Technical skill set for short term contracts 1 - 6 months max length

**dx4100** · 20 January 2023, 09:21

Make sure your linkedin is up to date and apply on job boards like jobserve and see what comes back... Contact companies you worked for in the past and see if they need help.

You could always take a longer gig with a notice period and use the notice period when the time is right.

**northernladuk** · 20 January 2023, 13:32

Originally posted by BrickBrack View Post

Hi all,

Due to family / other small business I am trying to get off the ground I could do with some sort term contracts, 1 month - 6 months max length. What technical areas are hot for this type of work? (Then I can bone up on them) Any good agency recommendations for this type of work?

I am no rock star coder, a mr average so not expecting top rates. I am no longer able to do the travel all the time like I used to (probably could for super short jobs) do and the contracts that are jumping up are all 1-2 year or perm for my skill set / experience. Previous experience in simulation (Fortran 95 + 2003 + C), backend C++, machine control with PLC, a little C# .NET and a little embedded.

Thanks for any pointers

This isn't really how contracting works to be honest. The client has a requirement and you fulfill that requirement. It's not a matter of working the timescales you want. It's going to be a very tough call to get this plan to work. Firstly you've got to find roles of that the length suitable to you. Most are on a minimum of three months. Any less than that they'll probably get a permie to do it. Even if it says three months it's highly likely it could get extended as the 3 months is usually linked to billing cycles and not the work needed. To find the reality you'll probably have to get to inverview stage and interrogate the client to see what's required.

So firstly you need to find a gig that's looking like 3 months so that discounts many of them and then you've got to get to interview stage. There are many very experienced contractors with long history of delivering to clients ahead of you who will see gigs out and will take 3 months and longer.

Your experience has very little to do with rate. You are thinking about it wrong. A client has a need to fulfil and they will get the best person at a rate they are happy to pay. They don't get less experienced people in for cheaper. The only option here might be public sector gigs on stupid inside rates but likely be travel and because their frameworks are complex they don't often get people in for very short pieces of work.

On that topic the client will want an experienced person that's delivered exactly what they want before. They are paying for your experience and skills. A bit of this and that and 'could do' certain stuff won't work. Far too many experienced people in the pool ahead of you.

You 'could' pick a gig up and give notice as someone has already suggested but I wouldn't condone that as we, who do this as a full time job, have to deal with the fall out of crappy contractors giving notice so pisses us off.

All in all if this is your plan B that you need to work then I think you really need a solid plan C because you are on a wish and a prayer getting anything, let alone end to end to support you.

**Lance** · 20 January 2023, 13:35

You could just get a contract and not be very good.... That would work..

In reality. No agent is going to put you forward for a role when he knows you're gonna walk in <6 months. Not when he can get a candidate who he thinks will do 2 years, or longer, and might even take a reduced rate for a longer term. It's not right, but it is the way it is.

**northernladuk** · 20 January 2023, 13:47

Originally posted by Lance View Post

You could just get a contract and not be very good.... That would work..

In reality. No agent is going to put you forward for a role when he knows you're gonna walk in <6 months. Not when he can get a candidate who he thinks will do 2 years, or longer, and might even take a reduced rate for a longer term. It's not right, but it is the way it is.

What's not right about that? Seems fair enough to me.

**Lance** · 20 January 2023, 14:16

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

What's not right about that? Seems fair enough to me.

client may well have a short term piece of work. But the agency will chance his arm for a cheaper contractor, who might actually stick around for more projects. That's the agent being lazy and not finding the best person for the lcient for the one job they are looking for.
What makes good business for an agent is not necessarily the best thing for the client.

**BrickBrack** · 20 January 2023, 22:34

Thanks all.

I don't really want to just quit short of time as I like to complete my jobs.

Yep aware of usual contract length, just coming to end of a 2 year one extended from 1 year. Have another lined up but thinking a year or so ahead where I need to in essence be part time (over the year not over a week) in some form hence wondering if I had missed some nice with a lot of short term gigs. Sounds like a big no.

**northernladuk** · 21 January 2023, 02:32

Originally posted by BrickBrack View Post

Thanks all.

I don't really want to just quit short of time as I like to complete my jobs.

Yep aware of usual contract length, just coming to end of a 2 year one extended from 1 year. Have another lined up but thinking a year or so ahead where I need to in essence be part time (over the year not over a week) in some form hence wondering if I had missed some nice with a lot of short term gigs. Sounds like a big no.

Not quite a no but really not sustainable as a plan to fall back on.

Technical skill set for short term contracts 1 - 6 months max length