Even if you’re a long-time contractor, here’s what you need to know.

At one time or another in your talent development career, you may have considered going the route of independent contractor. A part of that portfolio may entail working as a subcontractor. In “The Ins and Outs of Subcontracting,” Howard Prager, Joe Willmore, Rebecca Boyle, and Rick Hicks offer advice to TD professionals contemplating a subcontracting gig.

Network. While subcontractors themselves don’t have to necessarily find clients, they do have to make themselves known to contractors. Staying active in associations can help a TD professional stay visible.

Keep skills up-to-date. TD professionals are well-aware of the short shelf life of skills in today’s fast-moving world, and that includes their own skills. Workshops, seminars, webinars, and reading are all helpful ways to stay atop trends and platforms.

Work with multiple contractors. While ethics can be a tricky road to navigate for subcontractors, it’s OK to work with multiple contractors. However choose ones that don’t compete with each other.

Learn as much about the industry as possible. Understanding the industry in which they’re working can help subcontractors do great work and help them best represent the contractor. And that can mean repeat business.

Finally, the authors counsel that being available, flexible, and persistent are key to engendering success as a TD subcontractor.

These tips were adapted from the December 2019 issue of TD at Work. Learn more at www.td.org/TDatWork.