Will I be marketable with these skills in London?

**malvolio** · 22 January 2017, 19:05

Contacting is not about what you know but what you have done. Can you build a CV showing what you have delivered and/or improved with your technical knowledge...

**Cirrus** · 22 January 2017, 19:18

Originally posted by Markf View Post

and plan to work my notice before starting to look for a contract.

I'd think twice about that. What's the point?

You tell the agent you're just finishing off something/handing over - will be done and dusted in 2-3 weeks. As things drag on and the agent says "Why haven't you left yet?", you say "I'm just helping them with a migration issue in York/Ashford/Clacton". Always tell them you're leaving shortly but don't actually resign until you have a signed contract. If push comes to shove you can walk out of your current workplace early.

**uk contractor** · 22 January 2017, 20:28

4 years is not anywhere near enough experience your competing against people with greater experience & relevant contractor experience. London IT market is severe for many contract roles & has been for a long time now your skillset is pretty generic the market in London is flooded with suitable candidates. Read this backward to get a general idea on market conditions.
http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...te-market.html

Also your likely to have to pass some form of background & security vetting process for financial services & now many other sectors in London are starting to do this on infrastructure roles. Can you pass that?

**Markf** · 22 January 2017, 21:29

@malvolio I have worked on some reasonably big projects, I always try to change my job when when I start to master the tech stack and things can't be improved any further (usually a business decision).

I have worked on some projects within my perm role. Would you suggest I push to do specific projects to then highlight on my CV?

@Cirrus The point would be that I want to remove any barrier to getting my first contract. My notice is 3 months, and although thats not a legal requirement I work, it would be nice to not burn bridges if I can help it. I also have very little financial obligations and can sit on the bench for 6 months if I need too before finding more work.

@uk contractor, do you have a hard number in your head for the amount of years of experience I'd need to have? I'm quite young, but have 6 years of IT experience (4 solid years of non help desk style entry level). Would your recommendation be to specialise further? How did you differentiate your self? My idea was to prove competency with a mix of examples of work from perm jobs, along with the reasonably high level certifications I mentioned.

As for background and security, I'm a British citizen with no criminal record. Would any other factor come into play?

**northernladuk** · 22 January 2017, 22:04

Question is. Where could you have gone in your career and what rates could you command if you don't just chase a bit of extra money now? It's very difficult to have a career in contracting. Do you want to be doing what you are now in 5-10 years?

IMO I'd say 4 years isn't enough as well. Some of that is your learning curve so it's not 4 solid years either.

**uk contractor** · 23 January 2017, 00:29

Originally posted by Markf View Post

@uk contractor, do you have a hard number in your head for the amount of years of experience I'd need to have? I'm quite young, but have 6 years of IT experience (4 solid years of non help desk style entry level). Would your recommendation be to specialise further? How did you differentiate your self? My idea was to prove competency with a mix of examples of work from perm jobs, along with the reasonably high level certifications I mentioned.

As for background and security, I'm a British citizen with no criminal record. Would any other factor come into play?

Closer to 10-15 years perm experience for sure to even consider it nowadays. End clients want ex-perms with extensive experience and 4 years is nowhere near enough I doubt many agents would even pass your cv onto the end client due to lack of experience. The market is full to the brim with lots of economically inactive contractors due to how many have been replaced by outsourcers or consultancies bringing cheaper labour in from EU & India mainly on dubious work visas. You need an almost impeccable credit record as well as being able to pass police & employer background checks. Any loan or credit card defaults, bankruptcy or other personal finance issues like mortgage defaults or even too high a level of credit can all go against you as a red flag even if they are not you but a family member in your household or partner\wife can go against you.

10-15 years ago you probably would have walked into contracting now your going to have to accept its a massive uncertain gamble. All you can realistically do is stay perm move sideways & skill up which is only going to happen in a perm role. To validate what others say on here try to apply for contract roles & see what kind of response you get before making any decisions on notice or relocating.

**SueEllen** · 23 January 2017, 06:46

In regards to background checks you need be able to prove where you have been for around the last 5 years as they do a credit check on you. If you have been outside the UK and/or not on the electoral roll for all that time then you will fail the credit check.

**Cirrus** · 23 January 2017, 07:43

Originally posted by uk contractor View Post

even too high a level of credit can all go against you as a red flag

What makes you say that

**eek** · 23 January 2017, 08:39

Originally posted by Cirrus View Post

What makes you say that

It's gibberish due to problems he's had in the past....

Will I be marketable with these skills in London?