Taking the plunge

[jubbly]

Hi Y'All,

I've read the newbie pages but have a couple of follow-up questions.

I've been thinking seriously about leaving my cushie permanent job working for one of the big db vendors and going contracting as a dba since the turn of the year.
Having worked for another db vendor before joining my current employer I think I have an attractive cv and the foundations to do a dba job.
I set up a ltd in January and been enrolled in the vat flat rate scheme thingy, so I just need to pluck up the courage to take the next step, which is where I would appreciate your input.
I applied for a few roles this week just to test the waters and have been contacted by a some agents.
A couple of them have suggested my notice period (currently 4 weeks, may be able to half that by taking hols in lieu) will be an issue and suggested I resign as (in their opinion) I won't have problems finding work. I have to admit, I was thinking of doing this anyway, but I would like to know what everyone else thinks, as I certainly don't trust agents.

My second question is about agents; I have had a couple of them asking me for references, despite the fact that I have had no interviews yet, let alone offers. Apparently, this is because some employers only want to be forwarded details of people who the agency has already vetted and received good references for. Am I right to be suspicious or is this now 'standard practice'?

[lukemg]

Avoid passing references, say you will be happy to do so after the role is offered (any who don't accept this are fishing and taking the p!ss, cut them loose)
Don't resign, tell everyone you are available at 2 weeks notice, say you have an understanding because the dept is being outsourced/downsized anything that makes you seem very available, without this you are dead, agent won't put you through because permies test the water and then bottle it when they get offered 3 months and stay where they are.
WHEN you get offered the job and are happy it is genuine - you will find start dates become more flexible - you are in a stronger position. Approach current boss, explain you need to be out in 2 weeks. Most will let you go, no-one does anything for last 2 weeks anyway except unsettle other staff. If they kick-off (or make a counter offer), this confirms you are doing the right thing by leaving, walk, go sick, whatever it takes, there is nothing they can do.
The ONLY problem you have is getting a contract, everything else is details that can be sorted.

[SomeoneElse]

Jubbly, what DBMS do you work with can I ask?

[Old Greg]

Avoid passing references, say you will be happy to do so after the role is offered (any who don't accept this are fishing and taking the p!ss, cut them loose)
Don't resign, tell everyone you are available at 2 weeks notice, say you have an understanding because the dept is being outsourced/downsized anything that makes you seem very available, without this you are dead, agent won't put you through because permies test the water and then bottle it when they get offered 3 months and stay where they are.
WHEN you get offered the job and are happy it is genuine - you will find start dates become more flexible - you are in a stronger position. Approach current boss, explain you need to be out in 2 weeks. Most will let you go, no-one does anything for last 2 weeks anyway except unsettle other staff. If they kick-off (or make a counter offer), this confirms you are doing the right thing by leaving, walk, go sick, whatever it takes, there is nothing they can do.
The ONLY problem you have is getting a contract, everything else is details that can be sorted.

Broadly agree - do what you have to to get out of there (I did something similar), but I'd add two points:
Try as much as you can to stay on good terms with your current employer. You never know when you'll come across them or people who work there again. If you need to be out within 2 weeks, offer to leave contact details if they have any loose ends to tie up. They almost certainly won't contact you but it will be appreciated and show you're a professional (and may get you out within 2 weeks with their agreement).

If you have to go without their agreement, think carefully about phoning in sick for the last 2 weeks if you're going to receive sick pay. If you're working somewhere else at the same time, that's probably fraud, and they will not be happy if they find out (which they might). I'd claim a family emergency - that way, if you get caught out, at least you haven't taken money off them.

Good luck!

[jubbly]

Ta for the replies - I think getting out of there in two weeks won't be an issue as I have two weeks worth of hols accrued and I'm very confident I can use this as part of my notice period. I certainly won't be phoning in sick or anything as I don't want to burn any bridges.
Presumably this means employers waiting 2 weeks (or possibly) more is not unheard of? If not, I won't sweat it and will stay in my role until the right contract comes along.

Jubbly, what DBMS do you work with can I ask?

- MSSQL

[TheRightStuff]

Ta for the replies - I think getting out of there in two weeks won't be an issue as I have two weeks worth of hols accrued and I'm very confident I can use this as part of my notice period. I certainly won't be phoning in sick or anything as I don't want to burn any bridges.
Presumably this means employers waiting 2 weeks (or possibly) more is not unheard of? If not, I won't sweat it and will stay in my role until the right contract comes along.


- MSSQL

Worked with a contractor who went on holiday for 6 weeks a couple of weeks ago. The day before she left for her hols she went for a job and got it. They said they were prepared to wait the 6 weeks. Result.

[m47een]

I have recently moved into the world of contracting from a permi role and the client was happy to wait four weeks in my case.

[DaveB]

Notice periods are generally not an issue. It's the pimps who want you to start yesterday not the clients. By the time they have been through their own internal processes and signed off on the agency contracts you'll be at least 2 weeks down the line anyway, if not longer.

Don't give references until you have got the gig, and preferably not even then

A polite note along the lines of "I will be happy to provide the client with references subject to a firm offer of the role." usually see's them off.

[thunderlizard]

agents will always say "quit, we'll get you a job no problem", because they want to (a) put you in a new job, and (b) put someone else in your old job. You will never meet one who says "nah, stay where you are mate, you're doing fine".

The 2 weeks thing will probably be OK, but if you are up for a project against another guy, and the other guy is available straight away, they won't wait for you.

Make sure you've got cash in the pot to tide you over for a few weeks. Your first contract might get canned 2 weeks in, and it might take another 4 weeks to get another after that.

[ruth11]

For what it's worth, I handed my notice in to my permie job because I was finding the same thing.

I offered my 4 weeks notice and because they're struggling for staff at the moment and I hadn't got a contract yet, I also offered to continue working there after the 4 weeks is up essentially on a rolling week notice. They jumped at the chance and agreed to do this until either a) I get my first contract or b) they replace me and can no longer justify paying 2 salaries (they asked if I'd hand over), whichever comes sooner.
As it happens, I'm 3 weeks into my notice period and I have my first contract offer . Not accepted it yet but I almost certainly will and that means that I will end up leaving on my normal leaving date anyway!
But my current boss is happy and will give a great reference, and I'm happy.

If you're in a similar "important" position at your current job, 2 weeks is very short notice and whether it's within the rules or not, your current boss might feel a bit hard done by. If you're in no rush to go contracting (and it doesn't sound like you are!) I would try this approach first?