New for contracting.. pls help!

[javalad]

Hi All,

I am new to contracting and new to this forum... I read lot of posts here and decided this is the right place for help...

I have more than 4 yrs of exp in java j2ee in a Indian blue chip company including 19 months in London..

I left the company by oct 2007 end and decided to jump into contracting..
I applied for lot of suitable jobs available in job sites, i also got calls from some of the agents and they say that they r sending my cv to clients... but after that there was no update... this is the story for 2 months..

And after applying for a job, do we need to call the agent or should i wait for their call?

What is the best season for securing a Java contract?

Thanks in advance for ur help..

[weemster]

Relax - Oct 2008 - You've still got 10 months before you go contracting

[ratewhore]

What is the best season for securing a Java contract?

I didn't realise it was seasonal. A bit like santa clause jobs then?

[javalad]

Relax - Oct 2008 - You've still got 10 months before you go contracting

oh it is a typo .. it is oct 2007..

[Orangutan]

Let me get this striaght.
You left your permie job with no contract to go to an no strategy for getting one.

You're either brave or stupid !

[RandyW]

Let me get this striaght.
You left your permie job with no contract to go to an no strategy for getting one.

You're either brave or stupid !

straight

and

[ChimpMaster]

Stop picking on him guys - no doubt many people find themselves in this position. And having to resign your permie job before going contracting is not unusual now is it?

JavaMan - just keep plugging away. It is quiet at this time of the year, so things will hopefully pick up towards Jan/Feb (depending on how badly the economy fares eh). You don't exactly have skills that are hard to find so it is possible that you are in competition with a large number of similar consultants.

Perhaps try reducing your rate to make yourself more competitive so that both agencies and clients look at your CV seriously. As this is your first contract a lower rate is often implied anyway unless you have very specific targeted skills.

When you send in CVs, chase up the agencies as and when you feel comfortable - but don't hound them. If they don't get back to you it usually means No, but there's no harm in satisying your own curiosity.

Is there any negative message you're putting out there to agents/clients? For example, are you ready to start ASAP, with your Ltd Co/Umbrella all set up already? Will there be Visa issues for agencies/clients to have to deal with?

Think about how you compare to a local consultant - why should the agency look at you as opposed to the next man?

Alternatively try looking for a good permie job in a solid UK company, perhaps a bank. It'll be a good stepping stone for you.

You've taken a huge risk, but you really should have investigated demand for your skillset before resigning. Good luck.

[javalad]

Stop picking on him guys - no doubt many people find themselves in this position. And having to resign your permie job before going contracting is not unusual now is it?

JavaMan - just keep plugging away. It is quiet at this time of the year, so things will hopefully pick up towards Jan/Feb (depending on how badly the economy fares eh). You don't exactly have skills that are hard to find so it is possible that you are in competition with a large number of similar consultants.

Perhaps try reducing your rate to make yourself more competitive so that both agencies and clients look at your CV seriously. As this is your first contract a lower rate is often implied anyway unless you have very specific targeted skills.

When you send in CVs, chase up the agencies as and when you feel comfortable - but don't hound them. If they don't get back to you it usually means No, but there's no harm in satisying your own curiosity.

Is there any negative message you're putting out there to agents/clients? For example, are you ready to start ASAP, with your Ltd Co/Umbrella all set up already? Will there be Visa issues for agencies/clients to have to deal with?

Think about how you compare to a local consultant - why should the agency look at you as opposed to the next man?

Alternatively try looking for a good permie job in a solid UK company, perhaps a bank. It'll be a good stepping stone for you.

You've taken a huge risk, but you really should have investigated demand for your skillset before resigning. Good luck.

Thx Tazman, for ur valuable advice...
I have good experience with spring, hibernate struts EJB js etc., with some big clients.. i will try my best.. I hope to get one before end of jan 2008..

[weemster]

Javalad,

My advice would be not to punt your CV around willy nilly - select the jobs that suit you and apply (and follow up everyday until you get a response).

You get a feeling very quickly (with experience) which agents are good and these are the ones to build up a rapport with.

You have entered into a very tough competitive game although things have eased somewhat over the last few years.

But Well Done - At least you did it and the best of luck (in the contracting market you will need plenty of that too).

[javalad]

Javalad,

My advice would be not to punt your CV around willy nilly - select the jobs that suit you and apply (and follow up everyday until you get a response).

You get a feeling very quickly (with experience) which agents are good and these are the ones to build up a rapport with.

You have entered into a very tough competitive game although things have eased somewhat over the last few years.

But Well Done - At least you did it and the best of luck (in the contracting market you will need plenty of that too).

Thx Weemster... Yes now i have list of agents... I know it is a very risky one.. but i am prepared for the risk..