Newbie - Where do I start ?

[knightxxx]

Hi,

I have been working in IT for 7 years and am looking to do contracting, now that I have been made redundant. I understand that I need to set up a limited company or use a umbrella company (Something I have not decided on as yet, but swaying to going LTD)

My questions are:

1) I have read a lot of posts talking about agents, how do i find these agents? Do you mean the recruitment company?

2)Whats the best way to start in contracting, I am a complete novice.

3)Does every new contract mean another Interview? My concern here is the last interview I had was 7 years ago.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice

[Moose423956]

Welcome and good luck.

You have to decide what marketable skillset(s) you have, what location you want to work in, how long you intend to be a contractor for. All those sorts of obvious questions.

Do a search on the most popular jobsites for that skillset, which will give you some idea of the demand, and also what the going rates are. The advertisers are the scumbags, sorry I mean recruitment agents. Otherwise known as pimps.

Most of the main jobsites are covered on CUKs own search engine - Linky. Start there.

If you're going to be a longterm contractor, I'd go Ltd. If not, I'd go umbrella (yes, lots of people here will throw their arms up in horror at the mere suggestion of going through an umbrella, but I'd recommend starting off like that and maybe after 3 months reviewing the situation).

And yes, prepare for the possibility of lots of interviews, though you may only need 1 to get your first gig - I did. If your skills are good enough, it'll be a doddle. You'll get used to it after a while. In fact, you may end up enjoying them.

There's lots of advice here on CVs, accountants (if you go Ltd), blah blah blah, you'll need to sit down and do a bit of research I'm afraid.

But anyway, good luck.

PS: I should also point out that I'm currently a permie, but I'm still a contractor at heart. HTH.

PPS: I'd also like to know your preference for Kylie or Danii Minogue. See my poll here.

[BrowneIssue]

1) I have read a lot of posts talking about agents, how do i find these agents?

Under mouldy tree trunks, in the bottom of U-bends, blocking sewer pipes. Or Jobserve, Jobsite, Planet Recruit, etc. Checking the job sites will show up which agencies tend to advertise the roles you want.

Some advice: recruitment agencies are generally despised, and with good reason. There are a few good recruitment agents out there. I have come across three in 12 years, and two of them have left recruitment. You will never cease to be amazed and appalled by the stuff these lying, scumbags will do ... but if you want to find work ... you could always try to do without them.

Do you mean the recruitment company?

Effectively, yes.

2)Whats the best way to start in contracting, I am a complete novice.

On the PCG web site there is a Guide to Contracting.

http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?...ess&Itemid=425

Download it and read it. It will answer 724 questions you haven't even thought of yet.

3)Does every new contract mean another Interview? My concern here is the last interview I had was 7 years ago.

In 12 years contracting, I have once had a contract without a face-to-face interview, but two telephone interviews instead. That is very unusual.

Try to get some interviews locally for jobs that you could possibly do by pitching in with a very low rate. Use them as practice. If they offer you the job, turn them down. (Unethical? I don't care any more after the shifty stuff that's been done to me by agents and clients over the years.) Doing a few interviews knowing you will never take the job means you can try different techniques.

One last thought: for every piece of advice you get, someone else will contradict it!

[Gonzo]

Hi,

I have been working in IT for 7 years and am looking to do contracting, now that I have been made redundant. I understand that I need to set up a limited company or use a umbrella company (Something I have not decided on as yet, but swaying to going LTD)

My questions are:

1) I have read a lot of posts talking about agents, how do i find these agents? Do you mean the recruitment company?

2)Whats the best way to start in contracting, I am a complete novice.

3)Does every new contract mean another Interview? My concern here is the last interview I had was 7 years ago.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice

1. In our business, agents are not like agents for entertainers that proactively look for work for you, the clients with the roles go to the agents who then advertise them. You respond to the adverts and if you get the gig then the agent will pay you your money (provided they don't go bust, do a credit check on them and make sure you are happy for them to owe you as much money as they will).

2. This question is too vague, you will need to elaborate.

3. You will probably have to do a lot of interviews. Some are lucky, but most will have to do several interviews and be turned down several times before they get a gig. Thats just the way things are for contractors, you will need to develop a very thick skin to cope.

[knightxxx]

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice given, it seems that using an umbrella company for now is the best bet for me to start me off, any recommendations?

Knightxxx

[Moose423956]

One last thought: for every piece of advice you get, someone else will contradict it!

No they won't.

[Moose423956]

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice given, it seems that using an umbrella company for now is the best bet for me to start me off, any recommendations?

Knightxxx

I used one called Green Lantern 35. They were okay.

[TheFaQQer]

1) I have read a lot of posts talking about agents, how do i find these agents? Do you mean the recruitment company?

Have a look on the various jobs boards out there - look for the job rather than looking for an agency. Once you have a reputation / rapport with some agencies then some will look out for you and remember how good (or not!) you are. Some agencies are much better than others, so be prepared for that. Be prepared not to hear from agents when they have no good news for you - if it's good, they will hound you all the time; if it's not, they will drop you and forget who you are.

2)Whats the best way to start in contracting, I am a complete novice.

There are some good guides on this site, SJD and the PCG about how to start in contracting. Read them before you even consider doing it.

Failing that, this guy always welcomes newbies and never minds people asking silly questions that have been asked before.

3)Does every new contract mean another Interview? My concern here is the last interview I had was 7 years ago.

Yes - be prepared to interview. I mainly do phone interviews only, and only rarely do I actually see the client before starting work for them. It works for me, as I live in the middle of nowhere, so always argue that a phone interview is the first step since otherwise I'm wasting their time and mine. Some clients will insist on a face to face interview, though - this can be particularly difficult if you are still in permie employment.

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice given, it seems that using an umbrella company for now is the best bet for me to start me off, any recommendations?

Knightxxx

Why go umbrella? If you are going to do this for a very short term, then yes. Otherwise, you're better off going Ltd. If you're unsure about whether you want to be a contractor or not, then the answer is probably "no".

And welcome, by the way.

[malvolio]

Failing that, this guy always welcomes newbies and never minds people asking silly questions that have been asked before.

See you had to spoil it. There was I, keeping off the thread, since everyone was saying all the right things, and then....

So, knightxxx, go away and learn all there is to know before you come here asking your stupid newbie questions!!!

Everyone happy now?

[knightxxx]

Why go umbrella? If you are going to do this for a very short term, then yes. Otherwise, you're better off going Ltd. If you're unsure about whether you want to be a contractor or not, then the answer is probably "no".

And welcome, by the way.

I decided this, as thought it would give me a good idea to see if contracting is for me, and if it is after 3-6 mths I would look to go Ltd.

Thanks