Ahoy!

[Sam3773]

Hi all,

Very new to the whole contracting thing. Been reading the website and it looks great! Loads of information.

Just a quick question: I'm really excited by the idea of contracting. I used to work for a managed services consultancy and after a few months quickly started being put on infrastructure projects. I was involved in a number of refreshes for different clients, as well as maintaining a first line support role. From there I was poached by a local college to go operate their second line support desk. Since being there (just over 8 months), I'm now the lead project engineer and infrastructure manager.

So here's the question, I've only worked in IT for around 2 years. Before that I was in the Army and a few other jobs, but I've always been involved in IT from a personal point of view (helping small businesses on a consultancy basis etc), so will it be difficult for me to land my first contract given the commercial experience?

Also, I'm flexible around the UK, on that topic, do you find yourself staying in a hotel Monday to Friday and coming home at weekends to be with the family? I feel this will give me more flexibility on contracts.

Thanks for all the help!

Sam.

[sal]

The IT contracts tend to be 2 major types:

- Low end, low skill, low pay roles for 1st/2nd line support / Service desk / desktop support etc. - Usually the take home pay derived from the rates offered is very close to a perm salary for that position and the Client reason for using contractors is to be able get rid of the chaff much easier and/or need them for a limited time only

- High end, high/niche skill, high pay roles for 3rd/4th line support / Project / Cross technology etc. - Usually the take home pay derived from the rates offered is much higher than a perm salary for such position and the Client reason for using contractors is that it's extremely difficult to get highly skilled individuals to work for the low take home pay offered by the salary and/or need them for a limited time only.

My guess is you are tempted by the later type, unfortunately your limited experience will most likely limit you to the former type. The easiest way to check this is to just apply to a bunch of roles that you think match your skill set and see if you get any callbacks.

[northernladuk]

What Sal said and to add my tuppence worth the skills/timeline you mention don't seem to tie in with your job title. 8 months out of first line and you are a lead project engineer and infrastructure manager? Something isn't right there. If you go waving titles like that around and the skill doesn't back it up you won't get a look in anywhere.

You have to prove to a client you are the person for the job, best in your field and can delivery them the best service from day one. Getting lucky with titles doesn't count for anything. Re-asses your skills (and be a realist) and see what you have to offer a client. Look at jobserve and see what kind of gigs you can do with your eyes closed. Am talking CAN DO not think you can or could have a go out. This isn't permie land and you are not an asset, your skills and knowledge are.

There are going to be 100's of people (or there used to be) applying for these roles that are experienced contractors and have been delivering exactly what the clients want for many years so you are at a serious disadvantage. The travelling may help but if you are not even in the shooting match it won't matter.

Have a look around and do some research and see if it's viable for you at the moment.

[Sam3773]

Thanks for that, guys.

I've decided to crack on in permie land for a bit and get some experience under my belt. I'm giving up the faux title and going back to working at an MSP, which I loved! Hopefully stay there for a few years and specialise more.

Thanks again for your help!