Industry Lock-in

[Xenophon]

For the more experienced contractors here...

This is my first year contracting as a PM. Previous to this my permanent experience spanned a few industries, but now I'm in the contract world clients seem (quite understandably) to like contractors who have done something similar in the same or at least related industry.

I am happy for now as I'm at a large bank and PM contracts in this sector seem reasonably numerous currently.

I am, however, interested to hear from those who have been contracting for several years and have had experiences of their previous contracts preventing them from getting something in a different industry sector.

Before I decided to move to a contract position I understood that further down the line this may be an issue - just wondered if anyone had any experience of it?

[malvolio]

Go read the thread on Project management! If the hirer is a contractor, they will look at experience first and industry second. If it's a permie, that will be reversed. Just why someone who can build a derivatives system can't then build a production line process is beyond me, but that's the way of the world, it seems.

It also depends on what you do - I'm in Service Management generically, which can cross industries, and I've worked for HMG, Banks, Broadcasting and Transport in recent years. However, application people are much more likely to get pigeonholed.

The other example is the NHS - only NHS Experienced people need apply at the PM layer and above. Since that then limits them to the people who largely created the NHS IT nightmare they're trying to fix, it seems a self-sustaining jobs for the boys sort of thing. Not even I can get in, and I've been married to a senior NHS microbiologist for the last 30 years.

[voron]

York Mystery Play

Ah, Xenophon, you have told the story of my life.

There once was an eager young contractor, his cheeks flushed with health and his hair thick and flowing (picture Harry Potter, if you will). One day he accepted a contract in the public sector (central government). He didn't think anything of it, although he became a little concerned when the client informed him on the first day that they used MS Access as an enterprise database.
Weeks turned into months and the months rolled into years - but the scene remained the same; public sector clients.

I am trapped in a public sector nightmare, working for noddy clients where the standard scrapes the floor. With each week I grow fatter, lazier and more feckless. Soon I won't be capable of dressing myself, as the task will seem too complicated and demanding. Better to stay in bed, drooling like a fool and believing I'm a high calibre consultant. Dreaming is easy, my friend, and in my head I have done it all.

Private sector clients won't touch me with a barge pole. And if I'm truly honest, I can't blame them. So ends the sad tale of Voron - but think not too harshly of him, for he loved and cared, and offered a helping hand to all those he knew. Was it all it vain? Not if you learn from his tale and save yourself before you ever consider the public sector.

[Xenophon]

Thanks Mal - hoped you would reply!

Good to hear that you have contracted in a few sectors in Service Management. Agree that that can be easier to do in that field. On the PM side I just see so many adverts stipulating industry experience. Public sector seemingly the worse.

Not that the public sector interests me and your post Voron cements that decision for me! Man what a tale! Very sad, but also absolutely hilarious!!

[ratewhore]

Voron,

Aren't you always saying your rate is the lowest of the low? (I think it was you). Alright, HMG rates will never match investment banks but they ain't that bad...


...unless you're a support monkey of course!!

[voron]

Voron,

Aren't you always saying your rate is the lowest of the low? (I think it was you). Alright, HMG rates will never match investment banks but they ain't that bad...


...unless you're a support monkey of course!!

Ratewhore, my rate is indeed the lowest of the low. All part of my grand strategy to reap fine rewards and success further down the line. There's only one problem. Want to know what it is? I'M A FECKING IDIOT!

Public sector rates can be good. They can be very good.

I am not a support monkey. I am a Programme Manager. Which makes it even worse

[ratewhore]

playing a tactical game then...

[Underscore2]

where?

For the more experienced contractors here...

I am happy for now as I'm at a large bank and PM contracts in this sector seem reasonably numerous currently.

?

Not RBS by any chance? If so don't worry - you'll still be there in 5 years time.

[Xenophon]

Not RBS by any chance? If so don't worry - you'll still be there in 5 years time.

Good guess, but I'm not at liberty to divulge that information...

[voron]

Good guess, but I'm not at liberty to divulge that information...

Go on, get us a job. I'll be your best pal. I'll sit in the corner and look eager. I'll even change my pants every week.