When to move into contracting?

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The beginning of the end of contracting started many years ago, but perhaps for new wannabe contactors £250/day is sufficient for them to sell their dreams for.

Maybe that's what they are worth? You can still earn £700+ per day if you keep on learning and keep adding new skills to your CV. Heck, even £1000+ per day is possible, even outside of the banking sector. But your skills have to be in high demand and short supply.

[Cirrus]

Just wondering at what point did you all move from regular employment to contracting?

I considered contracting when I heard of a young female who had only done a course on Focus (a popular 4GL) and then landed a well paid contract. I'd only acquired this skill the previous year and it was a just a sideline but I was considered a bit of an expert. So I floated my CV to agents but kept my powder dry until forecast mass redundancies occurred, took my brown envelope stuffed with cash and then walked right into a contract with Shell.

So my answer to your question is: when a client offers you a job.

[malvolio]

Maybe that's what they are worth? You can still earn £700+ per day if you keep on learning and keep adding new skills to your CV. Heck, even £1000+ per day is possible, even outside of the banking sector. But your skills have to be in high demand and short supply.

Very much this. In my case the high demand has fallen away: having spent 15 years teaching clients how to run their operations efficiently, the buggers have finally learned how to do it for themselves...

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Very much this. In my case the high demand has fallen away: having spent 15 years teaching clients how to run their operations efficiently, the buggers have finally learned how to do it for themselves...

Maybe the big ones have, but there is an infinite supply of second-stage funded startups that have no clue how to do it.

[malvolio]

Maybe the big ones have, but there is an infinite supply of second-stage funded startups that have no clue how to do it.

Yeah - but the problem is they don't know it and won't pay for it. BigCo does it mainly for regulatory and insurance-led reasons which have now mostly been satisfied, LittleCo doesn't have to.

[squarepeg]

Yeah - but the problem is they don't know it and won't pay for it. BigCo does it mainly for regulatory and insurance-led reasons which have now mostly been satisfied, LittleCo doesn't have to.

Any of the startups that play in the fintech, retail, or med-tech industries are aware of that need and will happily talk to you, because that's what their big clients expect them to do. Those building apps for hipsters won't talk to you. This is from my own personal observations, YMMV.

[malvolio]

Any of the startups that play in the fintech, retail, or med-tech industries are aware of that need and will happily talk to you, because that's what their big clients expect them to do. Those building apps for hipsters won't talk to you. This is from my own personal observations, YMMV.

Fair point. Perhaps I need to do some PR...

[Whorty]

Im a recent starter in the IT field and i hope to move into contracting as soon as ive gained enough experience to make it practical. Currently employed as jr network engineer, security cleared, with CCNA. Over the next 2 years i hope to gain more experience and more certifications to make myself more marketable.

Just wondering at what point did you all move from regular employment to contracting?

The best time to start is when you feel ready. There is lots of work out there, plenty contracts for people will the right skills but saying that, make sure you can afford to be on the bench just in case it takes you a little time to get that first contract. Come and join us on the darkside - it's fun

[northernladuk]

The best time to start is when you feel ready.

Not so sure I agree, particularly with the evidence on here. A student fresh out of university thinking the world owes them a living will think they are ready.

Research in to the market and a pragmatic view on whether you have the skills to make it in that market long term would be better. That and looking at your finances to make sure you are covered should the worst happen. Then maybe you have a view on whether you are ready.

[nomadd]

The consultancy companies will still be charging people out at big rates per day so there will always be some people who find a way to get a piece of that action

I've contracted for three of the big five consultancies in the last 10 years.

Feedback after the gig is done? "We always need people with your skills and experience on our projects, but we never seem to make any money from you.."

So it can be done. And correctly.