New To The Game - Opinions Wanted

[DotNetDeveloper]

Hi Chaps,

Im a permie .NET Developer who works in London. I have 3 years experience in the following (from 2 companies, working on 4 different web apps) and I am 24 years old:

• C# / ASP.NET/ IIS
• SQL Server 2000 / 2005
• XML / XSLT / XPath / JavaScript

I am wanted to make the jump from Permenant to Contracting in the first quarter of 2008. My question is, with these skills and experience what kind of rate do you guys think I can get, and how swiftly am I likely to ascertain a contract with the current (well, new year) market (pretending it will be as was for the first 3 quarters of 2007)?

I've done plenty of research about rates (from itjobswatch.co.uk) & jobs, accountancy, ltd company formation, IR35 etc.... and am pretty clued up on all I need to know to get started.

However, I just wanted real advice from the people who have been there and done that. Looking at my generalised experience, what rate am I able to command, and how long to secure a contract?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Darren

[mailric]

jump!

my opinion, try and get out now before silly season starts in q1 next year when all the projects kick off. theres work out there now. other contractors might be tied in on contracts until the end of the year and be loking at q1 so competition might not be as high at the moment.

[Troll]

Hi Chaps,

Im a permie .NET Developer who works in London. I have 3 years experience in the following (from 2 companies, working on 4 different web apps) and I am 24 years old:

• C# / ASP.NET/ IIS
• SQL Server 2000 / 2005
• XML / XSLT / XPath / JavaScript

I am wanted to make the jump from Permenant to Contracting in the first quarter of 2008. My question is, with these skills and experience what kind of rate do you guys think I can get, and how swiftly am I likely to ascertain a contract with the current (well, new year) market (pretending it will be as was for the first 3 quarters of 2007)?

I've done plenty of research about rates (from itjobswatch.co.uk) & jobs, accountancy, ltd company formation, IR35 etc.... and am pretty clued up on all I need to know to get started.

However, I just wanted real advice from the people who have been there and done that. Looking at my generalised experience, what rate am I able to command, and how long to secure a contract?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Darren

The first step is the hardest... no one will hold your hand or catch you if you fail - it's all part & parcel of the job spec!

Rate is whatever you can get away with! - my first contract was carpe rate but still double my permie salary - use whatever rate you get to get into the market, talk to other contractors on site to gauge how much you undersold yourself and then pitch higher for your next contract..you are now a business exposed to demand and supply swings- get used to it!

Best thing - although not entirely cricket- is to get a contract lined up, make sure you have no holiday owing with your old employer, start the contract and then get your partner/wife to call your old company saying you've had a breakdown and won't be coming back.

Make sure you can afford to miss the months pay if your old company refuses to play ball...but words along the lines of - the breakdown was caused by your company policies of putting too much work onto him should do the trick!

Remember fortune favours the brave!

I should charge for this stuff!

HTH