Query About Getting Started In Contracting

**XperTest** · 25 June 2007, 21:37

Originally posted by matt.m

First Of All Hi! I'm a newbie to these forums....

secondly - I'm currently a tester and considering contracting.

can anyone suggest any hints or tips about the best way to get started in contracting.

To give you a brief overview -

* 3 yrs exp
* exposure to test director, winrunner
* currently working as a tester, also providing project support to clients including agreeing specs, mods and training docs.
* have performed training and go live support
* can use toad, sql server
* used to Pro4 and vb.net enviroments

I guess my experience is a hinderence, but would an ISEB qual make up for that?

any useful suggestions welcome

Matt

Why do you think your experience is a hindrance? ISQTB is a good idea for any professional tester if only because clients and agencies seem to use them as a minimum requirement nowadays. Not quite sure how you'd expect it to make up for any flaws in your experience however..?

As for hints and tips on how to get started, look no further than the first timer guides here: http://www.contractoruk.com/first_timers/index.html

What are your reasons for considering contracting?

**matt.m** · 26 June 2007, 06:52

thanks for the reply xpertest

why am I considering it? - thats a good question

First of all the financial reward i guess.... but also my current employer is a small business with very little prospects for the future at the moment.

why do I think my lack of experience is a hinderence? it has been mentioned by agencies and after a while I guess you do get a bit paranoid!

**XperTest** · 26 June 2007, 06:59

Well, I guess if you're applying to anything other than test analyst roles it could be a hindrance, but I assumed you didn't..

**matt.m** · 26 June 2007, 07:29

no i didnt - i'm looking to for testing roles only

**TheFaQQer** · 26 June 2007, 07:45

Originally posted by matt.m

why do I think my lack of experience is a hinderence? it has been mentioned by agencies and after a while I guess you do get a bit paranoid!

It may just depend on how you are presenting it in your Consultant Profile /CV. If you present it as one company for three years, then the perception may be that you don't have much experience.

If you present it as six six-month projects in that time, then it looks a lot better.

Query About Getting Started In Contracting