Serious Question

[MarillionFan]

Shimano.

I spend a huge amount of time writing SQL Code, Data Warehousing scripts & Databases for all the reporting work I do. It just seems a natural progression into SQL Server Development or DBA(It's only a title). According to a couple of senior contractor DBA's I know they reckon I would be considered a middle weight DBA with the skills I have now. The beauty about keeping touch with different types of contractors are though, that If I do get stuck I can ring somebody.

I have always considered DBA work a little dull. But hell, the DBA is normally the last one to go.

[milanbenes]

MF,

let's be fair most IT work is dull but it pays the bills

Milan.

[Shimano105]

Complacent? Me? Guilty as charged.

Suppose I did lie and blag with good effect, how do you get around the references bit?

Euro vacation sounds nice but a bit too stressful for the family in reality.

[milanbenes]

>>>>>> how do you get around the references bit?


as a consultant with years of experience, I'll let you find the
answer to that one


have a think about the Euro holiday, you never know your Mrs
might be upforit for a while

a change is as good as a rest and being in euro land is like a holiday
it has all the ingredients...

different language - can't understand what people say
different architecture
different culture
different food

you may find you like parts of Belgium, Austria, Germany, France, Holland etc !

rent your UK property out while you are at it and sorteeed.

and best part, you get to keep your cv uptodate

Milan.

[MarillionFan]

"let's be fair most IT work is dull but it pays the bills "

Dull Milan. It bores me to tears. The last 18 months worth of contracts have been stuck in a room on my own, little interaction at small sites where nobody goes out for a drink or I have to drive in miles & miles. On the last contract, the team in the other room all went home before me on my last day, nobody said cheers or bye, including the PM.

[Shimano105]

Sounds like most of my gigs that MF! Never really bothered me too much though (kerching!) but I seem to have a problem staying awake in the afternoons.

Maybe I should mention that at interview?

As for dropping rates, well I could drop my rate to an embarrassingly low one and still be above most local salaries but I seriously question if the agent would drop the rate or just try to pocket the difference?

Might be an option by trying the direct approach though.

[MarillionFan]

My rate is normally around £325 per day. I try to clear £300 per day after expenses(min).

Six years ago I was on £450 so it's my fault for not-retraining. But everywhere I tend to go my skill set is pretty good.

[milanbenes]

MF,

you sound like that scientist on Independance Day !


Shim,

'As for dropping rates, well I could drop my rate to an embarrassingly low one and still be above most local salaries but I seriously question if the agent would drop the rate or just try to pocket the difference?',

sorry for the cliche, but let's try to see the bigger picture. You are how shall I put it, in a pickle, you have a bigger agenda, that is to get back into work and then to re-engineer your path and move to areas that offer the most stability, highest rates and best chance of longevity, in this instance, see the bigger picture, see your main agenda and who gives a sh!t what the agent is getting, get back in a contract and get back on the horse and on your way - how much have you lost be being our for two months compared to the extra the agent is taking if you offer a discount ? think long term not only short term and the financially side of the next contract

Milan.

[Shimano105]

Indeed Milan, I am not too proud and have done so in the past. Not being a flash 'arry newbie yoof contractor I have put myself in a position where I can live on a modest income when necessary i.e. no debt.

My questioning of the agents' motives were simply that if I were dropping rates, it was to be an incentive for the client to hire me. The incentive wouldn't be there if the agent didn't pass the saving on.

[milanbenes]

let's think about it a different way, what if the market maker, (agent) is playing you off against another, the client is happy with you both, the other man wants more, the market maker will take you as he has more commission.

anyway who cares this is a tiny technicality and nothing to do with the main goal, take the hit, get back in, and then move forward.

Milan.