What it takes to be a successful Workday Contractor

Once you have Workday experience, you’re part of an elite group that’s in demand globally. Now you have this marketable skill, you may be taking stock of your career opportunities. 

Do you have what it takes to be a successful Workday contractor?

Here are 3 common characteristics that cut across skillsets and seniority. They’re based on our experience as the recruitment company 100% focused on the Workday ecosystem – and placing hundreds of contractors every year.

Flexibility

Even though contracting potentially offers more opportunities for remote working, lots of clients still want you on site, at least some of the time. If you’re looking to maximise the amount of time you’re working, you have to maximise your flexibility. If you prefer to work 100% remotely (or only want to travel 1 day a week), you may have more downtime between contracts.

If you have no location restrictions – and are willing to travel to support international implementations – then you’re much more attractive to clients, which means you’ll be able to command a slightly higher rate of pay. 

Pragmatism

Workday is increasing its penetration, and there are limited people with the right skills and experience under their belts. That means that you can potentially get a big hike in remuneration by using your experience on the contractor market.

But that doesn’t mean you’ll always be working. 

Your ability to get work (and the rate you command) depends on many factors. This includes the modules you have experience in, as well as any language skills you have. It’s also dependant on where you’re willing to work and how quickly you can start. 

As a general rule, we say you need to be working for at least 9 months of the year for contracting to be worth it financially over a permanent role (remember, as a permanent member of staff, you get additional benefits around holiday, sickness, etc. that you don’t get as a contractor).

Loyalty

The Workday ecosystem is comparatively small and very collaborative. Word travels fast, in terms of good people, good projects (and the reverse). 

Show loyalty, and don’t leave clients or colleagues in the lurch. If you get a reputation for being difficult, too maverick or unreliable, it will affect your ability to get future work. Cultivate a good reputation in the market, and you’ll find more doors open to you. 

This means that if you’re jumping around every 6 months chasing an additional £50 or £100 per day, people take note. We have an obligation to get the best people for our clients. So if you leave a contract early because of a rate increase elsewhere, it’s likely to be noted. If you’re in the midst of a project, we generally recommend seeing it out and getting that extra experience. It will pay dividends in the future!

Get more information on contractor rates – and the pros and cons of making the leap by downloading our latest eGuide. Click the button below to find out more!