Moving from Permanent to Contract world

[ChimpMaster]

My guess is that either he is applying for jobs and agents aren't ringing or agents are ringing but it doesn't progress any further and he wants to know why?

Personally I've never had a problem but I'm very old school. Find job, submit appropriate cv, chase agent to ensure name is on list. then move on to the next job.

My guess is 5.

[acontractor]

Yes.

1. Lack of experience

2. Notice period

3. Bob-able skill set

4. Crappy market ATM

What attracts you about contracting?

1. Lack of experience

??? I think 7 years of dev expereince is good enough. (You might be suggesting in general terms?)

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Yes.

1. Lack of experience

2. Notice period

3. Bob-able skill set

4. Crappy market ATM

What attracts you about contracting?

So your a Java developer as well?

[northernladuk]

??? I think 7 years of dev expereince is good enough. (You might be suggesting in general terms?)

7 years isn't a lot when they are looking for experts in the field and I think the original comment also covers the fact he has no contracting experience. If the OP up against a guy with 7+ years experience and 3 contracting for example he is going to find it tough.

[stek]

7 years isn't a lot when they are looking for experts in the field and I think the original comment also covers the fact he has no contracting experience. If the OP up against a guy with 7+ years experience and 3 contracting for example he is going to find it tough.

Sorry I did mean contracting experience.

[Wils]

7 years isn't a lot when they are looking for experts in the field and I think the original comment also covers the fact he has no contracting experience. If the OP up against a guy with 7+ years experience and 3 contracting for example he is going to find it tough.

I thought the mantra in these forums was the first contract is easy, it's the second and third ones where you start to see problems.

Isn't location the biggest factor here? How hard is it to secure Java jobs in London at the moment?

[northernladuk]

I thought the mantra in these forums was the first contract is easy, it's the second and third ones where you start to see problems.

Isn't location the biggest factor here? How hard is it to secure Java jobs in London at the moment?

Hmm not sure about that. It tends to be easier due to the situation people are in i.e. permie. They have the time wait and can afford to keep looking so appears to be easy. When there is no income or fall back it becomes more urgent.

If you were out on your own, no permie job and are looking for contracts I would definately say the first one is the hardest, both in terms of trying to secure one and also the pressure of you being on the bench financially. You have no experience in a completely different way of working and many experienced guys infront of you. Not sure where you got that one from I am afraid.

[Wils]

Hmm not sure about that. It tends to be easier due to the situation people are in i.e. permie. They have the time wait and can afford to keep looking so appears to be easy. When there is no income or fall back it becomes more urgent.

If you were out on your own, no permie job and are looking for contracts I would definately say the first one is the hardest, both in terms of trying to secure one and also the pressure of you being on the bench financially. You have no experience in a completely different way of working and many experienced guys infront of you. Not sure where you got that one from I am afraid.

I think I read some other poster say that. Teach me to take too much notice of what I read in here

Having worked as a contractor and perm Java dev, I can't say I notice a great difference between the ways of working. Maybe there is in how you look for work. Here where I am now, the only way you could tell who in the team was contracting and who wasn't is by looking at their bank balances.

[northernladuk]

I think I read some other poster say that. Teach me to take too much notice of what I read in here

Having worked as a contractor and perm Java dev, I can't say I notice a great difference between the ways of working. Maybe there is in how you look for work. Here where I am now, the only way you could tell who in the team was contracting and who wasn't is by looking at their bank balances.

Quite possibly but chatting to them I would hope that some see themselves delivering to a client and others see working for their employee. I would also hope the contractors would conduct themselves a little better than employees etc but could start a whole argument about that....

[Software]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the useful replies. I attended my 3rd contract interview in the morning today and in the afternoon my agency confirmed that i am selected for that role in a reputed financial company.

i am very much happy about the rate too, so i am very happy to accept this offer.

Cheers....