First timer - general advice

[Eireabouttime]

Hi all,

Just a non-interesting general opening post here for me!

I'm looking to get my first contract (Project management space/Banking) over the coming month. Background is 5 years Consulting with Big 4 then 2+ years in-house project management with a large bank in the city (Not IB though) so quite varied experience but very comfortable in the corporate world of actions, risks and issues.

Slight complication is that I've finished my previous perm role as wanted to travel for a few months and also work on a little side project so there is a gap on my cv since March.

What's the market like at the moment and any general thoughts on my suitability for getting a contract? Haven't attacked it vigorously yet but suspect spamming out CV's to every agent isn't the way to go just yet.

Anyhow thanks for reading and let me know if my profile is suitable for contracting or should I or whistle my way back to performance reviews and career progression.

Also Day rate, as I haven't had one before not sure what to tell agency, aim high or just say ballpark 400 etc (or 5 or 6!)

Cheers,
J

[cojak]

Welcome Eiraboutime!

You'll find a lot of answers to your questions within the CUK website.

On the right you'll find CUK Navigation. >>>>>>>>>

Look down and you'll come to the First Timers section. Have a read through there.

Basic expenses questions answered here: Contractor Expenses - How to claim Travel and other expenses via Limited Company or Umbrella

Then pay particular attention to IR35.

If you go into the Accounting/Legal forum you'll discover the thread Basic advice when running your own contractor business.

Guide to Contracts also has some good articles.

Do you want advice on the state of the contract market for your specialism/location? Have a look at this website; it will answer most if not all of your questions: IT Jobs Watch, Tracking the IT Job Market


And finally - accountant recommendations - Ta-da!

Happy reading!

[SpontaneousOrder]

As a developer jobserve tends to give a reasonable indicator of rates. Don't know other's experiences.

Obviously (maybe) it'll be easier to get a more accurate indicator where there are more jobs. I'm looking at London and it feels about right (for developers).

[Bozwell]

As a permie a future employer might care about a gap in your CV as a contractor no-one cares.

Just upload a current CV to all the of major recruitment websites and the recruiters will likely come to you. Every time interest subsides just make a small change to your CV and you go back to the top of their list.

Do a search for the type of work you are looking for day rate and set yours somewhere in the middle. Don't be tempted to set it too low as I think you'll look desperate/crap and you'll probably get pushed down anyway, especially on your first one. It will soon become apparent if you have set it wrong when you start speaking with recruiters.

[jmo21]

As a permie a future employer might care about a gap in your CV as a contractor no-one cares.

Disagree, I'd say a lot of agents will use any kind of gap as a reason to drop your cv.

But for the OP, that's not to say you won't get anything. The gap, plus being a first timer, can count against you, but it's not impossible.

[northernladuk]

Disagree, I'd say a lot of agents will use any kind of gap as a reason to drop your cv.

But for the OP, that's not to say you won't get anything. The gap, plus being a first timer, can count against you, but it's not impossible.

Sadly I'd agree as well. It shouldn't be a problem but to some it is

[VillageContractor]

For my current/first contract I had a gap - agent didn't seem to care but they did want proof during checks. If you're good and have a decent CV then you'll be fine.