Need a contract quickly

[Olly]

Because there was a thread on this awhile ago and the discussion was a standard is around 12% as confirmed by two agents who regularly post on this board.
YOf course the rates are different in the example you gave but the differentiator here is that you mentioned HUGE companies. Of course the rate is going be lower FFS. The agents have been squeezed due to the volume of work. You think an agent is going to accept 8% at a company with only 2 or 3 contractors? Get real.

No I don't think that. But the thread was about investment banks, some of whom are big users of contractors and you mentioned nothing about the size of the company in your example.

Anyway no matter...I made my point, stating things as FACT when they're not 'can' be misleading.

[thunderlizard]

If you need a contract quickly, search Jobserve for "hit the ground running". This is a signal that the client is pretty desperate. You'll see mostly low rate-ranges: pitch in towards the bottom. Go in with a very flexible attitude and don't worry about the rate: "hit the ground running" contracts are usually on short terms so there'll be a chance to put it back up to something more normal at your first renewal request.

[meridian]

Not usually at all. Sometimes yes but as I said already in my experience 100% of the last contracts I stared in less then a week and would stick my neck out and say this is pretty common place.

So they pick option number two from the interviews or three or four or one of the other guys that sent his CV in. What do you think they will do, ring you up, interview you and go through the whole process again? You can't just jump the queue just because you are available. I don't want to be rude but your grasp on business process and the whole way this works seems pretty poor.

Ayup. In my current contract I was number 2 in the interviews (pun intended?).

Number 1 didn't turn up, so I got the call on Friday morning to start the contract on Monday.

[MarillionFan]

OP

Are you getting confused between 'quickly' or short-term?

I spent a year or so doing 'short-term'. ie. Always available next day, location no problem, 2/3/4 days , 1-2 weeks etc. I had a reputation for it with a number of agents and would get phonecalls.

Otherwise, I'm not sure what you are really asking.

[Aman]

If you want no fuss, no questions asked immediate start then it isn't going to happen in IT. You'll get next day starts with no interview in trades, construction, driving and the like if you want to aim low.

[Saddo]

If you want no fuss, no questions asked immediate start then it isn't going to happen in IT

It doesn't stop the agents wanting to know if you could start tomorrow.

I've been contracting for years and there hasn't been a single occasion where the gap between initial call, interview and start date has been within a week. Most times it is up to 2 weeks.

[SueEllen]

It doesn't stop the agents wanting to know if you could start tomorrow.

I've been contracting for years and there hasn't been a single occasion where the gap between initial call, interview and start date has been within a week. Most times it is up to 2 weeks.

I've had it more than once.

[northernladuk]

I've had it more than once.

Really??? Tell us more??

[Saddo]

I've had it more than once.

Any pics?

[Oscar]

Short contracts -good idea.

OP
Are you getting confused between 'quickly' or short-term?
.

No - its my question! I mean getting a contract quickly, and getting it easier because they need somebody quickly.

I spent a year or so doing 'short-term'. ie. Always available next day, location no problem, 2/3/4 days , 1-2 weeks etc. I had a reputation for it with a number of agents and would get phonecalls.
Otherwise, I'm not sure what you are really asking.

Could be an idea - since the market is a bit "thick" where I live (It could be easy to find a short term contract in a "thinner" area).

How would I search for them? In my work area a short contract is usually meant to be extended if they are happy with you.