Contractor Types

In a Nutshell

Innovate or piggy-back?

In a Sentence

The contracting world can be roughly split into two parts; contractors who adopt the new and those who adapt the established.

The Adopter Contractor

Some contractors are nosy, inquisitive and always on the look-out for the next new thing. These contractors are also realists, they know that not everything that is new is necessarily good, will work and could break down. That doesn't put them off for one minute.

The freelance contractor who has these pioneering qualities is often ridiculed, on occasion(s), by their more reluctant counterpart. ‘So what!' They know that maybe it takes ten new ideas to come up with just one idea that actually has practical implications. They don't care that 90% of their investigative work leads to nothing.

The excitement and reward of finding a new and better way to execute xyz, is all they need to feel their purpose is worthwhile. An adopter is worth far more to the client than an adapter.

The Adapter Contractor

Then you have the rest of the pack. These contractors are quite happy to let the other guy do all the hard work, make mistakes, miss their lunch break - then pounce on the innovation. Adapter contractors only reluctantly take on new ideas. They have 100 reasons why the tried & tested methods are the best, sometimes they may be right.

Adapter contractors don't come up with new ideas where the client may save time and money. These contractors will defend the status quo, they are in their comfort zone. Why learn a new skill when they're good enough at the current accepted methods. They are very good at what they do - sometimes a steady hand is what the client wants.

Who Are You?

Which category do you fit in? Which category of contractor does your client want to hire. Is there a set formulated task to complete or is a little imaginative spark required to break-out of the accepted routine.
What sort of assignment do you want?

There are lots of dynamics to consider and it'll probably start with a conversation with your recruitment agent. Health warning: adapters should steer clear of adopter assignments.