Info for a newbie in contracting

[o0nix]

Closed Topic

[SpontaneousOrder]

Hi All,

I'm 27 years old with around 5 years of C# .NET experience. I left my last role as a perm to go contracting in London. I've worked in a big company in London, most of my colleagues were contractors (90%) and I realised that I'm better than most of them and would be a shame to not go contracting.

Now, I've been looking for jobs for about a week, applied to many job ads, but no one calls me... or most of the calls that I'm getting are scams try to get info about my previous boss or other interviews that I have lined up.

I can write code in any programming language with ease, but specialised on C# .NET, ASP.NET MVC/WebAPI, JavaScript and SQL - I also do TDD and BDD and worked Agile (Scrum).

1. What are my chances of getting a contract ? Are my skills sufficient to enter the market?
2. How long should I expect to wait till I get a contract ?

Any tips on how I can enter the market?

If you can code reasonably in *any* programming language with ease then you will probably get a phone call Monday morning with an offer to be president of the world.

Don't forget about us little people while you're out playing golf and dreaming new economic inefficiencies to impose on us!

[TheLordDave]

[emoji643] topics down. Exactly they same question with a lot of responses.

[TykeMerc]

If you can code reasonably in *any* programming language with ease then you will probably get a phone call Monday morning with an offer to be president of the world.

Don't forget about us little people while you're out playing golf and dreaming new economic inefficiencies to impose on us!

Indeed, if he was to lose some of the blinding arrogance and obnoxious behaviour then he would probably be a less charming soul.

[greenlake]

....most of my colleagues were contractors (90%) and I realised that I'm better than most of them....

Now, I've been looking for jobs for about a week, applied to many job ads, but no one calls me....

Perhaps you've figured this one out for yourself, but being a successful contractor requires more than just technical skills.

[o0nix]

[emoji643] topics down. Exactly they same question with a lot of responses.

With same type of BS responses. No one can give ONE helpful advice. Just arrogant comments.

[o0nix]

Perhaps you've figured this one out for yourself, but being a successful contractor requires more than just technical skills.

What skills you need to be a successful contractor?

Or if you really want to be helpful. Give me some tips on how to enter the market.

[o0nix]

Indeed, if he was to lose some of the blinding arrogance and obnoxious behaviour then he would probably be a less charming soul.

I'm arrogant because I can write code in more then one programming language. And you're arrogant for writing such off topic comments to waste my time reading them.

[Avalonia]

I didn't get my first contract until I was 30, you need more experience

[TheFaQQer]

What skills you need to be a successful contractor?

A good grasp of English is a must. Poor grammar indicates a lack of attention to detail to many people. Depending on the role, good interpersonal skills. A well-written CV that indicates what you have done and can deliver to the client immediately. An indication that you have delivered repeatedly for a range of clients helps. Depending on the role, the ability to dazzle with bull rather than being able to baffle them with genuine brilliance. Detailed analytical thinking.

It depends on what the client is expecting and what you are offering - the range of skills is wide.

Or if you really want to be helpful. Give me some tips on how to enter the market.

Find a client that needs you, find the right rate that your skills demand, market yourself correctly, interview well and be better / cheaper than everyone else going for the same role as you.