Do's and Dont's for contractors (and other questions)

[Wanderer]

Also, I am quite disappointed by the attitude of the above poster.

That's just their way of welcoming you. There is a bit of a tradition of giving the noobies a bit of a kicking to start with to see what they are made of and if they stand up for themselves. It's kind of an initiation ceremony. For what it's worth, it looks like you passed the test so welcome!

Ps: I read on another forum that someone lost a contract (terminated) because he made a few personal phone calls from his office phone. How silly is that?

That's life really. They can and do terminate contractors for no reason. Well, when I say "no reason", it could be the office bully, a frustrated manager, or perhaps the contractor is made the scapegoat for a project or something that goes wrong.

It's tough when that happens but you have to take a deep breath, take it on the chin and move onto the next contract. You aren't going to get contractors rates AND job security.

1. What are basic do's and dont's for a contractor. I am worried I might end up doing something (thats okay for a permie to do) thats a total no-no for a contractor!

Hmm, generally there isn't that much difference. It does vary from client to client.

Some of them embrace you as if you were a permie and treat you with equal respect, others will discriminate against you in petty ways which seem to be simply to annoy you, like not allowing you Internet access, making your logon account/security pass expire and need renewing every few months etc (grin and bear it).

Some will accept that you are an independent business person and let you set your working location/hours as you see fit and take time off when it suits you, others will expect you to do a clock watching 9-5 and work around their needs when it comes to taking time off.

Try to think, talk and act businesslike, ie how your LTD with you as a consultant adds value to the client's business. Think of yourself as an external supplier doing a job for the client, not a sort of a permie with no employment rights.

Often you will be invited to work social events, but don't be offended if you are excluded.

Don't expect to get staff discount, free gym membership and all the other permie perks (but you would have guessed that!).

On the plus side, you won't have to do performance reviews, set goals and all that permie nonsense.

2. What are the things I should strictly follow to manage an extension?

Do a good job! Keep the managers happy. Take the team out and buy them a few beers now and then. You know the drill. Remind the client at 6 weeks out that your contract is expiring and indicate that you feel there is a lot more that you can contribute to the project/business. I like to keep a hit list of past achievements to remind them how good you are and things the client needs done so I can drop them into discussions when it comes to an extension. Remember that the person you talk to about the extension may have to justify it to their manager so spoon feed them what they need. Achievements, work in progress and outstanding work to be done where you can really add value.

3. I am a Business Analyst, planning to take ISEB Diploma. What other certifications

I don't have any qualifications - I trade based on my experience so I'm not really placed to comment on this. Each to their own really.

4. Some more questions:
a) is it okay to browse the internet while at work? (not all the time, but just sometimes, like 15mins break?)
b) Should I strictly follow the teams timings? (all of them come in at 9am sharp...I usually come in at 9:10. Wondering if I should strictly disipline myself)

Initially, take it cautiously and see what the culture is.

Technically, you are your own boss so you can do what you like but in reality this will grate with the permies on site so you need to respect the culture of the workplace unless you don't care about alienating people. I must say that most of the successful people I have done business with are also very flexible, likable and easy to get along with. I don't think that's a coincidence.

Clients routinely monitor Internet traffic so watch what you do. Don't do private stuff, forums, facebook, emails etc on a work computer. Get a good smartphone or a laptop with 3G dongle.

Don't let the permies know how much you earn, change the subject or remain silent as it will only lead to bad feeling. Try very hard not to be drawn on it but if really pressed then I just point out that I don't get pension, sick pay, holiday pay, paternity pay and all the other great perks so it pretty much balances out really.

[NotAllThere]

You know that tulip has a specific meaning in these forums...

...
5) If you are a manager/lead handling contractors, what are the things you'll look for to extend the contract? also, what things will p*** you off badly that you decide not to extend (or even terminate) the contract? ...

First and foremost: do you get the job done, and do it well? Everything else is secondary. If you don't get the job done, or do it badly, and/or I find you've bulltulipted me about something, you won't get renewed. You'd have to do something really awful to be terminated immediately. The two times I've seen it done it involved huge amounts of alcohol and utterly inappropriate behaviour.

A good rule for a contractor is: always buy the first round at the pub.

[elf]

some good learning here

My first post, there is some good learning and lots of experienced input on here.

I truely feel in end one is truely answerable to oneself.

Managing relationships is also very very important. I had a aweful experience recently but have to take it on to my chin and move on. (there is very little one can do if manager is a frustrated bob and does not like your shirt's colour one day...lol)

[Ignis Fatuus]

I should also add, since the OP expressed a strong desire to stay long-term: when your contract comes to and end and you are not renewed, you have not "been fired". The fact that you didn't get an extension doesn't necessarily mean that you weren't any good. Make sure not only that you accept that, but that your partner and any others really close to you also understand that.

[mos]

I had a awful experience recently but have to take it on to my chin and move on. (there is very little one can do if manager is a frustrated bob and does not like your shirt's color one day...lol)

Yep! I had experience like that last year. It is Very hard to move on.

[SimonMac]

My first post, there is some good learning and lots of experienced input on here.

I truely feel in end one is truely answerable to oneself.

Managing relationships is also very very important. I had a aweful experience recently but have to take it on to my chin and move on. (there is very little one can do if manager is a frustrated bob and does not like your shirt's colour one day...lol)

If you are going to refer to yourself as "oneself" make sure the rest of your grammar is correct.

#JustSaying and welcome to the board

[Scoi]

1. Make sure the lines between permies and yourself is there but don't come across arrogant and awkward about it. You don't have to follow the company rules but they are there for a reason. Socializing is fine, but if the permie's have 2 pints on a friday lunch and a lazy afternoon, think about whether you want to be part of that or distance yourself. The main thing is to get the Permie you report to to understand the business arrangement, they will naturally try and treat you like a permie and sometimes you will need to remind them of the contract.

Get involved in some parts of the office culture, there's nothing wrong with joining the coffee club (if it's good stuff), playing golf with permie's etc. If they get on with you then it's an extra point in the extension/return next year box.

Don't try and convince all the permie's that contracting is the only way to go. It adds competition in your local area and the client will hate you for it.

After working 9 hours overtime by a Wednesday, I informed stand-in Permie manager i was taking Friday off as I had already worked the maximum hours I was permitted to and could not get approval signed off in time. He declined saying I didn't submit a holiday request 7 days in advance. Had to explain that my services we're not available and I would arrange for a replacement to be available should they want it. He soon understood that I was not a permie. Most Permie's won't need that approach and if they've dealt with good contractors in the past they will know the score.

2. It's pretty simple. If they need a contractor and you've proved yourself to be valuable you will stay. Value to the company means to work you produce and the amount of hassle you have/haven't caused. If a different area of expertise is needed or work dries up there's quite a few spaces available on the bench.

3. I'm not IT so no idea sorry.

4. Some more questions:
a) To start with be very strict with your time. Get your phone out to check the news/emails/facebook etc. Once you've settled in a bit and seen what other contractors do decide from there. Make it obvious you are having a break and on the net by having a coffee.
b) Some clients like all workers to be present together but it goes a long way with some managers if you are in early/late. Officially, you aren't on the same clock and a bit of brown nosing can get you the extension you want. Remember to add on lunch and breaks so they don't think you're taking the mick. Extended poo breaks can be invoiced.

[NotAllThere]

Extended poo breaks can be invoiced

[MyUserName]

What would you expect from a contractor?

Would you be happy if they spent an hour surfing the web whilst waiting for client feedback or would you expect them to find something else to do etc?

Once you have worked out your expectations - make sure you exceed them to the client until they say otherwise?

[formant]

A support monkey, or developer asking these question might not be so bad, because the required expertise is technical, but I thought it was ironic that a Business Anaylst was asking these sorts of questions..

Now I'm not in Business Analysis at all, but even I know that Business Analysis has about as little to do with day-to-day petty company policy as development or support does. So no, it's really not all that ironic.

What is and isn't 'okay' however is really best ascertained by observing other contractors and permies on site. Until you figure out what feels acceptable and what doesn't, be on time and browse the web on your phone. I'd expect you would have done the same as a permie.