Newbie looking for first contract advice

[tarbera]

good feedback

This is what I was thinking. I'm still trying to get my head in the right gear however I wondered if it being my first contract made a difference.

It's amazing how much advice differs from person to person, e.g.



I've just entered the market and have plenty of savings and good feedback on my CV and experience so no reason to think I'll have any trouble landing a contract. Talking to the agent about this particular 4 weeker it was working with older technologies and really didn't sound like there was any scope for extensions, just tying up an existing project.

good feedback is called an interview anything else is blowing smoke up your ar$e

[Spacecadet]

Hi all,

I recently moved into the contract market after several years in a permie role and I'm looking for advice on what length of contract I should be looking for for my first contract. Ideally I'd like at least a 3-6 month contract but have seen some short term contracts (around 4 weeks) that would give me experience in new sectors. What is the general feeling of how a 4 week contract might look on my CV as my first contract and would the new sector exposure justify taking the contract?

Nothing wrong with a very short contract. I've had a couple of these over the past 5 years.
What they show, if you sell the experience properly afterwards, is that you can hit the ground running and get results fast. And it's not just technical competence which this demonstrates, usually you'll have to spend a fair bit of time getting information from people. If you've got only a limited time frame inwhich to operate then your people skills need to be fairly sharp too otherwise you'll end up getting the run-around or crap information.

And the other good point about short contracts is that you're fully justified taking calls about other work during the day.

[sharper1]

Indeed I thought you were expecting the client to sent him on some type of training course

My head isn't that stuck in the darkside!

While we're on that subject I know I'm lacking certain skills that would go a long way to opening a lot more contracts up to me. Believe it or not I have seen contracts that would give me exposure to these skills without any requirement for previous commercial experience, all be it at a reduced rate. Personally I'd be happy to take a lower rate to get these skills. The only alternative would be to self-learn but I'm sure this is no substitute for the real deal.

[SueEllen]

While we're on that subject I know I'm lacking certain skills that would go a long way to opening a lot more contracts up to me. Believe it or not I have seen contracts that would give me exposure to these skills without any requirement for previous commercial experience, all be it at a reduced rate. Personally I'd be happy to take a lower rate to get these skills. The only alternative would be to self-learn but I'm sure this is no substitute for the real deal.

Depending what your skill set is you need to do a mixture of self-learning and learn on the job. I've got contracts before from being able to digest and action what I've read in journals, emails and blogs.

In addition while most agents will not be interested in you if you don't have commercial experience as they are just ticking boxes, if you can get a contract direct you may find this doesn't matter.

[sharper1]

Well, just landed my first contract. Went for a 3 monther with likely extensions and exposure to technologies that will do my CV no harm at all. Took a hit on the rate which I'll put down to first time naivity but I'm happy. Location is great and I reckon the skills I'll pick up will more than compensate for the hit in the long run.

For any other first timers looking to make the move I can only say so far I have no regrets. I started applying for contracts while still working but the notice period was a killer. Decided to make the jump and handed my notice in, only had to wait 3 weeks after finishing to get this first contract. First step on a new path and it feels great.

[jmo21]

Well done!

I was going to chime in about the 4 week contract.

For a first time contractor, I'm positive that would set off alarm bells in an agents head for your first contract. I think they'd assume you got the boot, despite what you tell them.

[Rabotnik]

I've been looking for contracts for about 2 weeks since I handed in my notice at my current job where I've worked for 4.5 years. I had a few calls from agents who said they would put my CV forward for a few roles, but no interviews yet

I have just under 2 weeks left of my notice period, so hopefully I will get more interest now.

[matteo]

I have also just started showing my interest in contracts, as a foundation how important are degrees in your experience? At the moment I'm only educated up to A level standard, I'm thinking on possibly going to uni next year. Has anyone progressed without a degree?

[cojak]

I have also just started showing my interest in contracts, as a foundation how important are degrees in your experience? At the moment I'm only educated up to A level standard, I'm thinking on possibly going to uni next year. Has anyone progressed without a degree?

Clients employ you for your experience and skill-set, not because you've got a degree.

But if you're very young (early 20's) it's better to have a degree than not. If you're older go for it if it interests you.

[sharper1]

I've been looking for contracts for about 2 weeks since I handed in my notice at my current job where I've worked for 4.5 years. I had a few calls from agents who said they would put my CV forward for a few roles, but no interviews yet

I have just under 2 weeks left of my notice period, so hopefully I will get more interest now.

I was applying for contracts before I'd even handed in my notice on my permie role, got a couple of interviews but not much else interest. I assumed (hoped) my notice period was the issue. Ironically the contract I've just landed was for the first interview I had since finishing my permanent role 3 weeks ago. I don't mind admiting those 3 weeks weren't easy to sit through. Certainly a realistic introduction to the contract market!