What a result!

[MrMarkyMark]

My experience in this particular case was that the agent actually didn’t even ask about my previous salary before we negotiated the rate and he put me forward for the role.

Which means he, most probably, completely creamed you

[Pogle]

<SNIP> If you want a welcome hug and a nice fuzzy feeling with no indication of the pitfalls then go to Mumsnet. <SNIP.

Are you kidding?!! Have you been on there lately they're a bloody vicious bunch and make CUK look like a load of flower arranging Quakers!

[northernladuk]

Are you kidding?!! Have you been on there lately they're a bloody vicious bunch and make CUK look like a load of flower arranging Quakers!

Shhhhhhhh!!!

[fullyautomatix]

Are you kidding?!! Have you been on there lately they're a bloody vicious bunch and make CUK look like a load of flower arranging Quakers!

[gables]

I hope you asked your accountant

[joy division]

Thank you to everyone who left positive remarks. Someone on here was saying there is no need to gloat. That was not the point of my post. I was merely showing that despite the negative response received on here, I landed an excellent contract role on my own merit. Someone else did not know what BAPM stood for. Are you kidding??? Just take a look on Jobserve and you will find dozens of BA/PM roles, although the position I landed was a pure Business Analyst role. Someone else spitefully stated that it took 3 months to land the position - yes, that was counting August - which was DEAD!

Someone else mentioned that if I cannot take criticism then I should avoid internet forums. Very good advice. Thank you. I'd like to suggest though that I created this account to learn from the experiences of others, was very open to constructive advice and have taken on board what some have said, it seems though that in the main it is just sad old men past their prime putting others down for the hell of it.

Anyway, I am very pleased with my decisions so far and I am determined to make a good strong go of this. HMRC are certainly shaking things up (new proposed checks re 'disguised employees', much talked about dividend changes etc) - things will be changing but I am doing my homework and am in the capable hands of a very proactive and efficient chartered accountant.

Finally, every so often someone has said something very useful, so for all that, thank you. For those calling me a bloke, I am a lady,

[Pogle]

For those calling me a bloke, I am a lady,

In that case, you really will need to grow a very very thick skin...

[joy division]

In that case, you really will need to grow a very very thick skin...

Do not assume I do not have one already.

[SussexSeagull]

Some on here overdo the school of hard knocks thing but contracting can be a challenging life (I call it a life choice rather than a career choice). You need to change your mindset to being a one man band with no support from HR, no cover by employment law and an HMRC who are increasingly after you.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it, but if it was that simple everyone would be doing it and remember the industry could be changed dramatically next week.

[northernladuk]

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it, but if it was that simple everyone would be doing it and remember the industry could be changed dramatically next week.

Sadly they are which is why we have next week.