The Recruiter's View with Charlie Bigger

My first recruitment-related role was in business development at one of Ireland’s top job boards. It gave me a brilliant overview of the recruitment world and just how valuable talent attraction is to building great companies. I worked with most of the big agencies too, so I got a great insight into the agency side of things early on.
Since then, I’ve worked across tech companies and other recruitment-focused businesses, which eventually led me to combine the two areas and dive into Tech Recruitment at Brightwater. I really enjoy the world of tech recruitment and especially the contract space. It’s fast-paced, strategic, and full of opportunity.

I focus on technology recruitment but have also recruited in the life sciences space. What’s interesting is how much crossover there’s been due to so much digital transformation in recent years, so I find my background across both sectors gives me a bit of a niche edge.

In terms of trends, contracting has become more established and respected in recent years and we’re seeing consistent growth. Contractors love the variety, but employers really value depth of expertise, so whether it’s a specific programming language or niche industry knowledge, that kind of specialisation can give candidates a real advantage.

Soft skills are key and, honestly, just as important as technical skills. Contractors need to be adaptable because every workplace is different. Being organised and task-focused is crucial too—no one’s going to micromanage you, so you need to hit the ground running. Self-motivation, clear communication, and being comfortable with change all go a long way.

Reputation is massively important in the contract world. It’s a small community, and chances are you’ll come across the same hiring managers and recruiters again and again. If you’ve built a strong reputation it can absolutely open doors to new opportunities without even having to look for them.

It’s particularly important for contractors. They can really benefit from strong recruiter relationships, and from connecting with other contractors too. I always encourage people to chat with colleagues—especially fellow contractors—about their experiences, previous roles, and how they got placed. They can gain really valuable insights just from those casual conversations.

Yes, absolutely. There are lots of great events and meet-ups, particularly for tech contractors, that can be hugely beneficial. I’ve worked with a lot of Python developers, for example, and I’ve found that “Python Ireland” and “EuroPython” are great events for networking and building industry knowledge. There are similar events for lots of different disciplines, as well as meet-ups, professional organisations, and LinkedIn groups—all great ways to keep up to date and network.

Being active and visible in their chosen industry can be a great way to stand out. That can be as simple as posting on LinkedIn, attending (or speaking at) events, and contributing to groups.
But the basics matter too, and it’s crucial to have a good CV and strong interview skills.
A common mistake I see is contractors listing roles without much detail. Even if you’ve had loads of short-term projects, it’s worth breaking out the key achievements, technologies used, and problems solved. And don’t assume everyone knows the company you worked for—give a line of context so people understand the scope of what you did.

Find your niche. The variety in contracting is brilliant, but if you’re thinking long-term, it’s smart to focus on a specific area where you can really build deep expertise. Whether that’s a technology, industry, or methodology, becoming the go-to person for something is a great way to stand out and stay in demand.

Contracting is going from strength to strength and it’s becoming more recognised and valued overall. I expect that sectors where it’s already embedded—such as tech and life sciences—will continue to grow. I’d also expect that we’ll see increased demand in sectors where contracting is currently used to a lesser extent.
I know people are probably sick of discussing AI, but there’s no doubt that it will continue to change the landscape for us all, so adaptability and soft skills are going to be ever more important.

Absolutely. In tech, change is constant, but right now, it feels especially fast. AI, blockchain, Web3, quantum computing… there’s a lot happening. My advice would be to try and pick one or two that are likely to impact your area directly and start building knowledge there. You don’t have to be an expert in everything, but you do want to stay ahead of the curve wherever possible.