Contracting: A Guide For Transitioning Into The Contract Market

Contracting in the Games Industry: A Guide for First-Time Contractors

The games industry is changing. Contract roles are becoming increasingly common, and more studios are building teams around projects, specialist requirements and changing production needs. For candidates who have spent their careers in permanent employment, this can create new opportunities, but it can also create a lot of questions.

If you’ve never worked as a contractor before, even the basics can feel unfamiliar. How does contracting actually work? What should you think about before accepting a contract? How do you make sure the financial side makes sense? And what do you need to have in place before your first day?

What will you learn?

We’ve designed the guide specifically for people considering their first move into contract work, particularly those coming from a permanent employment background.

Inside, you’ll find a straightforward introduction to the contractor market, along with practical information designed to help you understand what changes when you move from permanent employment to contracting.

The guide will help you understand:

• The different ways you can work as a contractor
• How contracting differs from permanent employment
• How contractors are typically paid
• What an umbrella company is and when you might use one
• What setting up your own company involves
• How to approach calculating a realistic day rate
• The additional costs and considerations that are easy to overlook
• What to think about before accepting a contract role

We’ve also included useful external resources so you can continue researching the areas most relevant to your situation.

Our recruiters regularly speak with candidates who are interested in contract opportunities but have never worked as contractors before. In an industry where contract roles are becoming increasingly common, that lack of familiarity can become a genuine barrier.

Our aim is to make that first step a little less intimidating.

You don’t need to become an expert in contracting before considering a contract role. But understanding the basics can give you the confidence to ask the right questions, understand what you’re being offered and decide whether contracting is right for you.

[READ THE FULL GAMES INDUSTRY CONTRACTING GUIDE HERE]

If you’re considering your first contract role, this is a good place to start.