Insights for Microsoft contractors
Contractor workload
The freelancers that took part in our survey work an average of 39 hours a week, although this varies between 8 and 70 hours per week.
Average total contract length: 6 months and 3 weeks
Longest contract length: 6 years and 10 months
Percentage of freelancers that have worked on projects that have lasted 12 months or more: 19%
Average number of current clients: 3
Percentage of freelancers only working for one client: 43%
The freelancers that took part in our survey work an average of 39 hours a week, although this varies between 8 and 70 hours per week.
Average total contract length: 6 months and 3 weeks
Longest contract length: 6 years and 10 months
Percentage of freelancers that have worked on projects that have lasted 12 months or more: 19%
Average number of current clients: 3
Percentage of freelancers only working for one client: 43%
Are contractors traveling for work?
- Never
26%
- Rarely
40%
- Sometimes
23%
- Usually
10%
- Always
1%
How to increase your contract rate
When it comes to contract rates, striking the balance between charging what you’re worth and being accessible to customers can be tricky—especially in a fast-moving, talent-strapped ecosystem like cloud tech.
If you’ve crunched the numbers on your overheads, or found that average market rates have risen beyond what you’re charging, it might be time to have a conversation with your clients.
Increasing your rates is never easy, but doing a bit of research and outlining your reasoning in advance will set you up for success. Here are a few tips to help you prepare.
Back up your case with evidence
When you want to prove that you’re worth what you’re asking, remember to bring the receipts. It’s all too easy to finish a job and quickly move on to the next, but outlining your achievements and quantifying what you’ve delivered for the client is a lot easier if you’ve been keeping track. Make a log of your wins, including any KPIs you’ve helped boost and processes you’ve improved, so you can sum up your value and remind the client of the return they’re getting by investing in your services.
Show off your differentiators
You can add oomph to your professional profile (and in turn, command higher rates) by developing your skills around new or burgeoning products and building in-demand knowledge. Maybe you’ve already built valuable experience with a product but need to put a bow on it: try earning a certification to help make your enhanced skillset more tangible to the client.
Be creative with service offerings
With contractors and businesses alike feeling the economic pinch, not every client will be willing or able to pay your new rate. Being flexible and creating alternative options for clients can help you keep your diary full without selling yourself short. Create service options or packages that give you long-term security and allow clients to spread costs, for example.
Attraction and retention
What makes a contractor accept a contract offer?
Earning potential
0
%
Ability to work remotely
0
%
Duration of project
0
%
| Technologies used in the project | 58% |
| Flexible hours | 47% |
| Number of hours or days per week | 41% |
| Management philosophy | 38% |
| Complexity of project | 31% |
| The industry the project/organization is in | 31% |
| Quality standards | 29% |
| Size of project | 28% |
| Other | 3% |
| Technologies used in the project | 58% |
| Flexible hours | 47% |
| Number of hours or days per week | 41% |
| Management philosophy | 38% |
| Complexity of project | 31% |
| The industry the project/organization is in | 31% |
| Quality standards | 29% |
| Size of project | 28% |
| Other | 3% |
What are the key attributes you need to be a contractor?
We asked contractors which qualities are most important if a professional is to succeed as a self-employed Microsoft professional, and the top five responses were:
Adaptability
54%
Soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict management)
50%
Technical expertise
45%
Microsoft-specific experience
39%
Openness to new challenges
34%
What challenges do you face working as a contractor?
| Finding new customers | 47% |
| Work-life balance | 32% |
| Clients changing the scope of a project | 28% |
| Unrealistic expectations from clients | 27% |
| Networking | 23% |
| Keeping up to date with admin | 21% |
| Late customer payments/invoicing | 21% |
| What to do in periods of no work | 20% |
| Competition | 17% |
| Lack of communication from clients | 16% |
| Knowing when to refuse a project because it's unsuitable | 13% |
| Time management | 12% |
| Procrastination/motivation | 7% |
| Knowing when to refuse a project because I already have enough work | 7% |
| None | 10% |
| Other | 2% |
What advice would contractors give to those considering going freelance?
We asked the contractors that took part in our survey what advice they’d give to those considering starting their freelance journey—responses include:
- Be sure to make time and budget for vacation “Realize you will not and cannot work 52 weeks a year!” Project Manager, United Kingdom
- Budget for the benefits that you’d miss out on from a permanent employer
- Keep your skills up to date
- Build a network of contacts before you start “Build a strong network of contacts prior to going out on your own so that you can find work easily.”Program Manager, Australia
- Learn to say no and don’t take on every project that comes your way
- Be confident in your abilities
- Be sure to manage your time effectively
- Learn to market yourself
- Challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone
- Learn to negotiate your rate
Conclusion
Offering levels of flexibility, autonomy, and variety rarely found in permanent roles, contracting can be a rewarding and lucrative option for many Microsoft professionals. If you’re considering a move into the world of freelancing, it’s a good idea to get your ducks in a row before you start. According to our respondents, finding new customers and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are among the biggest challenges today’s cloud contractors face, but dedicating time to networking and being realistic about how much you can, and will, work over the course of the year can help make the journey a little smoother.
