Insights for NetSuite contractors
Whatever the NetSuite role, use our guide to benchmark your salary, or to uncover what you should be paying employees in your team.
Contractor workload
- The freelancers that took part in our survey work an average of 38 hours a week, although this varies between 12 and 70 hours. per week
- Average total contract length: 5 months and 3 weeks
- Longest contract length: 1 year and 11 months
- Percentage of freelancers that have worked on projects that have lasted 12 months or more: 16%
- Average number of current clients: 3
- Percentage of freelancers only working for one client: 25%
How to increase your contract rate
Attraction and retention
What makes a contractor accept a contract offer?
| Earning potential | 85% |
| Ability to work remotely | 70% |
| Complexity of project | 52% |
| Duration of project | 45% |
| Flexible hours | 45% |
| Size of project | 39% |
| Number of hours or days per week | 36% |
| Management philosophy | 33% |
| The industry the project/organization is in | 30% |
| Quality standards | 27% |
| Technologies used in project | 18% |
| Other | 3% |
LinkedIn poll
What are the main attributes you need to be a contractor?
| NetSuite-specific experience | 50% |
| Project management | 50% |
| Adaptability | 41% |
| Soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict management) | 41% |
| Openness to new challenges | 32% |
| Selling your abilities to a client | 26% |
| Change-management experience | 24% |
| Drive and enthusiasm | 24% |
| Technical expertise | 24% |
| Leadership | 24% |
What challenges do you face working as a contractor?
| Finding new contracts/customers | 65% |
| Work-life balance | 44% |
| Unrealistic expectations of clients | 26% |
| Clients changing the scope of a project | 26% |
| Time management | 21% |
| Lack of communication from clients | 21% |
| What to do in periods of no work | 21% |
| Keeping up to date with admin | 15% |
| There is lots of competition | 15% |
| Procrastination/motivation | 15% |
| Late customer payments/invoicing | 12% |
| Knowing when to refuse a project because it's unsuitable | 12% |
| Knowing when to refuse a project because I already have enough work | 9% |
| Other | 3% |
What advice would contractors give to those considering going freelance?
“Develop a portfolio showcasing your best work and projects. This will help potential clients evaluate your skills and experience. If you are just starting, consider taking on pro bono or discounted projects to build your portfolio.”
Business Analyst, United States
“To start with build your skill set and leverage it to earn big. Then later learn how to fish for clients and maintain communication with them. Always ensure you deliver quality in your work and ensure the client gets value for their money. This way you won’t have to worry about having to convince the clients to stay.”
Software Engineer, United States
“Specialize in a specific area or industry to differentiate yourself from the competition. Focusing on a niche allows you to become an expert in your field and attract clients who value your specialized knowledge.”
Technical Lead, United States
“Be prepared for anything, keep money in the bank for dry periods, and always tell everyone what you do! Have an elevator pitch!”
CEO, United States
“Make sure you balance the workload that you take on.”
Sales Consultant, United States
“Network, build and maintain client relations.”
Financial Controller, United States
Conclusion
The financial incentives on offer in a skills-scarce landscape continue to make freelancing an attractive option to many within the NetSuite ecosystem. Businesses benefit from a candidate’s specialist knowledge at getting projects over the line, whereas the individual receives a handsome remuneration in return. It’s the perfect match, yes?
Well, not always. As you can see, contract work doesn’t come without its own pressures. Managing to spin several plates at the same time, while also looking and interviewing for new opportunities, as well as the other admin involved, can make it a career path best suited to those with a very specific mindset.
However, no matter where your skills lie it’s clear that if you are considering making the move, that NetSuite experience is key to your success—and if you don’t have that, you need a niche to be able to market yourself attractively.
Our key findings report contains highlights from this year’s Careers and Hiring Guide, plus our salary tables allow you to compare your salary or benchmark your teams’ salaries no matter their role in the NetSuite ecosystem.
