A clear hiring trend is emerging: UK businesses are pivoting back to contract talent, especially for high-stakes technology projects. While permanent hiring remains cautious in many sectors, contractor demand is rising, and hiring managers are under pressure to move faster and smarter to secure the best people. For businesses navigating transformation, systems upgrades, and tech adoption at speed, contractors are no longer just gap-fillers they’re strategic assets. Here’s why contract recruitment is making a comeback, and how to win the best talent before your competitors do.
Contract Roles Are Rising
Despite macroeconomic uncertainty and permanent hiring slowdowns, contract IT hiring in the UK rose 11% year-on-year as of August 2025, according to recent APSCo and REC data. Why? Businesses are under increasing pressure to:
- Accelerate digital transformation
- Deliver projects without expanding permanent headcount
- Manage compliance and cost in a post-IR35 world
Contractors offer a flexible, focused way to get this done, especially in high-skill areas like:
- Cloud & Infrastructure Modernisation
- WMS/TMS Supply Chain Projects
- Cyber Security and Risk
- Programme and Change Delivery
- AI and Data-Led Transformation
Enter the “Super Contractor”
Today’s top contractors don’t just show up and follow instructions. Hiring managers are increasingly looking for what ContractorUK recently dubbed "super contractors" — professionals who bring:
- Hands-on technical expertise
- Strategic insight and delivery leadership
- Strong communication and stakeholder influence
These are senior-level people who can shape outcomes, manage risk, and hit the ground running. They’re in high demand and they move fast.
The Speed Gap Is Your Risk
Here’s the reality: top contractors are gone in 3–5 days. If your recruitment process still involves 5 CVs, 3 interview rounds, internal delays, and “just one more” sign-off you’ve already lost them. To secure the best, hiring managers need to shorten the gap between “we need someone” and “we’re interviewing someone”. That’s where modern recruitment methods come in like video-led shortlists.
At Talent Today, our clients review fully-screened, video-profiled contractors the day after the role lands. It’s how transformation projects stay on track and why time-to-hire is now a strategic advantage, not just an admin KPI.
What Hiring Managers Can Do to Attract Top Contractors
Whether you’re hiring a Programme Manager, a Cloud Engineer, or a WMS Functional Lead, these 5 steps will help you win better contract talent and faster:
1. Define the scope clearly
Great contractors care about the mission. Be clear on what the project is, what success looks like, and how they’ll make an impact.
2. Streamline the interview process
Video shortlists help you assess communication style, experience, and fit before you commit to a formal interview. This means you only spend time face-to-face with candidates who are already well-aligned.
3. Offer flexibility
Hybrid working is still a major draw even for contractors. Be upfront about on-site expectations and time zones.
4. Engage a specialist recruiter
Generic CVs from a generalist agency waste time. A recruiter with deep sector knowledge and a contractor-first process gives you an industry edge.
5. Act quickly and be transparent
Set internal SLAs to review candidates within 24 hours. Communicate clearly about rates, IR35 status, and project timelines.
Final Thought
As contract hiring accelerates, the companies securing the best talent aren’t just offering the highest rates - they’re moving faster, briefing smarter, and using tools that cut out unnecessary delays. Contractors expect pace, clarity, and professionalism from the first interaction.
At Talent Today, we help you stay ahead with video-first contractor shortlists delivered in under 36 hours.