Essentially im a computer programmer by trade, but Im sort of err'ing more towards just talking about work than actually doing any these days (ie consultancy)

The main thing with any contract is a very simple one, they are looking for someone who can do what they want doing!
They tend not to be as worried about your long term plans etc as for a permenant role, and even to a certain extent less worried about if you "fit in" with the team (although in some roles thats important) but generally its very skills focussed IME but again, will vary on the line of work im sure.

Experience though, is everything really, when im interviewing for a contractor I take no notice at all of bits of paper etc, I ask them deeply technical questions and judge from their answers if they are any good or not and I want concrete examples of where they have used the skills, so I want them to be talking about past projects they have worked on etc.