n00bie alert! Service Management/Project Management

kanulondon · 29th July 2008, 01:07

Hello,

Been reading forums and speaking to contractor friends with much enthusiasm of late as I have been upskilling at work as I prepare to go contracting.

I've done most of my homework, but I know somethings will still take me by surprise. I've set up a Ltd Co and the rest of that jazz.

I guess my concern is about feasability of acquiring a job whilst still in permie employment, as I see some contracts are looking for quick appointments. I do not intend to quit my job, but may have to I guess?

Any views on this prospect?

My next issue is what to start off doing? I am not fussy on location or role so much, as long as the pay is OK (understand it will be lower for first role)

I recently gained my ITIL Red Badge (V2 and V3) as well as Prince2 Practioner. Also have plently of real world experience to back in up with my current employer. I am currently working as Major Incident Manager..

Any other ITIL / Service Management type contractor out there? Any recommendations for agencies or sources for jobs?

Thanks in advance for response, and also thanks for a CUK for a great website with useful info.

KL

malvolio · 29th July 2008, 07:48

Bad time to leave pemiedom anyway, but reality check time.

If you want to leave, then leave. You may be lucky (I was) but if you wait for the contract first you'll still be there in a few years time. Assume you will not be earning for three months, minimum. Be prepared to get a junior role, paper qualies mean not very much in Service Management (they are simply a differentiator and R3 ITIL is largely a money-earner for the institution anyway, it adds no real world value to the process). Unless you have huge experience in the field as a permie, you have no contracting history and are therefore largely unproven. Finally, "all that jazz" is largely a step off a cliff with no easy way back; do not treat it lightly.

This is a big decision and many people freeze when their corporate support structure is suddenly no longer there. If you can cope, it's great; snag is you won't know until you try...

pmeswani · 29th July 2008, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanulondon

Hello,

Been reading forums and speaking to contractor friends with much enthusiasm of late as I have been upskilling at work as I prepare to go contracting.

I've done most of my homework, but I know somethings will still take me by surprise. I've set up a Ltd Co and the rest of that jazz.

I guess my concern is about feasability of acquiring a job whilst still in permie employment, as I see some contracts are looking for quick appointments. I do not intend to quit my job, but may have to I guess?

Any views on this prospect?

My next issue is what to start off doing? I am not fussy on location or role so much, as long as the pay is OK (understand it will be lower for first role)

I recently gained my ITIL Red Badge (V2 and V3) as well as Prince2 Practioner. Also have plently of real world experience to back in up with my current employer. I am currently working as Major Incident Manager..

Any other ITIL / Service Management type contractor out there? Any recommendations for agencies or sources for jobs?

Thanks in advance for response, and also thanks for a CUK for a great website with useful info.

KL

Best not to leave a Permie role until you have secured your first contract. You may end up out of work for some time (as malvolio already stated). I started my first contract in November last year, by pure luck. You may want to look at revamping your CV (if not already done) and putting it on various job boards (jobsite, jobserve, etc). There is a useful section on this site on how to jazz up your CV.

BWW1981 · 29th July 2008, 08:44

Hi pmeswani, do you have the link to the section that helps you tart your CV up?

Cheers

pmeswani · 29th July 2008, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWW1981

Hi pmeswani, do you have the link to the section that helps you tart your CV up?

Cheers

Have a look at http://www.contractoruk.com/news/00383.html and http://www.contractoruk.com/news/00405.html

My CV is a slight variation of the above link, but the principle is the same.

BWW1981 · 29th July 2008, 08:48

Cheers!

kanulondon · 29th July 2008, 13:01

Thanks for the sounds advice guys.

Apologies for the reference to 'all that jazz' all I meant is that I am fully aware of the paper trail and the issuettes associated with running your own MyCoLtd.

I have been building up to this for the last 6 months. I've got money saved in the bank too should things not go so well to start off with.

I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, I work for one of the big 2 UK banks and I've had it up to hear with all the politics.

mad

I'm confident that I have the experience to back up the qualifications, but I am glad I took them as I hope they open doors for me.

Is it REALLY such a bad time to look for your first contract? I've seen a number of roles I feel I'd be suitable for, however I now I'm 'fresh fish' and I may struggle initially.

The one thing I will need to plan for is looking for that first contract. I intend to start looking in Sept (after a long holiday) and if nothing comes in within the first few months I'll have to bite the bullet and I-resign.com

But it's all good....all part of the master plan.

Am working on CV will be joining the recommended recruiters in August.

Anyone else working within the ITIL best practice field?

kanulondon · 31st July 2008, 10:08

So does anyone know what to expect from a first contract?

And also what would be a reasonable rate if I looked for a position from Leeds/Manchester upwards?

KL

pmeswani · 31st July 2008, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanulondon

So does anyone know what to expect from a first contract?

And also what would be a reasonable rate if I looked for a position from Leeds/Manchester upwards?

KL

I don't know what to expect for a rate in Leeds / Manc. on the role you are applying for... but my only advise to use your first contract as a learning curve. If things don't work out, learn from it and move on.

malvolio · 31st July 2008, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanulondon

Anyone else working within the ITIL best practice field?

Me. Cojak. Bound to be some others

But btw, there's a differentiator between you and me right away. You've seen it in what, one environment and one, maybe two companies. We've seen it in several industry verticals and in my case around 30 companies...