Advice needed on breaking into Contracting (in Finance)

[LondonManc]

remember that by asking on here you're essentially asking your competition how best to compete with them, you're unlikely to get a list of exactly what to do to make sure you get a contract that they go for too and people here regularly try to discourage newbies from moving into contracting

however, stats do speak for themselves, I think 11 interviews and 0 offers says a lot

Given he's declared BA/PM tendancies, I don't think NLUK and MrMarkyMark are competitors

[MrMarkyMark]

remember that by asking on here you're essentially asking your competition how best to compete with them, you're unlikely to get a list of exactly what to do to make sure you get a contract that they go for too and people here regularly try to discourage newbies from moving into contracting

Phhhht...really?
Maybe others worry about competition, I can assure you I certainly don't, or need to.
My answers, on here, stand.

Now, wheres my sticker you promised me

[joy division]

however, stats do speak for themselves, I think 11 interviews and 0 offers says a lot

Yes it does. No denying that. I cannot defend that without sound 'like I am full of myself'. I should have a least landed one of them. All I can say is, believe me, for the majority of roles, the feedback was NOT about having too little experience... One interview as a case in point: Went for an EMIR TR role (which I have ALOT of experience in). Interview went ACE. Very positive feeling. Only to be told by recruiter a few days later that the hiring manager had not had sign-off on the role from HR so should never have been interviewing! Very frustrating.

[MrMarkyMark]

Only to be told by interview a few days later that the hiring manager had not had sign-off on the role from HR so should never have been interviewing! Very frustrating.

All part of the contracting "show", I'm afraid.

Don't necessarily believe all the feedback you recieve.
Rightfully, or wrongfully,I have told total BS as feedback to people, I have interviewed, in the past, especially if you feel the real truth would hurt.

[joy division]

All part of the contracting "show", I'm afraid.

Don't necessarily believe all the feedback you recieve.
Rightfully, or wrongfully,I have told total BS as feedback to people, I have interviewed, in the past, especially if you feel the real truth would hurt.

You may be right Mark. Could be that perhaps they didn't think I had enough experience. However why not just say that? Surely it would be in the recruitment agent's interests to do that? I am still working with said recruitment agent and if he didn't think I was good enough he would not be putting me forward for other roles, surely. The fact remains though, that the contracting thing is not happening for whatever reason for now. I have received a few good pieces of advice here. And I will get into contracting - sooner or later - perhaps now is just not the right time.

[Draco]

All part of the contracting "show", I'm afraid.

Don't necessarily believe all the feedback you recieve.
Rightfully, or wrongfully,I have told total BS as feedback to people, I have interviewed, in the past, especially if you feel the real truth would hurt.

You may be right Mark. Could be that perhaps they didn't think I had enough experience. However why not just say that? Surely it would be in the recruitment agent's interests to do that? I am still working with said recruitment agent and if he didn't think I was good enough he would not be putting me forward for other roles, surely. The fact remains though, that the contracting thing is not happening for whatever reason for now. I have received a few good pieces of advice here. And I will get into contracting - sooner or later - perhaps now is just not the right time.

We all learn the hard way about the "what's your opinion? you can be honest" trick.

[jamesbrown]

jamesbrown interested to know why you think the benefits of contracting will be reigned in? Yes, the FS market is shrinking, but certain areas within that market are not (i.e.: regulations). There will surely always be a need for shorter term, less risky (but better paid), staff. No?

Knock yourself out. If you're committed to doing it, this may not change your mind, but you haven't entered contracting at the best time TBH; there's so much potential crap coming forward in April 2016 and then again in April 2017 that, unless you're in it for much more than the money, it's probably best to sit back in the comfort of a permie job and wait to see what happens.

[MrMarkyMark]

However why not just say that? Surely it would be in the recruitment agent's interests to do that? I am still working with said recruitment agent and if he didn't think I was good enough he would not be putting me forward for other roles, surely.

The agency will either pass on my BS, or make his own up.
The agent is just interested in making a sale and his commision. You are a commodity he uses to make money, one other thing to get used to.

[joy division]

Knock yourself out. If you're committed to doing it, this may not change your mind, but you haven't entered contracting at the best time TBH; there's so much potential crap coming forward in April 2016 and then again in April 2017 that, unless you're in it for much more than the money, it's probably best to sit back in the comfort of a permie job and wait to see what happens.

Very helpful thank you! I was aware of a number of changes, the dividends change being one.

[LondonManc]

The agency will either pass on my BS, or make his own up.
The agent is just interested in making a sale and his commision. You are a commodity he uses to make money, one other thing to get used to.

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.