Agency Advice

[malvolio]

I was perfectly polite actually, if a little abrupt, but I will admit to misinterpreting your experience - based wholly on your original posting - not questioning your ability.

As for 'professional' and 'cost nothing' - well I have taken my time, which I usually charge for, to respond to your original question with some valid and informed advice from somone who is potentially one of your putative clients. Shame you don't want to listen to it...

Seriously, if you want to go freelance, your CV will have to emphasise what projects you have delivered by yourself, how well the objectives were met and how they were managed. That is what counts: qualifications in this world only serve to impress the agency drones and HR (neither of whom are important) not the hirers. Is that clear/polite/cheap enough?

[BlasterBates]

Actually Xenophon, you do strike me as a bit green round the ears for a PM role, I know that there are team-leaders around that age, but they tend to be the ones that make all the mistakes.

That isn´t to say you don´t have all the skills, but you´re going to have to be convincing, and it does to some extent depend on the sector.

My experience would be take on 35+ for this sort of role, simply because youngsters tend to get het up and huffy-puffy when they´re over-extended and don´t have the same self-confidence to say "we´re ******* up", when they´re ******* up.

[Bumboclot]

I wouldn't agree BB, PM's don't have to be over 35 old chap. I'm quite a bit younger but my experience tends to be the convincing factor.

Although Prince 2 may be not be the be all and end all for clients it certainly helps in getting your cv forwarded to the client from the agent.

[Xenophon]

Thanks for the advice Malvolio. I'm very much with you with what you say about a good CV.

[Alf W]

Prince 2 Practioner (my arse)

I'd listen to this advice as it's spot on. You need to understand that as a Permy you have to sell yourself to HR bods who are interested in all the soft stuff and certificates held. As a freelancer it's about "Done this and done that".

Think about it. If you were looking for someone to put you in a new bathroom would you go for the person with a fistfull of City & Guilds who 'exhibits drive and self-motivation' or someone who could produce a solid portfolio of impressive previous jobs. They may be as good as each other but it's all in the selling.

You'll get some good advice on here amongst the abuse. Stick with it.