You're only as good as your last contract?

[Barley]

Just wondering about your respective opinions re the impact that the names of previous clients have when applying for contracts.

Ive tended to work for the big banks on large programme's, Lloyds, RBS, Santander etc.

My last contract was with a small building society, ive got a contract offer with another small financial services company now, neither are household names and the latest offer is a really small company I suspect 99% of people wont have heard of.

My hesitation is that a future client instead of seeing my previous roles as X at RBS, Lloyds etc will see my latest two roles at fairly non descript organisations.

How important do you think the previous client names are with agents & clients? I know when im receiving CV's from candidates, those with the more well known clients (or certainly clients I know and have worked with) are more inclined to make my shortlist.

I guess im concerned that to many non descript roles could water down what has been a pretty strong client list.

[malvolio]

Your client list only impresses agencies. Hiring managers are looking at what you've achieved or delivered, who you did it for is of less importance. And some small and largely invisible finance houses have higher net worth than many banks...

[TestMangler]

A TA that was in one of my test teams last year got asked at an interview for a small building society if spending a year at Lloyds had effected his ability to deliver anything on time

[TykeMerc]

A TA that was in one of my test teams last year got asked at an interview for a small building society if spending a year at Lloyds had effected his ability to deliver anything on time

That could be read in either direction of course.

It's true that some client managers may look down on client lists that aren't 100% blue chip, FTSE 100, but in reality there's nothing you can do about it. Odds are there are some who would look at a spell at RBS, Barclays or Lloyds as a negative, so in reality there's really absolutely nothing you can do about it

In truth you can either get pointlessly wrapped around the axle of name equity, possibly including bench time or dull projects or just say sod it and go for any contract you fancy, there's no 100% win strategy.

[colinrobinson]

Just wondering about your respective opinions re the impact that the names of previous clients have when applying for contracts.

Ive tended to work for the big banks on large programme's, Lloyds, RBS, Santander etc.

My last contract was with a small building society, ive got a contract offer with another small financial services company now, neither are household names and the latest offer is a really small company I suspect 99% of people wont have heard of.

My hesitation is that a future client instead of seeing my previous roles as X at RBS, Lloyds etc will see my latest two roles at fairly non descript organisations.

How important do you think the previous client names are with agents & clients? I know when im receiving CV's from candidates, those with the more well known clients (or certainly clients I know and have worked with) are more inclined to make my shortlist.

I guess im concerned that to many non descript roles could water down what has been a pretty strong client list.

I work across clients and industry sectors with clients large and Small. the question always comes up at interview along the lines how well you will integrate with a larger/smaller team.

I guess the interview pivots on my response to this single question as technical experience is rarely an issue.

[cojak]

What I've done and what I've achieved - the whole point of my CV.

Who I've done it for - irrelevant apart from industry experience.

[jmo21]

I used to work permie for arguably the most well known IT company in the world, and I think between speaking to agents and to end clients, people have mentioned it to me maybe twice in 7 years contracting.

I thought it was going to be a great plus on my CV, and yes, maybe it has got me interviews and even roles, but it's barely came up when talking to agents/clients.

[TwoWolves]

Depends on the individual, really.

Don't concern yourself.

Lots of people think ex Goldmans people are God's gift, I've found them a bit useless.

My wife worked there and has nothing good to say about them.

As long as you have plenty of "financial" you're good.

[SteelyDan]

What I've done and what I've achieved - the whole point of my CV. Totally agree.

Who I've done it for - irrelevant apart from industry experience.

Latter part might have some relevance to a client, but frankly it means diddly-squat to me...it's just another fee earning opportunity

[Barley]

Thanks for the responses, I think the upshot is that it wont really matter, positives and negatives.

At the smaller company interview I was asked about whether I was in overall control at other clients, having worked on large programmes I had to reply no, but I was in overall control at the preceding small client.

I guess its better to have a mix, also as someone said its about what you've done as much as which clients you've worked at.

Yeah im all financial (20 years, 7 years contractor) only consider the sector, 'better the devil you know'

Cheers