How to Feel More at Home in a Contract Role

How to Feel More at Home in a Contract Role How to Feel More at Home in a Contract Role More and more smart, savvy professionals are taking advantage of the fact that companies are looking towards the enormous pool of talent to be found outside the confines of full-time, in-house employment. We have technology to thank for the the ever-increasing ways we can maintain seamless communication with the companies we contract for, whether or not we’re physically present â€" or even in the same time zone. But beyond the realization that there is a lot of opportunity for work outside the conventional paradigm of 9-to-5 on-site positions, there is the reality of day-to-day happiness on the job within this new world order. The pros of contract work are many: great flexibility, often higher pay, the lack of feeling tied down - and even freedom from workplace politics. But there are also drawbacks: feeling out of the loop, isolated, expendable, marginalized and, at times, overworked. As social animals, humans â€" whether contractors or full-time employees â€" thrive when certain basic aspects of inclusion are met. Here’s how to advocate for yourself as a contractor, and make sure that the people you’re working with day in and day out see you as a part of the team (whether or not you work in their physical presence). A crucial stage for any employee, onboarding is where new hires get familiar with the people and processes they’ll be working with. As a contractor, this process is no less important, but it’s often overlooked. When you accept contract work, it’s a great time to bring up the topic of onboarding. Ask your hiring manager or HR rep to tell you how they manage onboarding for contractors, remote, part-time and contingent workers. Even if they don’t have a thought-out onboarding process in place, it might spur them to put something together to make you feel welcomed and well-oriented in your new position. Any business needs the commitment and participation of all of its employees, regardless of their status or title. Open communication is a vital component of a healthy company culture , allowing ideas to be shared and helping to make employees feel included. But because contract workers are often brought on as a stop-gap measure to help get a specific, unwieldy project over the finish line, they can be seen as drones who don’t need to be communicated with. If the company you’re doing contract work for doesn’t initiate good lines of communication, it’s incumbent on you to ask for it. Tell your manager that you’d like to know what the expectations are for your role, both short- and long-term. Ultimately, it’s in everyone’s best interest for you as a contributor to be set up for success, and your initiative won’t go unrecognized. Being a remote employee can be an isolating experience. You’re on your own a lot, interacting with your team via messenger or conference tools. And while you might be getting the occasional company newsletter, it’s just not the same thing as being in the office. Ask your manager to help you feel more connected by regularly sharing news and events . For trainings or events that you can’t attend in person, ask to see relevant notes and documents. If a conference or specific training comes up that would require travel to attend in person, make an effort to join. Even if you could justify not going, it’s often a great opportunity to meet with colleagues in person, and that in-person collaboration will boost team bonding. A focus on team building shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions, though. Hopefully your company’s culture promotes team collaboration on a regular basis, as there are many creative and fun ways to encourage teams to bond . If you hear of an employee off-site, feel free to ask your manager if contractors might be included. If they are, make an effort to attend. And if they’re not, be sure to respect the occasional need for full-time staff to bond with one another without temporary or contingent contractors. Making time for regular lunch dates with your team is an easy way to connect . It naturally fosters friendships and can actually help boost productivity . If you’re a remote employee who is hardly in the office, it can be challenging to take advantage of this casual way to build a connection. So make a point to reach out to a few colleagues in advance of any days you know you’ll be on site to plan for a team lunch. For the rest of the year, try a video conference equivalent. It might feel funny to eat lunch in front of a camera at first, but the initial awkwardness will be worth the feeling of being part of the team. A great company culture keeps everyone â€" no matter their status or role â€" involved, motivated and excited. But â€" when you think about it â€" what makes a great company culture ? It’s the people. And you, as a person working for the company, can play a role in advocating for a great experience as a contractor. When you’re engaged, connected and effective in your role, your colleagues will embrace you as an indispensable part of the team.