As the title suggests, I'm quite new to contracting. I've just been accepted for a contract, however I'm slightly(/very) confused about the contract....or rather if its a contract position that I've actually been offered.......
So the story goes, I saw a vacancy with quite a low rate (in pa, not p/d or p/h), but unfortunately I'm not in the positon to turn it down, so I applied. Within minutes the agent calls me, "I'm going to put your CV forward, are you available for interview tomorrow?" The answers yes, as I'm quite desperate and being new to the contractor scene I assume that interviews are arranged quickly. Later the agent confirms that I have an interview and I'm asked to come into the office before the interview.......I had read a couple of days before on here that some of you attend and some don't, but again being in my positon I decide to attend. So I arrive, I fill out candidate registration forms, do a test and then meet my agent. My agent tells me about the job, goes through my last employment, etc. I go to my interview. I get asked strange questions, nothing about my work history/hobbies/family/etc and assume that this is how it feels to be a contractor. They ask what I'm after, I tell them, job done. That afternoon agent calls me. They want to see me again the next day - perfect! I arrive, and we get on with the interview. At that point the job role has slightly changed. I obviously question this and interviewers look at each other confuslingly and compare the job role with what my agent has told me - agent told me that I would be working on 1st Line Helpdesk, interviewers tell me that I'm doing half/half of 1st & 2nd line (should the rate go up?) Ok, then they really confuse me by asking how many holiday days I have booked and telling me I am entitled to 10 days PAID holiday (is this a contract?) At which point I grab the opportunity to book a couple and leave. Agent calls me, tells me I've got the job at which point I ask who's employing me, she answers the company and that I would be an employee of theirs(more alarm bells).
I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole hill, but am I right to hesitant. The rate, I'll be honest, is pennies compared to what I should be paying or even what the going rate is. I've been told its for 6 months without possible extension. However, I've also been told I have paid holiday and that there could be progression through the company in the 6 months. I thought as a contractor you worked for yourself and you did the job you were contracted to do.......
So the story goes, I saw a vacancy with quite a low rate (in pa, not p/d or p/h), but unfortunately I'm not in the positon to turn it down, so I applied. Within minutes the agent calls me, "I'm going to put your CV forward, are you available for interview tomorrow?" The answers yes, as I'm quite desperate and being new to the contractor scene I assume that interviews are arranged quickly. Later the agent confirms that I have an interview and I'm asked to come into the office before the interview.......I had read a couple of days before on here that some of you attend and some don't, but again being in my positon I decide to attend. So I arrive, I fill out candidate registration forms, do a test and then meet my agent. My agent tells me about the job, goes through my last employment, etc. I go to my interview. I get asked strange questions, nothing about my work history/hobbies/family/etc and assume that this is how it feels to be a contractor. They ask what I'm after, I tell them, job done. That afternoon agent calls me. They want to see me again the next day - perfect! I arrive, and we get on with the interview. At that point the job role has slightly changed. I obviously question this and interviewers look at each other confuslingly and compare the job role with what my agent has told me - agent told me that I would be working on 1st Line Helpdesk, interviewers tell me that I'm doing half/half of 1st & 2nd line (should the rate go up?) Ok, then they really confuse me by asking how many holiday days I have booked and telling me I am entitled to 10 days PAID holiday (is this a contract?) At which point I grab the opportunity to book a couple and leave. Agent calls me, tells me I've got the job at which point I ask who's employing me, she answers the company and that I would be an employee of theirs(more alarm bells).
I'm probably making a mountain out of a mole hill, but am I right to hesitant. The rate, I'll be honest, is pennies compared to what I should be paying or even what the going rate is. I've been told its for 6 months without possible extension. However, I've also been told I have paid holiday and that there could be progression through the company in the 6 months. I thought as a contractor you worked for yourself and you did the job you were contracted to do.......
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