Permie to Cotract

[MarillionFan]

I asked all these questions about 6 months ago and had a lot of feedback on it which I used to get me into contracting. So have a read through the forums.



Bull - they didn't let me go, I had to work my 75% of my notice period. They will never let you go at 1-2 weeks notice if you are any good. Min 3-4 weeks which is too much most of the time. You can leave but that is no way to get into contracting.

Also I have started to appreciate why us contractors get paid so much more than perm staff. Ever heard of job security? Well there is none here, no 2nd chances, no mercy, no income protection. If you aint good then you get the axe, simple as. I have seen it happen a few times already in my short time as a contractor. So be sure that you can be up there with the best or else its bye bye.

Aint that the truth. For all the bulltulip, blarney & extending the truth(lies) that 'some' contractors employ, at the end of the day, if you can't walk the walk, you will be found out quicker than a Labour MP on an all expenses paid trip to the Maldives!

[The Wikir Man]

Read your notice period carefully, just in case there is any leeway.

My last permie job had a four week notice period in it, but they added a clause that said that it could be waived "by either party". What they meant was that it could be waived by mutual agreement - what they got was 9 days notice so that I could finish my work and get out the door.

Company IT Director not a happy man. Group IT Director later said that there were no hard feelings, wished me luck, told me to keep in touch, and said that they were rewording their contracts.

[Wanderer]

I have been a permie for many years and would like to test the contract world. Since i have a notice period with my current employer, no one is ready to wait that long for starting a contract, mostly consultants dont prefer to send my resume if they have options.

Don't resign without a new contract to go to.

If you've been permie for a while then DON'T burn your bridges by walking out of the job. You may need a reference from them at sometime in the future (or even come back!) so leave on good terms.

Tell the agencies that you can start immediately. It's a blatant lie, but it will get your CV put forward more. If you get an offer then you can negotiate. I've seen lots of contracts where they say "start immediately" then they can't get the budget signed off for 3-4 weeks, project gets delayed for a bit, etc.

If your notice period is really long (3 months or something silly) then they can't reasonably be expected to hold you to it. You can usually negotiate it down to a few weeks.

It will help if you make sure that all your stuff in your permie job is well documented and that people are fully briefed to cover you (spin it to them that you want people to be able to cover during sick/holiday etc). It will help your case a lot when you come to leave.

[bobspud]

getting screwed royally...

Some poor sod got screwed for pulling the get the contract first an lie about the notice period stunt at our place the other week. They accepted an offer, started and then disapeared for 3 days the first week 2 the next and so on...

The manager let them faf around till they had worked their 4 weeks notice at the old place, then phoned the agency and told them not to bother coming to site again.

She also phoned the old boss and pointed out what the idiot had been up to. Apparently he didn't have any holiday left at the old place and had been telling them his mum was ill to make an appearance...

No job + No reference

[DotNetDeveloper]

a couple of big ones...

Its a daunting move jumping into contracting, thats for sure. I was going to do it back in 2007, but got headhunted for another permie position and so luckily rode out the recession with them.

Recently I had set myself a plan of things to do prior to making the leap into contracting this year. All the usual things such as setting up a limited company, getting PCG membership w/ all the insurances, website / business cards etc...

Then I decided that these, whilst are all good practice, were merely excuses for procrastinating the eventual move. I basically had to grow a large pair and bite the bullet. Last Thursday I resigned from my permie job with nothing lined up at the other end. I have a very low cost of living and have enough money to last me in excess of 6 months but decided it was a now or never situation.

The next couple of weeks will see me setting up my contracting business with haste. However, I am on good terms with my employer and may even tag on a month's contract at the end just to finish off some outstanding work (im sure IR35 will have something to say about this). They have even discussed arrangements for regular contract work with them in the future.

Its very hard falling without any safety net, but it all comes down to managed risk in my opinion, oh and having the guts to just do it.

[worzelGummidge]

Grow some balls and hand your notice in.
Then look for a contract when you have finished your permy job.
If you just can't hand your notice in BEFORE looking for a contract then I would have a real hard think about if you feel you are suitable for contracting.
Contracting is a bit of a roller coaster ride - even in the good times.
What ever you decide good luck.

[Wanderer]

Last Thursday I resigned from my permie job with nothing lined up at the other end. I have a very low cost of living and have enough money to last me in excess of 6 months but decided it was a now or never situation.

That's the main thing in my opinion. And as you say, a large pair of cojones.

Good luck!

[Ardesco]

At the end of the day if you want to go contracting just hand in your notice and start looking.

If you are scared of being out of work for a period of time while you find a contract, contracting is not for you.

HTH