New to IT contracting - conflicting advice

[heyya99]

Hi all,

I am a permanent J2EE developer and want to get into contracting. I have 3.5 years Java experience (5 years total development experience). I have an MSc in Computing and am Java certified.

I've been getting conflicting advice on whether I have enough experience in Java yet. Do any of you know if employers would give me a contract with said experience?

In my current post, I have 1 month's notice period. Is there a chance I could get a Java contract with this notice period or should I quit my permanent role first?

Any help is welcome,.

Thanks

[heyya99]

Hi all,

I am a permanent J2EE developer and want to get into contracting. I have 3.5 years Java experience (5 years total development experience). I have an MSc in Computing and am Java certified.

I've been getting conflicting advice on whether I have enough experience in Java yet. Do any of you know if employers would give me a contract with said experience?

In my current post, I have 1 month's notice period. Is there a chance I could get a Java contract with this notice period or should I quit my permanent role first?

Any help is welcome,.

Thanks

Sorry, that should say 3 years 8 months.

[Bluespider]

Take a look at the first timers section over here >>>>>>>>>>

[Scrag Meister]

To a certain extent clients get what they pay for.

If they want someone with mega years experience they pay, if not then they pay less.

Not saying you couldn't get a contract but rates can go up as well as down depending on the experience of the contractor.

There is probably a market for all skill levels, but it also depends on the industry.

[lukemg]

Easy - start applying for roles, tell them your team is getting outsourced so they have agreed to let you leave at 1 weeks notice (this is very important or agent will not bother), market tells you if you have skills in demand - Well, for 3 months anyway, then it's pot luck....

[heyya99]

Easy - start applying for roles, tell them your team is getting outsourced so they have agreed to let you leave at 1 weeks notice (this is very important or agent will not bother), market tells you if you have skills in demand - Well, for 3 months anyway, then it's pot luck....

You mean lie just to test the water so I'll know if my 3yrs 8mths is enough?

[heyya99]

To a certain extent clients get what they pay for.

If they want someone with mega years experience they pay, if not then they pay less.

Not saying you couldn't get a contract but rates can go up as well as down depending on the experience of the contractor.

There is probably a market for all skill levels, but it also depends on the industry.

Do you know of any contractors geting roles with a small amount of experience?

[fullyautomatix]

If you think your experience is small then wait for a couple of years, get more experience under your belt, network a lot and then jump into contracting. What is the hurry ? You are not in some competition to make your first million are you ?

[kaiser78]

You mean lie just to test the water so I'll know if my 3yrs 8mths is enough?

You also need to clearly demonstrate what you have done during these 3 yrs 8 months that will enable you to add value to whatever role you are going for.

[SueEllen]

Do you know of any contractors geting roles with a small amount of experience?

Some people have never been permanent employees whilst others have had 20+ years of experience before they become a contractor.

There are no hard and fast rules.

Oh and unless you have personal contacts which will get you a role, then you will have to neglect to tell agents certain things otherwise they aren't interested.