Advice needed on breaking into Contracting (in Finance)

[MrMarkyMark]

Correct, but if a candidate's on his books, he'll want to know how to get them better prepared in future. Maybe they hold back the useful feedback until they get another interview through the same agent.

Yes, but if he passes on my BS feedback, you are no the wiser.

[AnotherGuy]

Good luck joy division.

I was fortunate enough to leave my good paid permie job, go for long holidays and when back, get a contract in less than 2 weeks. I was newbie, and I got it, with a rate £50/day higher than what I had quoted. Not in Finance tho.

So I would say, if I can do it, probably anybody can do it.

Please note however the market seems pretty awful now. That first contract ended and I'm now trying to get a new one with no luck.

Somewhere I read the most difficult contract is not the first one, but the second one...

[joy division]

Yes, but if he passes on my BS feedback, you are no the wiser.

Without being honest in your feedback to the recruitment agents Mark, you risk the possibility that they will send over more s*** candidates because you have not made clear what level of experience / seniority you're expecting to interview. There seems no benefit in not giving honest feedback.

Perhaps recruitment agents themselves tone down the feedback they receive from the hiring managers, but I honestly do not believe they would still work with a candidate they've received negative feedback on. It just jeopardises their relationship with their clients.

[LondonManc]

Yes, but if he passes on my BS feedback, you are no the wiser.

True. I guess we'll never know with a middle party.

[MrMarkyMark]

Without being honest in your feedback to the recruitment agents Mark, you risk the possibility that they will send over more s*** candidates because you have not made clear what level of experience / seniority you're expecting to interview. There seems no benefit in not giving honest feedback.

Maybe, if you take that in its most straightforward form.
Let me put it another way, getting CVs in, for me, is just a box checking exercise, in some cases .
If I always gave, straight talking, honest, feedback, about some candidates, I would then shortly be escorted out of the building.

but I honestly do not believe they would still work with a candidate they've received negative feedback on. It just jeopardises their relationship with their clients.

Depends on the nature of the feedback, No? Remember you are just a commodity to the agent, if he can make coin out of you he will.

[NickNick]

OP - have you considered FS outside of London? I'm getting a lot of calls about roles on the 450-500 range in the south west at the moment.

[LondonManc]

OP - have you considered FS outside of London? I'm getting a lot of calls about roles on the 450-500 range in the south west at the moment.

Probably TSB at Bristol.

[joy division]

OP - have you considered FS outside of London? I'm getting a lot of calls about roles on the 450-500 range in the south west at the moment.

I have, but TBH, not that seriously until now. Are you referring to Bournemouth?

Probably TSB at Bristol.

Have registered interest in positions in Manchester and Edinburgh specifically. Manchester is a growing market, albeit only in BO activity. I hadn't considered Bristol but perhaps i should.

[jbond007]

I have a background in software development and within the last few years moved solely into Business Analysis and Project Management, a move that made sense because I found that much of the more mainstream development work (such as what I was doing) was being outsourced.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed my job, I voluntarily left my position (which was in a Bank) at the end of Feb this year. My decision to leave was based on two reasons:
1 - I wanted to have some time to study for a finance exam, which I wrote in mid-June
2 - my company would not budge at all on giving me a renumeration increase or promotion despite the fact that my role and responsibilities evolved and increased tremendously over the 3.5 years I was at the bank.

Following my exam, I took some holiday time off, thereafter hitting the Contracting job-sites (mainly Jobserve) in order to break into Contracting within Finance. I have now been searching since the end of July. Although I have been for a few interviews, I've not yet successfully landed anything. I am now starting to get very worried about my situation. Although I can account for some of time time spent out of work, I feel it is becoming tougher to convince people I am still on top of my game.

I am in touch with agents all the time and apply for roles as they are advertised (only applying for positions I do have experience in though!). I also try to chase up with the agents too. I have used tools such as LinkedIn to research firms I'd like to work for and email their 'Talent Acquisition' personnel directly. I have tried using my network to respectfully ask if anyone knows of anything. I have reworked my CV about 100 times so that it is now not too long and well reflects my solid working credentials. My rate is not outrageous - recruitment agents seem to largely agree with the rates I have specified.

So what am I doing wrong? What more can I be doing to break into Contracting? The contracting circles seem to have been close to dead for most of the year. Do you think there will be any sign of a pickup? What else can I do to land a frigging Contract???

Any advice welcome!! BTW I am based in London.

Why do you want to be in FS only ? If you have previous experience in media and telco, why not go back there ? There always seems to be requirements for BA in media & telco industry. I've been in this industry for the last 15 years and it has been fairly good (mix of permie & contractor).

Also, search for specialist media & telco consultancy (not accenture) - another route to contracts is to go via such consultancies, they are usually run by ex-employees for these firms and have good contacts and keep getting transformation programmes

[LondonManc]

I have, but TBH, not that seriously until now. Are you referring to Bournemouth?



Have registered interest in positions in Manchester and Edinburgh specifically. Manchester is a growing market, albeit only in BO activity. I hadn't considered Bristol but perhaps i should.

BO or BA?