Going from permanent to Linux contracting in London

[ujjain]

I'm working since March 2014 for a big American IT company in London, but it bothers me that I'm not learning much and don't see much challenge in my work anymore. Despite the good name on the CV, I feel this company is mainly good for people earlier in their professional career. This is why I am considering contracting.

My salary (£50k) as a Linux SysAdmin is a bit higher than the average in London, but I think I'd commence a lower-than-average salary (£450) starting contracting as I've seen a few Linux contractors that were above my level, whereas permies are generally a little less experienced.n.

I have about £14k in my bank account and my living expenses are around £1800 monthly, so I have been saving quite a lot. I'm considering to start contracting in Q1 2015. The notice period at my current job is 1 month, so that might be an easy. I'd probably also have to do my first contracts via agencies. The idea of doing contracting makes me very excited, I've been an entrepreneur for 8 years before. I do have doubts, because whereas I was most of the time better than most direct colleagues as a perm, many few IT contractors I've met were really good and experienced. And there's always the fact that it'd be something new for me.

Are there people that can relate and/or can give me input/advice?

[flipFlop]

.The idea of doing contracting makes me very excited

My life would have been much easier were I so easily pleased.

[stek]

I'm working since March 2014 for a big American IT company in London, but it bothers me that I'm not learning much and don't see much challenge in my work anymore. Despite the good name on the CV, I feel this company is mainly good for people earlier in their professional career. This is why I am considering contracting.

My salary (£50k) as a Linux SysAdmin is a bit higher than the average in London, but I think I'd commence a lower-than-average salary (£450) starting contracting as I've seen a few Linux contractors that were above my level, whereas permies are generally a little less experienced.n.

I have about £14k in my bank account and my living expenses are around £1800 monthly, so I have been saving quite a lot. I'm considering to start contracting in Q1 2015. The notice period at my current job is 1 month, so that might be an easy. I'd probably also have to do my first contracts via agencies. The idea of doing contracting makes me very excited, I've been an entrepreneur for 8 years before. I do have doubts, because whereas I was most of the time better than most direct colleagues as a perm, many few IT contractors I've met were really good and experienced. And there's always the fact that it'd be something new for me.

Are there people that can relate and/or can give me input/advice?

There a lot you've got wrong there....

1. £450 a day is tough call for a contracting noob, set your sights lower, rates are dropping like a stone.

2. 99% of your work will be via agencies

3. One month notice is too long in your position.

4. Probably need more Unix strings to your bow, some tradition Unix, AIX, Solaris etc along with their underlying firmware-based virtualisation technologies, VIO's, HMC, Control domains etc...

[ckms]

How can you expect to go from £50k in a perm role to £450 a day in your 1st contract? Seems a bit high to me

[stek]

How can you expect to go from £50k in a perm role to £450 a day in your 1st contract? Seems a bit high to me

Yes, recently had one that as well the easy Linux stuff, wanted all the AIX and PowerVM skills under the sun for £200/day, There are 450/day plus roles in London but not for the neophyte with just Linux.

[Scruff]

I sincerely hope that your grasp of the English language is worse than your Linux ability in bashing it out, than your original post? £450 would be at the top of your game I'm afraid, and if you have to produce documentation, then Bob Shawadiwadi is your friend...

[TheFaQQer]

How can you expect to go from £50k in a perm role to £450 a day in your 1st contract? Seems a bit high to me

I went from less than that as a permie to a similar sort of rate on my first contract. I don't know what the rates for the OPs skillset are, but the expectations don't seem that bad to me.

[ujjain]

I will be working Sundays starting next month, so I have Fridays for doing interviews. At least I'll be able to get a better feel. Anyway, going contracting is not all about the money for me.

Thanks for the replies. I guess that a contractor should mostly find his own way. Life as a permanent at my current and last job have just been a bit boring at times for me, the expectations are very low.

[worzelGummidge]

You should be looking at the DevOps stuff.

Will be slightly more quiet at the moment but very busy (i.e. VERY busy) in the 1st quarter next year from about Feb.

Go play my friend. You are in the best place to work.

[worzelGummidge]

You would be better off handing in your notice though and then looking for contracts when available in a couple of weeks.

Yes it's hard to do but that is the best way to do it.
If your notice period is one month then hand in your notice in Feb (after watching the market for a bit to see how things are going).

p.s. You could ask for a wage increase prior to handing in your notice if you want.

p.p.s It will not work out so well if you wish to apply for contracts while still having a notice period - unless going permy again. That could be the best option for you though.