Chasing first contract

[purple banana]

Hi all,

First time poster in here, looking to break into the contracting market after building a career as a data analyst. Currently got a permie role, it is secure, with people I like and only 20mins drive from home. But, I am getting a bit bored of the landscape and feeling somewhat undervalued on 36k, especially now I frequently see contractor jobs advertised I could do in my sleep for £350+ per day. Even affected by IR35 now or in the future, it would still be a huge pay rise.

Long story short, I got lucky (or so it seemed) and successfully telephone interviewed with ClientCo for one of my first applications. Only after being told the gig was mine (6 months, £400/day, commutable and remote working available) was I told the position hadn't even been signed off yet!

3 weeks later, (as well as few other no-go applications elsewhere), I am sick to death of chasing the AgentCo. She constantly ducks my calls and ignores my e-mails. On the rare occasion I have made contact (one of which where she returned a missed call from an unfamiliar number - sneaky!) - she tells me things are progressing positively and she'll call me back in x hours/tomorrow - and of course never does.

I have begrudgingly accepted it ain't gonna happen, but I really want to hear her say it! Not least to put an end to the last shreds of optimism I have been clinging on to, but I might also share a few choice words about my experience dealing with her and her company.

I knew agencies are blood sucking parasites, but is it normal to be totally left in the dark, in fact actively avoided when a "sure thing" collapses?

On the other hand, am I being too hasty and advertising/interviewing for a not-yet-signed-off position is normal practice, and 3+ weeks a reasonable time-frame?

Any advice or suggestions welcome!

[Antman]

If there is any chance that an agent can make money from you they will chase you to the ends of the earth. If they don't want to speak with you it's because the role has gone (pulled or given to some-one else).

It could be that the other person hasn't accepted yet in which case it's good to have a back-up if the chosen one backs out/doesn't turn up. In reality, the role has long gone and she can't make money by chatting to you so she is not returning your calls.

HTH

[malvolio]

The other thing you're missing is that £350 a day is about equivalent to what you're on now when it reaches your bank account if you're inside IR35. Outside IR35 is about £40k-ish, if you get close to working a full year, which you won't; you'll likely only manage around 200 billable days.

Plus you get no job security, no holidays, no sick days, no bank holidays (Christmas will cost you £700 in lost earnings before you even start), no rights and a lot of other things you don't know you get right now. And you're likely working a long way from home.

So perhaps not a good basis on which to justify the move. Senior people and those with in-demand niche skills make good money out of contracting, so perhaps focus on gaining seniority or a saleable specialisation before looking to go contract.


BTW I get tired of saying this, but contracting is a career choice (not that you will have a career any more), not a financial one.

[purple banana]

I appreciate the advice malvolio, but respectfully I was not asking whether or not I should contract, my question was about the behviour of the agency. Wishing to switch to contracting is not a decision I have taken lightly, nor failed to research.

I'd be interested in your workings behind how a 350/day would net similar as a 36k job inside IR35, or 40k outside?

[MrButton]

I'd be interested in your workings behind how a 350/day would net similar as a 36k job inside IR35, or 40k outside?

Me too.

But anyway back to the original question. This is what agents do. Move on and keep trying. Don’t take it personally.

[purple banana]

Don’t take it personally.

You're absolutely right, that is advice I give my wife every day when she comes home and moans about her co-workers, I should really heed my own catchphrase lol.

Cheers S&S

[LondonManc]

"And I know it's over. Still I cling. I don't know where else I can go. It's over, it's over, it's over. I know it's over. And it never really began. But in my heart it was so real." S. Morrissey



If it hasn't been signed off, it may never be signed off. There are a few contractors on here still waiting to start contracts that they successfully interviewed for years ago. It's 99% not going to happen - treat it as a bonus if it does.

[HugeWhale]

A rule of thumb is to multiply your hourly rate by a thousand. £50/hour = £50K per year.

£350 per day is the equivalent of a £50K salary. However a 50K salary is more like a 70K package {with all the permie benefits such as holiday pay, sick pay, maternity pay (this is often a huge benefit to those who get it and pro-rata significant to all), training paid for, pension etc}.

So £50K salary = £70K package = £350 x 200 billable days.

Many of us say: keep your discounted gym membership and adoption leave, I'd rather have the cash.

[mattfx]

Sucky start to your contracting adventure OP but try not to get disheartened - it's a funny time of year for recruitment.

Remember to avoid agents who ask for references in the first phone call - they're lead generating. Never hand over names until they tell you who the client is and preferably, you have the name of a contact there. Even then they can lie about that, but they could land in hot water if they get called out.

[fullyautomatix]

Welcome to the contracting world. What you describe is par for the course and nothing really to be alarmed about.

Keep applying and keep interviewing and do not say no to an interview until and unless you have a signed contract and an agreed start date.
If you do get an interview and clear it and are offered verbally, lots might happen in the background for it to never materialise. It is normal. End of the day the agent needs a percentage, and has to agree lots of financials with the client and the client has budgets to adhere to. Roles are pulled at the last minute if they find someone internal to do the task or if they find some off shore resource. So many factors.