How to Write Job Descriptions That Appeal to High-Demand Tech Contractors

In the fast-paced world of IT contracting, top professionals have plenty of choices. With high demand for their skills, they can afford to be selective about the roles they pursue. As a recruiter or hiring manager, your job description is the first impression you make. It needs to be clear, compelling, and tailored to the needs of tech contractors who prioritise flexibility, remuneration, and interesting projects.

This guide will help you craft job descriptions that attract the best talent on GoContract, a job board that specializes in Tech and IT recruitment, ensuring you stand out in a competitive market.

1. Understand What Tech Contractors Look For

Unlike permanent employees, tech contractors have distinct priorities when evaluating job opportunities. They seek:

Competitive day rates – Transparency about remuneration is key.

Clear contract length – Be specific about the duration and potential extensions.

Flexible working arrangements – Many contractors prefer remote or hybrid work options.

Challenging and engaging projects – Highlight the technology stack and project impact.

Streamlined hiring process – A long, complex application process can deter high-demand professionals.

2. Use a Clear and Engaging Job Title

Your job title should immediately communicate the role and attract relevant candidates. Avoid jargon or overly generic titles. Instead of “IT Consultant Needed”, go for “Senior Cloud Security Consultant – 6-Month Contract, Remote”. Including key details like contract length and remote options helps contractors assess the opportunity quickly.

3. Write a Concise Yet Informative Job Summary

Your opening paragraph should immediately engage the reader. Clearly state:

The company name and sector

The project’s purpose and significance

The contractor’s role in delivering key outcomes

For example:

We are looking for an experienced Full-Stack Developer to support a high-impact fintech project. This six-month contract offers an exciting opportunity to work with cutting-edge cloud technologies in a dynamic, agile environment.

4. Clearly Outline Key Responsibilities

High-demand contractors want to know what is expected of them. Use bullet points to list responsibilities, making them easy to scan. Focus on specific tasks rather than generic descriptions.

Example:

Develop and optimise microservices architecture using Node.js and AWS Lambda

Collaborate with DevOps teams to enhance CI/CD pipelines

Implement security best practices in API development

Work with stakeholders to translate technical requirements into solutions

5. Highlight Essential Skills and Experience

Differentiate between must-have and nice-to-have skills. Being specific helps contractors quickly determine if they are the right fit.

Example:

Must-have skills:

5+ years of experience in cloud-based software development

Proficiency in JavaScript (Node.js) and Python

Experience with AWS services, including Lambda, DynamoDB, and API Gateway

Nice-to-have skills:

Knowledge of Terraform or Kubernetes

Prior experience in fintech or regulated industries

6. Specify Contract Details and Benefits

Transparency is key. Ensure your job description includes:

Contract length (e.g., “6-month contract with possible extension”)

Day rate (e.g., “£600–£700 per day, outside IR35”)

Work arrangement (remote, hybrid, on-site)

Payment terms (weekly, monthly, 14-day invoice terms)

By providing this information upfront, you demonstrate clarity and professionalism, making your role more attractive.

7. Showcase Your Company and Project Appeal

Independent Contractors often work on multiple short-term projects, so they need to know why they should choose yours. Highlight:

The company’s reputation and industry standing

Interesting aspects of the project

Future opportunities (e.g., contract extensions, repeat engagements)

Example:

Join a globally recognised e-commerce company building AI-driven recommendation engines. This project involves collaboration with leading data scientists and engineers in a fast-moving, innovative environment.

8. Keep the Application Process Simple

Tech contractors prefer a streamlined hiring process. Clearly outline the steps:

Submit CV or LinkedIn profile

Short technical screening call

One-stage interview with project lead

Offer within 48 hours

If your process is too lengthy or unclear, contractors may move on to another opportunity.

9. Use Keywords for Better Visibility

To ensure your job listing reaches the right audience, optimise it with relevant keywords. Use terms contractors are likely to search for, such as:

“AWS DevOps Engineer contract”

“Cybersecurity Consultant remote contract”

“Java Developer freelance UK”

This improves visibility and attracts more qualified candidates.

10. End with a Clear Call to Action

Encourage contractors to apply by making the next step obvious.

Example:

If you’re a skilled DevOps Engineer looking for an exciting contract role, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now via GoContract or contact [[email protected]] for more details.

See detailed Job Description sample below:

Job Title: Senior DevOps Engineer – 6-Month Contract (Remote, Outside IR35)

Job Summary:
We are seeking an experienced Senior DevOps Engineer to join our cloud infrastructure team for a high-impact fintech project. This 6-month contract (with potential extension) offers an opportunity to work with cutting-edge cloud technologies in a fast-paced, agile environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Design, implement, and maintain CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins and GitHub Actions.

Automate cloud infrastructure deployment with Terraform and AWS CloudFormation.

Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues to ensure high availability.

Implement security best practices across infrastructure and application layers.

Collaborate with software engineers to optimise container orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes).

Must-Have Skills:

5+ years of experience in DevOps engineering.

Expertise in AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, ECS, RDS).

Strong scripting skills in Python, Bash, or Go.

Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible).

Hands-on knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and version control (Git).

Nice-to-Have Skills:

Exposure to GCP or Azure.

Knowledge of network security and compliance standards.

Prior experience in fintech or regulated industries.

Contract Details:

Duration: 6 months, with potential for extension.

Day Rate: £600–£700 per day (outside IR35).

Work Arrangement: Fully remote (UK-based candidates preferred).

Payment Terms: 14-day invoice cycle.

How to Apply:
If you are a skilled DevOps Engineer looking for an exciting contract role, apply now via GoContract or email your CV to [email protected].

Next Steps?

Writing job descriptions that appeal to high-demand tech contractors requires clarity, transparency, and a focus on what matters to them. By applying these best practices, you can increase your chances of attracting top-tier professionals to your projects on GoContract.

Posting jobs for free on GoContract allows you to do all these effortlessly, giving you access to a specialised job board where top IT contractors find their next role. Our pay-per-interest-click pricing model ensures you only pay for genuine interest, making recruitment cost-effective and result-driven.