.net contracting market

**Gumbo Robot** · 25 May 2015, 07:08

Originally posted by diseasex View Post

Hi guys, I decided to move into contracting and handing my notice shortly. Looking for some further opinions on .net contracting, however i decision has been made.
- How is the market? Is it hard to break into it? Is 8years full-stack with JS enough to start?
- warchest for 6 months (2 years if i decided to go into debt) should be enough?
- any tips on a tactic on an interview? How do i present myself? As a person that already have done what they want or as a very flexible person that will fit their team straight away?

Any other tips welcome ,
Thanks and wish me good luck!

I would really think twice before you jump ship.

The .Net market is very quiet. I don't know if this is a temporary thing but I suspect not. It probably has a lot to the trend towards using overseas consultants through outfits like Infosys etc.

Rates are pretty poor at the moment too.

I'd suggest staying perm and getting some kind of niche skill before entering the fray. I've been doing this for 15 years and I'm struggling at the moment, to be honest.

**Unix** · 25 May 2015, 08:07

I wouldn't want to start .NET contracting now, try Javascript/Web much higher rates and less bobs.

**eek** · 25 May 2015, 08:29

Originally posted by Unix View Post

I wouldn't want to start .NET contracting now, try Javascript/Web much higher rates and less bobs.

+1. I moved towards Dynamics CRM as it requires a far broader skill set (c#, javascript, a lot of common sense and knowledge of how it works as a whole). Yes we have a few bob's on site (unavoidable with the client) but none of them are anything other than lowest level developers...

**TheLordDave** · 25 May 2015, 09:03

Web .net is fairly busy in South Wales. Desktop .net pretty dead.

**diseasex** · 25 May 2015, 09:21

Originally posted by Gumbo Robot View Post

I would really think twice before you jump ship.

The .Net market is very quiet. I don't know if this is a temporary thing but I suspect not. It probably has a lot to the trend towards using overseas consultants through outfits like Infosys etc.

Rates are pretty poor at the moment too.

I'd suggest staying perm and getting some kind of niche skill before entering the fray. I've been doing this for 15 years and I'm struggling at the moment, to be honest.

I highly doubt its silent . There are offers, I get like 5 calls a day (ok, some from timewasters indeed), but i think i will be able to find something. Either way I will be unhappy for life if i wont try, so i will. Where are you looking? Are you stuck to one place? I'll be looking for my first gig nationwide, also plenty of offers on linkedin and websites. I smell the market and nothing will stop me to try.

Originally posted by Unix View Post

I wouldn't want to start .NET contracting now, try Javascript/Web much higher rates and less bobs.

I'm planning to pick niche skills while unemployed, or study quickly for an interview if its something i can pick up easily and I have few years javascript, mostly extjs, knockout, and some angular.

Any successful .net contractors offering advice?

**Gumbo Robot** · 25 May 2015, 09:46

Originally posted by diseasex View Post

I highly doubt its silent . There are offers, I get like 5 calls a day (ok, some from timewasters indeed), but i think i will be able to find

I get like 10 calls a day and they're invariably different agents calling about the same role, permie roles or just blatant angling operations. There are no offers until you have the contract paperwork in hand so I think you're deluding yourself there.

Originally posted by diseasex View Post

Any successful .net contractors offering advice?

I shall take great pleasure in gloating over your predicament in 6 months' time when you come to this forum bleating about how your contract wasn't renewed because all the work was outsourced to Bangalore and asking for advice on claiming JSA.

**diseasex** · 25 May 2015, 09:54

Originally posted by Gumbo Robot View Post

I get like 10 calls a day and they're invariably different agents calling about the same role, permie roles or just blatant angling operations. There are no offers until you have the contract paperwork in hand so I think you're deluding yourself there.

I shall take great pleasure in gloating over your predicament in 6 months' time when you come to this forum bleating about how your contract wasn't renewed because all the work was outsourced to Bangalore and asking for advice on claiming JSA.

Yeah, Yeah,
I can get permanent position back within a week , or come back to my old employer and score neat salary back. I'm successful , and good at what i'm doing, have 5 certifications and nicely looking CV. I have assets to live off for 2-3 years, and self-driven , dreaming and planning my own business for years now. I have ideas i want to implement during my time of unemployment and if things go wrong with contracting I want to expand my ebay business, further improve the services i sell online (apps), create some more websites etc.
So no , im not staying permie.
Any not "don't do this " or "there's no job" advice appreciated.

**SussexSeagull** · 25 May 2015, 10:43

Why do people come on here to ask a question and immediatly argue with any answer they don't want to hear?

**TheLordDave** · 25 May 2015, 10:44

Go for it, fill your boots. But like others have said there are many seasoned .net contractors who are benched at the moment you will have to compete with. Best of luck.

.net contracting market