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How to go for the first contract

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    How to go for the first contract

    So after a life as a permie I've decided to go contracting. Why? The last five years have consisted of
    • Jobs outsourced abroad twice (Singapore and Bulgaria)
    • One company interviewing for one job giving me something completely different, let alone their culture.........
    • And another(the current) interviewing me but not mentioning it was supporting decade plus old technology and the is team due to be dissolved and redundant in 18 months.


    So I've read up on the first steps will probably employ one of those online will do it all if a bit expensive accountants for the first year to keep on top of the paperwork while I'll learn the ins and outs.

    I've decided I want a limited company.

    I've come to the conclusion that after I return from my holiday in America (late April) I'll speak to the agencies for 2-4 weeks with a 4 week period of notice to see if I can get a contract. Then probably hand my notice in so I can be more immediately available.

    Any comments on this as an approach?

    Thanks in advance.

    #2
    This link is really good, for starters. -> http://forums.contractoruk.com/welco...ml#post1087734

    A word of caution about agents:
    - If you see his/her lips moving, it is a lie.
    - If you hear anything from them, it is a lie.

    Comment


      #3
      And yes, don't get carried away by the grumpy NLUK. His advise is sound!

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by grendelprime View Post
        So after a life as a permie I've decided to go contracting. Why? The last five years have consisted of
        • Jobs outsourced abroad twice (Singapore and Bulgaria)
        • One company interviewing for one job giving me something completely different, let alone their culture.........
        • And another(the current) interviewing me but not mentioning it was supporting decade plus old technology and the is team due to be dissolved and redundant in 18 months.

        Oddly enough going contracting won't help you escape this. Plenty of us are canned because the role gets offshored and more than enough of us have turned up on site and the gig we signed up for has suddenly changed.

        So I've read up on the first steps will probably employ one of those online will do it all if a bit expensive accountants for the first year to keep on top of the paperwork while I'll learn the ins and outs.
        I think you will find they are not expensive. They are the going rate for a good accountant, which will save you a lot of money that you would have lost with a cheap one. I wouldn't go for an online only one in my first gig so I have someone to call/see if I need to. As long as they provide this you'll be fine.

        I've decided I want a limited company.

        I've come to the conclusion that after I return from my holiday in America (late April) I'll speak to the agencies for 2-4 weeks with a 4 week period of notice to see if I can get a contract. Then probably hand my notice in so I can be more immediately available.

        Any comments on this as an approach?

        Thanks in advance.
        Have a good read through all the posts in this forum as this process has been asked by most new guys. Also have a look at how to search the forums as described in the sticky at the top of this thread.
        http://forums.contractoruk.com/welco...uk-forums.html

        Plenty of advice about how to start if you can find the right keywords.

        Finding a client that will wait 4 weeks will be a very big ask. You really need to be able to interview mid week and start the Monday after. You also need to be prepared to travel so need to get your head around that.

        Make sure you have a good warchest behind you as well. It's highly likely you could spend a month or more on the bench before getting your first, or even your second gig.
        'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by grendelprime View Post
          I've come to the conclusion that after I return from my holiday in America (late April) I'll speak to the agencies for 2-4 weeks with a 4 week period of notice to see if I can get a contract. Then probably hand my notice in so I can be more immediately available.
          Research your market carefully - if there's no market for your skills, then you may be better off where you are.
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          Click here to get 15% off your first year's IPSE membership

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by FatLazyContractor View Post
            A word of caution about agents:
            - If you see his/her lips moving, it is a lie.
            - If you hear anything from them, it is a lie.

            I had that feeling the time I dealt with recruiters after the first outsourcing. And they only appear to be getting worse.

            One contract based recruiter I spoke appeared to be interested in primarily selling me back to companies I've previously worked for.

            Another recently called me in work introducing himself as a headhunter ! Given I sit between the two managers above me and recently lost my Father I wasn't interested but it still took some effort to get rid of him.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
              Oddly enough going contracting won't help you escape this. Plenty of us are canned because the role gets offshored and more than enough of us have turned up on site and the gig we signed up for has suddenly changed.



              I think you will find they are not expensive. They are the going rate for a good accountant, which will save you a lot of money that you would have lost with a cheap one. I wouldn't go for an online only one in my first gig so I have someone to call/see if I need to. As long as they provide this you'll be fine.



              Have a good read through all the posts in this forum as this process has been asked by most new guys. Also have a look at how to search the forums as described in the sticky at the top of this thread.
              http://forums.contractoruk.com/welco...uk-forums.html

              Plenty of advice about how to start if you can find the right keywords.

              Finding a client that will wait 4 weeks will be a very big ask. You really need to be able to interview mid week and start the Monday after. You also need to be prepared to travel so need to get your head around that.

              Make sure you have a good warchest behind you as well. It's highly likely you could spend a month or more on the bench before getting your first, or even your second gig.
              Accountants I've looked at are about £70 - £100 pound a month. An ex contractor at one company told me an accountant can do the necessary work for about £20 a month if you keep on top of your paperwork. Given I've no idea how much paperwork is going to be involved I'm playing safe.

              As a contractor if a job is suddenly changed on me at the end of the contract I'll be looking to change even if they offered an extension. Given my recent experiences in the last two jobs it's a way of working that applies to me.

              I thought 4 weeks would be an issue but I'll try first before handing the notice in.

              As for traveling I'm driving an hour each way to work already. A further distance isn't a problem if I'm not caught in traffic. But staying away from home isn't an option as I'm sole occupier and have "inherited" 3 cats from others who could no longer look after them.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by grendelprime View Post
                Accountants I've looked at are about £70 - £100 pound a month. An ex contractor at one company told me an accountant can do the necessary work for about £20 a month if you keep on top of your paperwork. Given I've no idea how much paperwork is going to be involved I'm playing safe.
                I'd like to hear more about what those £20-a-month accountants really do. Or are they £20-a-week ones?! Be very cautious.

                Originally posted by grendelprime View Post

                I thought 4 weeks would be an issue but I'll try first before handing the notice in.
                Yes a 4 week notice doesn't sound very welcoming. You are doing the right thing by trying all your options. If you manage to find a client that can wait, you are very lucky.

                Originally posted by grendelprime View Post

                As for traveling I'm driving an hour each way to work already. A further distance isn't a problem if I'm not caught in traffic. But staying away from home isn't an option as I'm sole occupier and have "inherited" 3 cats from others who could no longer look after them.
                From your location, I see you live up North. I cannot comment on your situation with animals at home.

                However you may have to travel on a Monday and get home on a Friday unless you are extremely lucky to find a local contract. Don't expect to be home every night, is what I am trying to say!

                Good luck with your hunt. And be very cautious with agents. The only good one is a dead one.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by grendelprime View Post
                  Accountants I've looked at are about £70 - £100 pound a month. An ex contractor at one company told me an accountant can do the necessary work for about £20 a month if you keep on top of your paperwork. Given I've no idea how much paperwork is going to be involved I'm playing safe.
                  I pay my window cleaner more than that a month. Do you really think that is enough to secure the services of a qualified accountant? How much effort would you offer for £20. Got to use a bit of nouse if you are going to go contracting as you are on your own. Don't let everyone else run your business. It's yours and you are also legally responsible for the finances as you have to sign them off at the end of the year.

                  As a contractor if a job is suddenly changed on me at the end of the contract I'll be looking to change even if they offered an extension. Given my recent experiences in the last two jobs it's a way of working that applies to me.
                  Pedantic point but when you start a contract it isn't a job as a permie might see it. It's a short term assignment, gig, contract etc. Yes you can call it a job but have to make sure you have your head around what it really is.

                  I thought 4 weeks would be an issue but I'll try first before handing the notice in.
                  You are just going to be wasting their time and yours to be honest. There is a very very slight chance this might work but you are going to waste a lot of time of interviewing to come to nothing.

                  As for traveling I'm driving an hour each way to work already. A further distance isn't a problem if I'm not caught in traffic. But staying away from home isn't an option as I'm sole occupier and have "inherited" 3 cats from others who could no longer look after them.
                  An hour a day seriously reduces your chances of work, particularly if you do live up north you are going to struggle to find end to end contracts within an hour. I live outside Manchester and in 7 years of contracting (and a long time permie before that) I've not had anything less than an hour. The Swinton Interchange on the M60, particularly with roadworks makes even a trip to the pub over an hour.
                  'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I've lived in Leeds for eight years now and only had one daily commutable contract, and that was in Manchester.

                    You've got no chance living in the back of beyond...

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