My life as a contractor- Day 2

[kempc23]

It won't help much in your case, but to others looking my advice is to stay in your cushy permie jobs forever, or at least until you land and sign something real.

If you have direct contacts, bypassing the agency is the best thing you can do money-wise.

That would never have helped in my case, as I had a three month notice period. The only way it would work was if I took the risk.

Anyways, I had my first interview today It was a telephone interview with a PM. It went really well and he wants me to have a technical interview with one of his consultants tomorrow. The role is not perfect, but it has boosted my confidence a bit in any case. Rate is good, but it would involve nearly 4 hours travelling per day. I am just going to do my best at the tech interview and see what happens.

[Wanderer]

I know the guy personally who is going to be interviewing for these roles, as I have worked with him, and have had a couple of meetings with him.

If you know the bloke then talk to him! However, I would suggest a phone call rather than an email. If anything happens then the discussions in a phone call are forgettable/deniable but an email will be archived, retained and could be used in a negative way.

the agency advised against this. Any thoughts?

Well they would, wouldn't they!!!

What happens is that you speak direct to the client who say "OK, we'll have you back but this agency is wanting a big cut/not on the PSL etc so we want you to deal through another agency who is on our preferred suppliers list and will take a small (say 5-7% cut)".

If YOU have a contact in the business then it's in everyone's interest that you contact them direct and cut out the middle man who adds pretty much no value here. The only ones that will complain about this are the agents, everyone else stands to win out of the deal. It also stops agents bulltulipting you about the client not offering the full rate you expected (when they are actually trying to pump up their margin). Negotiate direct with the client as much as possible and you will keep the agents honest.

[SimonMac]

That would never have helped in my case, as I had a three month notice period. The only way it would work was if I took the risk.

Anyways, I had my first interview today It was a telephone interview with a PM. It went really well and he wants me to have a technical interview with one of his consultants tomorrow. The role is not perfect, but it has boosted my confidence a bit in any case. Rate is good, but it would involve nearly 4 hours travelling per day. I am just going to do my best at the tech interview and see what happens.

Where are you based?

I am travelling 4 hours a day at the moment, staying over a couple of nights a week though.

[kempc23]

I am based in London, and have found that most of the work seems either to be in London or commutable from here.

Four hours travel a day sounds horrendous

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

I am based in London, and have found that most of the work seems either to be in London or commutable from here.

Four hours travel a day sounds horrendous

Two hours door to door isnt that bad if you can go by train, however if you can get it down to working from home 1 or 2 days a week it isnt that big problem.

Even if you have to be 5 days a week on site you can try being clever. I had a 2 hour drive one way to one contract and stayed over a couple of nights, worked late the day arriving and started very early next day to be able to leave 3-4 to be home for 5-6.

As a contractor you have to get used to travelling and being inventive with your working practices.

[VectraMan]

Two hours door to door isnt that bad if you can go by train, however if you can get it down to working from home 1 or 2 days a week it isnt that big problem.

Better yet, use a car.

I was working 100 miles away on the last gig, which is 1 1/2 - 2 hour trip by car, or a bit longer by train/taxi/bus. It's okay; I think 2 hours is the tipping point between something you can cope with, and something that just becomes too tiring to be worth it. But I've always found it's better to stick to the routine (i.e. get up early and do the same trip every day), rather than staying over the occasional night.

I had a year of working on site Mon,Wed,Fri and doing Tue and Thu at home to save on a similar commute. That was good, but I arranged that after having done the first 6 months on site. You'll always be in a much stronger position to negotiate when it comes to renewal.

[dynamicsaxcontractor]

Better yet, use a car.

I used to travel by car, but after spending to much time parked up on motorways round the country I have started travelling by train. Much more comfortable and way more relaxing. Its just such a waste of time sitting in the car.

[VectraMan]

I used to travel by car, but after spending to much time parked up on motorways round the country I have started travelling by train. Much more comfortable and way more relaxing. Its just such a waste of time sitting in the car.

Each to their own, but being 6 foot tall trains for me are often akin to spending 2 hours in a medieval torture device. Plus there's the having to put up with other people factor, and all the stress associated with getting to the station in time and the extra stress when the train doesn't get to the station in time. Finally there's the problem with the train not going where you need it to go, or when you need it to go. At my last gig a car day would mean leaving for 7am, and getting home at 6:30, on a good day. The train trip meant leaving at 6:40am and getting home at 7:30, some of which was waiting around on platforms and bus stops. It's just such a waste of time sitting on a platform.

I took the train a few times, but I found it far more exhausting than just driving, and the extra hour in the evening makes a big difference.

But YMMV.

[Boo]

Well, thanks for your input, it was really helpful.

I will spell it out :

There were no jobs in the first place. You have been comprehensively lied to. In the current market you may be a year or longer finding a job, contract or not. And you gave up your day job for this. Hahahahahahaha !

Boo

[SueEllen]

I will spell it out :

There were no jobs in the first place. You have been comprehensively lied to. In the current market you may be a year or longer finding a job, contract or not. And you gave up your day job for this. Hahahahahahaha !

Boo

Boo has he got exactly the same skills as you? If not how do you know he will be on the market for a year for a contract?