildings to more energy efficient spaces will see greater demand for Energy Managers, as well as ESG Managers and Facilities Managers.

Further reading on preparing for contractor jobs: