Thinking about contracting

[calibra]

Hi
I am just thinking out loud really, and was wondering what people’s thoughts are.

I’ve worked in IT for 23 years (permanent role) . I started off in a desktop supporting role and ended up become an IT architect designing and building solutions.

For about 5 years I’ve had a small “MSP” like company that I use to run part-time. It was always a dream of mine to move over to it and grow the business. In the end I decided to bite the bullet and give it ago. The business is going ok, however there are certain aspects that I don’t like. One of those areas is marketing, and going to business network meetings. These don’t come natural to me and I struggle. Most of the network meetings I go to, no one seems interested in business it’s more a social event and talking about what happened in last night’s East enders.

The other aspect is I can’t seem to get any days off, or people want me to work on machines in the evenings.

So, I am thinking about contracting… I can design, build and administrate technologies like AD, Exchange, Office 365, XenDesktop etc. I am not a developer who works with code.

Is there much of a market for these types of skills? I have seen some jobs down South, but they don’t appear to pay that much.

Thanks

[sal]

I'm a bit confused as to where your skills actually lie, you said you are IT Architect, yet

people want me to work on machines in the evenings.

The reason i'm asking is because in the contracting world you are usually sought for a specific highly developed skill set and i suspect you are doing a little bit of everything, which isn't a good start for contracting.

Also you might want to take a look at this thread: http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...te-market.html

Before making a decision to enter what is becoming an extremely competitive market

[Lance]

So, I am thinking about contracting… I can design, build and administrate technologies like AD, Exchange, Office 365, XenDesktop etc. I am not a developer who works with code.

Is there much of a market for these types of skills? I have seen some jobs down South, but they don’t appear to pay that much.

Market is quiet at the moment, but those skills are very much worth while having for contracting. Get a good CV, get it on the job boards and see who rings.
Exchange/messaging architect could get anywhere between 450 - 650 a day (the latter being hard to find).
Read a lot of the business forums on here. Not all is good advice but there's a general view on how to sell yourself. Although I reckon you can from your MSP business.

I have considered doing what you do to bide the time if I end up on the bench. You're putting me off now

[oliverson]

Hi
I am just thinking out loud really, and was wondering what people’s thoughts are.

I’ve worked in IT for 23 years (permanent role) . I started off in a desktop supporting role and ended up become an IT architect designing and building solutions.

For about 5 years I’ve had a small “MSP” like company that I use to run part-time. It was always a dream of mine to move over to it and grow the business. In the end I decided to bite the bullet and give it ago. The business is going ok, however there are certain aspects that I don’t like. One of those areas is marketing, and going to business network meetings. These don’t come natural to me and I struggle. Most of the network meetings I go to, no one seems interested in business it’s more a social event and talking about what happened in last night’s East enders.

The other aspect is I can’t seem to get any days off, or people want me to work on machines in the evenings.

So, I am thinking about contracting… I can design, build and administrate technologies like AD, Exchange, Office 365, XenDesktop etc. I am not a developer who works with code.

Is there much of a market for these types of skills? I have seen some jobs down South, but they don’t appear to pay that much.

Thanks

Personally I'd AVOID contracting at all costs. The industry is on its knees and it's only set to get worse. I did a similar thing to you at the outset, albeit for only around a year before I realised I couldn't make much money from it and contracting was a better option. But I made the switch 13 years ago when the contracting landscape was a VERY different shape. I'm now focused on getting out of contracting and back to a business where I call all the shots and have true autonomy and location independence.

If I were you I'd try growing my business by maybe partnering with somebody who is more business-minded and probably try get a student placement or something to help out with some of the more mundane technical roles.

I also think that after so long being your own boss, you'd find it hard having somebody else effectively call the shots.

[blackeye]

Personally I'd AVOID contracting at all costs. The industry is on its knees and it's only set to get worse. I did a similar thing to you at the outset, albeit for only around a year before I realised I couldn't make much money from it and contracting was a better option. But I made the switch 13 years ago when the contracting landscape was a VERY different shape. I'm now focused on getting out of contracting and back to a business where I call all the shots and have true autonomy and location independence.

If I were you I'd try growing my business by maybe partnering with somebody who is more business-minded and probably try get a student placement or something to help out with some of the more mundane technical roles.

I also think that after so long being your own boss, you'd find it hard having somebody else effectively call the shots.

Rubbish. This is you're own experience based on the skill set in your area of work.

'Contracting' involves working across many different domains. If you have the right skills, in the right domain and most importantly have a strong network of other contractors there is plenty of work. Banking and Insurance are strong.

[oliverson]

Rubbish. This is you're own experience based on the skill set in your area of work.

'Contracting' involves working across many different domains. If you have the right skills, in the right domain and most importantly have a strong network of other contractors there is plenty of work. Banking and Insurance are strong.

I'm all of those. 13 years and counting so please don't try lecture me on 'contracting'. With around 12 clients I have a very strong network. Insurance is stronger than banking. Plenty of work? Having a laugh unless you're very cheap. Check out the thread 'state of the market'. 750 applicants for a single role. Unfortunately I don't value your shallow opinion.

[blackeye]

I'm all of those. 13 years and counting so please don't try lecture me on 'contracting'. With around 12 clients I have a very strong network. Insurance is stronger than banking. Plenty of work? Having a laugh unless you're very cheap. Check out the thread 'state of the market'. 750 applicants for a single role. Unfortunately I don't value your shallow opinion.

That's unfortunate for you. If true, perhaps you need to look into your interview skills and telephone manners with the agents? If your network is so strong, how about getting in touch with them and meeting them all for drinks after work.

750 applicants means absolutely nothing. As a seasoned contractor, you should know this. Most roles don't even get advertised on the market. Those that do are usually because the agent is trying to gather CVs or the recruitment manager has already been through all the best candidates from the agents and is looking for a perfect fit.

[calibra]

Thanks for the replies.

Let me clear up something and try to explain...

I worked full time for 23 years and got to an IT Architect level. Started off as Desktop Support, Server Network Support, Manager and then IT Architect.
I left my full time job to work on small to medium sized companies supporting computers, Office 365, networks, etc
6 Months in, I have a number of customers. The work is mega easy, but people expect me to charge the same per hour as someone who has left school. This makes it cheap labour
People also want me to support user machines after ours so they keep working during the day. I am finding my evenings are busy and my family time is important to me.

I am wondering if I should stop and move over to contracting. I have the ability to quickly learn pretty much anything. I always have my head in a book picking up new skills. My home lab is pretty impressive.

I've worked with Microsoft products since NT 4 days.

Thanks for the replies, I really appricate it.

Obviously I have a limited company and insurance etc.

[northernladuk]

Well the IT support isn't going to look very good on your CV and the learning quick/home lab stuff isn't really much use to a client either.

You've got to put your CV together and then ask yourself what you look like a specialist in. Does it look like you've got more experience than the next guy who has probably doing exactly what the client wants in back to back gigs. Will the agent even put you forward? You are only as good as your last gig in their eyes.

TBH from what you've said above I'm thinking you are going to struggle.

[SussexSeagull]

That's unfortunate for you. If true, perhaps you need to look into your interview skills and telephone manners with the agents? If your network is so strong, how about getting in touch with them and meeting them all for drinks after work.

750 applicants means absolutely nothing. As a seasoned contractor, you should know this. Most roles don't even get advertised on the market. Those that do are usually because the agent is trying to gather CVs or the recruitment manager has already been through all the best candidates from the agents and is looking for a perfect fit.

The point is that a lot of people who have had a successful run in contracting for years are struggling for contracts at the moment (me included). Now you and/or the OP may have a skill set that is very much in demand, and if so good luck to you, but enough people are raising a red flag that should make someone stop and think.

You might have the best interview technique in the world or sell yourself well to agents but ultimately it is about supply and demand.