How many years as a Permie before you took the leap into contracting?

[Whorty]

Graduated in '92 and permed for 15 years. Contracted for past 9 years.

In 1999, at the peak of Y2K I was contemplating contracting but I didn't have a war chest, and didn't have the b@lls. Biggest mistake I made - I should have jumped then ... although saying that, from 99 to 07 I completed my accountancy quals, got an MBA and built up my financial systems experience and this is now in demand so maybe not such a bad decision

[paulb567]

2.5 years permanent after uni as a developer. 11 years contracting so far.

[Pherlopolus]

3 years as a mainframe op then contracting, bumming around the UK doing Helpdesk/Support/Installations contracts for 10 years, landed a contract doing Presales analysis/architecture and turned permie for 11 years, then contracting again

[blackeye]

A key point that needs to be noted here, is that the contract market isn't what it was 10-15 years a go.

Now contractors are used by programmes in large multinational companies (mainly in London) to ensure they can maintain a budget and get bums on seats quickly. Hence why there are so many contractors in their 20s.

When the regional folk visit London or contract here for the first time, they get shocked there are young people in contract roles - especially the older lot.

Obviously being good and having something to offer will get you in, but the expectations are not the same anymore. You don't need to be **** hot and better than every perm.

I think interim workers is probably a better fit to describe our position in the future.

[northernladuk]

Good point but don't agree with the bottom line. There is still definitely a split between bums on seats permatractors and as you say and people bring ling long term specialist skills to roles. Some roles can be filled by people with next to no experience and some can't. There is still a differentiation out there.

[gables]

A key point that needs to be noted here, is that the contract market isn't what it was 10-15 years a go.

Now contractors are used by programmes in large multinational companies (mainly in London) to ensure they can maintain a budget and get bums on seats quickly. Hence why there are so many contractors in their 20s.

When the regional folk visit London or contract here for the first time, they get shocked there are young people in contract roles - especially the older lot.

Obviously being good and having something to offer will get you in, but the expectations are not the same anymore. You don't need to be **** hot and better than every perm.

I think interim workers is probably a better fit to describe our position in the future.

Interesting observation, especially about the expectations if true

[MrMarkyMark]

Interesting observation, especially about the expectations if true

I agree with some of blackeyes comments above and it aligns with my observations, especially in Finance.

However, where I do disagree is where you are bought in as a specialist, there the expectations are high, as you are supposed to lead / instruct / play a key part in the decision making process.
Usually, you will find you are the only one in that department with that knowledge although there will generally be others in different parts of the organisation.

As NLUK pointed out, there is still a distinction.

[LondonManc]

Interesting observation, especially about the expectations if true

It's true. I've seen many so-called contractors in London who wouldn't get a gig for years up north, where companies tend to be more careful with their cash because they have to be.

[gables]

I agree with some of blackeyes comments above and it aligns with my observations, especially in Finance.

However, where I do disagree is where you are bought in as a specialist, there the expectations are high, as you are supposed to lead / instruct / play a key part in the decision making process.
Usually, you will find you are the only one in that department with that knowledge although there will generally be others in different parts of the organisation.

And that is a good thing. In fact I have high expectations of any contractor; and we all should, no matter what the role\skill\level you have, aim to be at the top of our game.

[MrMarkyMark]

And that is a good thing. In fact I have high expectations of any contractor; and we all should, no matter what the role\skill\level you have, aim to be at the top of our game.

Ah yes, totally agree, however we are a little old school