How to impress IT recruiters behind contract/perm tech jobs

Securing a new role in a challenging jobs market is no mean feat but knowing where to look, who to reach out to, and the most common CV red flags to avoid, are crucial to succeed in a tech job search.

And that was the case in Q1 2025 and will be the case in this second quarter too, whether you’re an IT contractor eyeing a permanent position or vice versa, writes James Walsh, business director at Hays UK&I, specialising in cyber, data and cloud.

Best way to approach a tech recruitment agency?

There are many ways to reach out to IT recruitment agencies -- ways that are both effective and professional.

The most suitable style of communication depends largely on the specific staffing business and their preferred method for initial contact.

Sourcing a relevant email address and approaching an agency ‘cold’ in this way is worthwhile, as it makes a formal first impression. An email enables you to compose a personalised introduction and to also attach a copy of your CV.

Use LinkedIn to connect with tech recruiters: top tips

Arguably just as effective, you could go down the route of sending a direct message to one of the agency’s recruiters on LinkedIn.

This is especially worth considering in light of the growing role that LinkedIn plays across the hiring landscape today. And it’s doubly worth doing if the recruiter has an active presence on the world’s largest professional networking website!

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for both discovering tech roles and growing your network, enriched by the ‘message’ function.

How to craft a compelling LinkedIn message to a tech recruiter

Although the access and character limits can vary, sending a message on LinkedIn is an effective way to get your name in front of an IT recruiter.

Just make sure your opening message to the tech recruiter is short and concise.

A good approach to keep your message confined to just the essentials is to offer to provide additional information such as your email address, phone number and CV.

Meanwhile, having a phone call with a tech recruiter is a positive way to establish a well-connected, meaningful relationship.

As a jobbing techie, prioritise modern communication tools

But in my experience, the trick is to utilise more up-to-date communication tools, namely email and LinkedIn, to make initial contact and then schedule a time to talk that works for both parties.

A tech recruiter is better placed to assess your skills and experience, in an in-depth way, during a pre-planned phone call.

Here's an approach tech recruiters like me value...

On a video or mobile call, tech recruiters will get a feel for your suitability and the best opportunities available to you, so this really is a valued approach.

A CV can only ever say so much about a person, so it’s worthwhile having a one-to-one conversation.

This follow-up phone call is a ‘must-do’ to further demonstrate your employability.

After LinkedIn and ringing a recruiter, deploy your CV

No matter which of the paths above you choose to go down to connect with your IT recruitment agent of choice, having a strong CV is nearly always essential for continued success during the tech job application process.

And so the importance of ensuring your CV doesn’t have any pressing ‘red flags,’ that could deter a hiring manager, cannot be overstated.

CV red flags for IT contractors moving to a full-time tech roles

Contractors are accustomed to regular job changes due to the short-term nature of their roles, whereas permanent IT professionals are more likely to demonstrate stability on their CV.

However, a contractor’s background in multiple different assignments doesn’t have to be interpreted as a bad thing; given the temporary nature of their work, contractors have to constantly keep an eye out for their next opportunity.

Rather than listing a whole host of standalone experiences with no context, however, contractors should state what they learnt during that temporary opportunity. And state what they’re most proud of achieving there.

How do tech contractors overcome lack of career progression?

It’s also more difficult to move up the ladder as a contractor, so a lack of obvious career progression could be seen as a ‘red flag’ when freelance or temporary workers target a full-time position.

Tech contractors can overcome this by focusing on their consistent track record of skills, and how they’ve built upon this skillset in each role to illustrate a sense of learning and development.

Contracting often requires working independently but it’s important to convince a hiring manager you can also work well as a team, by mentioning any collaborative projects or achievements.

As a contractor, minimise jargon and limit tech babble

It’s best to avoid overly technical jargon and instead use clear language so your CV is accessible and easily understood.

On top of this, contractors can be guilty of emphasising their technical skills to the detriment of their soft skills! So it’s crucial to include a mixture of both, as well as examples of how you’ve excelled in these during your day-to-day tasks and projects.

CV tips for full-time tech employees targeting freelance gigs

Although transferable soft skills are crucial for a fulfilling career across the world of work, including tech, a strong set of specialised technical skills is typically required for success as a contractor.

Ultimately, permanent professionals who prioritise soft skills on their CVs and neglect technical ones could be at a disadvantage.

So it’s important to demonstrate your technical expertise and any experience or qualifications relevant to the contracting role.

It could be a red flag to those hiring for a temporary tech freelancer or contractor role if a CV only features a broad overview of a person’s long-term roles. Not giving details on their key skills or achievements in each position is a mistake!

Tech employees eyeing contract gigs must emphasise 'where' and 'when'

Considering contractors are usually hired for short-term needs, perm professionals need to go into detail about the specific instances where or when they’ve honed their ability to be adaptable and flexible – at the same time as delivering results in a short timeframe within tight deadlines.

If you’re a tech employee trying to break into IT contracting, it's also vital to include specific project-based experience where you’ve carried out projects quickly and independently.

That’s preferable to focusing solely on ongoing responsibilities in a full-time position.

Clearly highlight your outcomes, as there’s strength in numbers

Data-backed achievements will also stand you in good stead to secure tech assignments on a temporary basis.

Showing results using figures or percentages is crucial on your CV or in your application, particularly given that contractors are usually expected to deliver specific outcomes.

TL: DR: How to impress tech agents when going from contract to perm - or vice versa

Whether you're a technology contractor considering a permanent role or a full-time tech employee making the jump to freelance contracting, it's essential to tailor your CV to highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job you have your heart set on.

It’s also crucial to scan your CV to detect the most common red flags, as otherwise, you risk falling at the very first hurdle! 

When it comes to the best way to contact consultants from recruitment, jobs and staffing agencies in the IT sector, make sure you’re creating a positive and professional first impression through your initial communication. With a well-thought-out approach, you can confidently navigate the tech job application process and put your best foot forward in today’s competitive technology jobs market.