Moving to a new field.

[pmeswani]

As a contractor, how easy is it to change direction in the work you do?

The reason why I ask is that I have applied for a Data Analyst role for a company in London and have previously had experience within the IT Security arena. I have done some Data Manipulation work within Excel in a previous role, so feel somewhat comfortable doing this role.

So I am wondering if anyone has made the move as a contractor to a new field altogether? I know the general advice is to go perm, get the experience and then go back to contracting, but am looking for general advice / guidance (other than don't do it and go perm).

Ta in advance.

[Wanderer]

As a contractor, how easy is it to change direction in the work you do?

Go for it. Just go for it. That's the contractor way innt?

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something - if you see a chance then take it. You're only a contractor so hopefully people will give you a chance and you can get your foot in the door. Maybe it will work out, maybe it won't. If it doesn't then just move on. Better to have tried and failed that never tried at all. I've done lots of jobs where I look back and laugh when I remember at how green I was. All you need is the can-do attitude and willingness to step out of your comfort zone, put in some hard graft and get the skills.

[northernladuk]

Moving roles is very hard. Data analysts tend to do a little more than play with excel I am afraid. We just got some guys in doing something similar but they needed to know Business Objects and some database skills. You have to remember you might have had a dabble but does your CV make you look like you are a pro and can do the job with your eyes closed? I don't think so.

I have not moved fields altogether but have added some good skills by being flexible in the role and camping at peoples desks that know a technology I want to do. Showing a bit of nouse in that area may get you some work doing it with your current client if he values you as a good worker. It is about as close as you will get to permie type training. If you get the know the guys in that area they may help you get work or at least training.

I think just applying for a role because you have done a little previously is a very long shot. Everytime I say this someone comes on and says they did it lol.

What I would question is why do you want to move to that field. For the first few contracts your CV will show part of your old and some of your new skills so making you a little diluted compared to guys applying for the same roles with many years experience so be sure its what you want.

[pmeswani]

Moving roles is very hard. Data analysts tend to do a little more than play with excel I am afraid. We just got some guys in doing something similar but they needed to know Business Objects and some database skills. You have to remember you might have had a dabble but does your CV make you look like you are a pro and can do the job with your eyes closed? I don't think so.

I have not moved fields altogether but have added some good skills by being flexible in the role and camping at peoples desks that know a technology I want to do. Showing a bit of nouse in that area may get you some work doing it with your current client if he values you as a good worker. It is about as close as you will get to permie type training. If you get the know the guys in that area they may help you get work or at least training.

I think just applying for a role because you have done a little previously is a very long shot. Everytime I say this someone comes on and says they did it lol.

What I would question is why do you want to move to that field. For the first few contracts your CV will show part of your old and some of your new skills so making you a little diluted compared to guys applying for the same roles with many years experience so be sure its what you want.

Hi NLUK, thanks for the post.

I think you have a valid point in general. The advert did say that they needed someone with Excel Skills, but I hear what you are saying about Business Objects.

Regarding the question as to why I want to move into the field of Data Analysis. I find that I enjoy manipulating raw data into meaningful information more interesting that what I have been doing previously, not to say that I don't enjoy what I have been doing before. I have done some Data Analysis commercially as part of a bigger role, and do get a buzz out of it, which is why I want to move away from what I have been doing before into something I enjoy. You are right that I don't have the experience and will probably be used against me, but one can, I hope, only try.

[pmeswani]

Go for it. Just go for it. That's the contractor way innt?

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something - if you see a chance then take it. You're only a contractor so hopefully people will give you a chance and you can get your foot in the door. Maybe it will work out, maybe it won't. If it doesn't then just move on. Better to have tried and failed that never tried at all. I've done lots of jobs where I look back and laugh when I remember at how green I was. All you need is the can-do attitude and willingness to step out of your comfort zone, put in some hard graft and get the skills.

Not really a constructive response is it? If the post was put in general, I would understand the banter. But the question I posed, I hope, was a serious one. Glad you got a cheap laugh out of my question.

[nomadd]

Not really a constructive response is it? If the post was put in general, I would understand the banter. But the question I posed, I hope, was a serious one. Glad you got a cheap laugh out of my question.

Hmm.. I thought his response was "bang on", TBH. I agree with what he said completely.

In 23 years of contracting I've completely "changed fields" at least five times. Survival of the fittest and all that. If you are prepared to "go for it" and "burn the midnight oil" to get yourself up-to-speed, I don't think you'll have any problems. If you never try, you'll never know.

[zamzummim]

I have move directions and rotate my contracts most of the time, from technical to business, from business analyst to data analyst to technical analyst , to a programmer if needed, also changed industries. I just check out the market and see the demands. You need to be good in highlighting specific skills each time you apply for a different role (as most roles are multi skills, e.g. most roles require analysis, dealing with data, dealing with users, dealing with manager, organisational skills etc) but one need to highlight the skills that are required for the role they are applying for.
If its something new completely but you’d like it on your CV, one needs to lower their rate, go at a lower position, or rely on old network to get them in. I tried all of the above.

[pmeswani]

Hmm.. I thought his response was "bang on", TBH. I agree with what he said completely.

In 23 years of contracting I've completely "changed fields" at least five times. Survival of the fittest and all that. If you are prepared to "go for it" and "burn the midnight oil" to get yourself up-to-speed, I don't think you'll have any problems. If you never try, you'll never know.

Sorry, I am having an off day. Apology to Wanderer for my rude response.

The problem I have is that I have been doing what I have for the past 10+ years, and now need to find different challenges to keep me motivated.

[Wanderer]

Sorry, I am having an off day. Apology to Wanderer for my rude response.

Ahh, that's ok. I didn't mean that I was having a laugh at you, rather than it was at how green I was when I started some of the contract's I've done. Sorry if it came over the wrong way.

[pmeswani]

Ahh, that's ok. I didn't mean that I was having a laugh at you, rather than it was at how green I was when I started some of the contract's I've done. Sorry if it came over the wrong way.

No worries. I know banter can be taken the wrong way sometimes, and I do normally see the funny side of things..... It was just one of those days. I admit that I am niaive in a lot of things when it comes to contracting, but try to be reasonably realistic.

I know the theory, if you don't try, you won't get, but just wanted to understand the difficulties fellow contractors go through in terms of finding new opportunities in different fields based on their experience.

I am use to a lot of rejections (both work wise and in my love life), even in my current line of work, so am reasonably grounded. I want to open up different opportunities for myself in the short and long term and make myself more diverse in my abilities. I only discovered my enjoyment of data manipulation whilst on a contract, which is why I am keen to move on to new things.