Permie looking to contract

**zamzummim** · 5 February 2007, 19:13

look for contracts on Jobserve.com, your experience sounds good, highlight your financial experience (perhpas add a summary of projects you did for banks), the rates are usually included within the advert, don't undersell yourself £200 is far too low. If the rate is not in the advert just ask the agency of the rate range offered - I suspect the minimum you should ask for should be £300 (that is if you just starting out)

**Cowboy Bob** · 5 February 2007, 19:29

Originally posted by Fuzzb3k

Edit: Just thought I'd add that I don't think my paper qualifications are worth that much now, they just help to get your foot in the door initially. From here on in I expect to be judged on experience and ability.

Yep, that's about it. The thing about contracting is that no-one cares about qualifications. All you need to do is convince the client that you can complete X project in Y days/months. Experience is everything. Highlight as many buzzwords as you can to get past the agency, and have a bit of meat on the bone for the client. Then if they call you in to see them, go into full on selling mode.

Also, as zamzummim says, £200 is too low. Go for £300 - £350 at least, starting out quoting the higher figure and letting them negotiate you down if required - but don't be a push over (remember that half the time the agency is actually trying to increase their commission). £200 will tell them that either you're crap or that you have no confidence, and the agency will still charge you out to the client at the higher rate anyway, just that they'll take an enormous cut. Besides, would you hire a lawyer at £25 an hour? No, neither would I. Pitch to the client at professional rates so they see you as a professional.

**HankWangford** · 5 February 2007, 20:03

Originally posted by Cowboy Bob

Yep, that's about it. The thing about contracting is that no-one cares about qualifications. All you need to do is convince the client that you can complete X project in Y days/months. Experience is everything. Highlight as many buzzwords as you can to get past the agency, and have a bit of meat on the bone for the client. Then if they call you in to see them, go into full on selling mode.

Also, as zamzummim says, £200 is too low. Go for £300 - £350 at least, starting out quoting the higher figure and letting them negotiate you down if required - but don't be a push over (remember that half the time the agency is actually trying to increase their commission). £200 will tell them that either you're crap or that you have no confidence, and the agency will still charge you out to the client at the higher rate anyway, just that they'll take an enormous cut. Besides, would you hire a lawyer at £25 an hour? No, neither would I. Pitch to the client at professional rates so they see you as a professional.

agreed, my skillset pretty much the same and i charge out at £50 p/h.
Loads of work about in the asp 2.0 / sql 2005 market, if your as good as you say you'll have no probs finding a gig @ £300 a day.
best o british

**dotnetter** · 9 February 2007, 13:53

I'm 25 and have around 7 years experience in IT, have the same skillset, .net sql server etc. Dont have any degree but some MS certs, been contracting for nearly a year now and havnt had ant problems finding positions. Been uderselling myself a bit and charging around £225 moved to £250 a day and theres plently of stuff out there. Need to start being a bit choosy now and getting the £300 a day ones hopefully.

Dont worry about lack of work, with your skills theres an abundance out there!

**fargaman** · 9 February 2007, 17:17

I'm a c# developer too, just started contracting again this year....
loads of jobs in london right now for that skillset - after two weeks of looking I had four offers!!
rates vary according to industry sector - if you're in finance, expect to earn 450-500 a day otherwise look for around 350 min...
good luck.

**Diestl** · 11 February 2007, 08:29

Originally posted by dotnetter

I'm 25 and have around 7 years experience in IT, have the same skillset, .net sql server etc. Dont have any degree but some MS certs, been contracting for nearly a year now and havnt had ant problems finding positions. Been uderselling myself a bit and charging around £225 moved to £250 a day and theres plently of stuff out there. Need to start being a bit choosy now and getting the £300 a day ones hopefully.

Dont worry about lack of work, with your skills theres an abundance out there!

I find programmers with no degree are crap and don't understand computer science, they program like some Indian who read "Learn C# in 24 hours".

**dotnetter** · 11 February 2007, 13:47

Originally posted by Diestl

I find programmers with no degree are crap and don't understand computer science, they program like some Indian who read "Learn C# in 24 hours".

LOL!

Ok mate, sense a bit of jealousy or resentment in that sweeping statement.

But hey ho, I'm pretty secure in my programming (real world programming) knowledge, and experience hope you can say the same for yourself

.

**BobShawadiwadi** · 11 February 2007, 14:05

Originally posted by Diestl

I find programmers with no degree are crap and don't understand computer science, they program like some Indian who read "Learn C# in 24 hours".

I do read book in 21 hours and 25 minutes on 1 day. Only 2 bathroom visits. So me very good C# Software Engineer. I do Java book much more quickly.

**Diestl** · 11 February 2007, 16:55

Originally posted by dotnetter

LOL!

Ok mate, sense a bit of jealousy or resentment in that sweeping statement.

But hey ho, I'm pretty secure in my programming (real world programming) knowledge, and experience hope you can say the same for yourself

.

No SOH.

Permie looking to contract