My New Contract : The feelings

[Maduh]

Hi Fellow contractors,

My first Post here ............

So i have been contracting for about 2 years now im 26 (Started with Service desk, Desktop support etc) - Recently got a contract as a 3rd Line project support (Good money + £110 of what i was recieving as a Desktop support and Good Tittle aswell)

But the problem now is, i dont do Jack there. No work at all . Idle 70% of the time . so i Youtube, technet,ebooks,sports etc. But im getting tired of this. What should i do?

[monkfish]

OK, I'll bite.

You suggest you are "3rd line". I would therefore expect you to have an intimate understanding of your area of responsibilty. This would extend to the clients implementation of whatever it is you're supporting.

By that nature it would mean proactive work - not just sat there until somebody comes and asks you or a "fault" appears in your "queue".

Are they applying best practices? Are they working in line with whatever rules/regs they have to follow? Is there some process being actioned you could improve upon, alter, change for the better. Are there any people around eg first line who could use some guidance/benefit of your many years experience? There are a load of possibilties and it doesnt take a genuis to consider them.

It does, however, take somebody with responsibilty and maturity to consider the above angles instead of slacking it on the internet all day.

Every environment has its peaks and troughs but I simply cannot believe your client is knowingly paying for a resource to act in the way you describe.

You ask "what should I do" - what answer do you want? Do you want to be told "go and look for another contract" or do you want to stay there and think about the above.

Either way before too long if Youtube is the biggest attraction in your day then your client may well make the decision for you. Its a hard bench as well - hope you've got a good warchest.

Finally - if you do want out why not give ContractorClub first dibs on somebody filling your shoes. You know it makes sense.

[TestMangler]

Spend time thanking 'whoever one thanks in those circumstances' for the massive skills shortage in the UK that has given you this gilt edged opportunity to whine about getting money for nothing.

[NDawg]

As someone that works 2nd line, I call bulltulip. The 3rd line guys I've worked with at ANY contract are always busy, be it researching new ways to get best use out of the infrastructure we have, dealing with stuff 2nd line can't fix or don't have rights for, teaching 2nd line stuff that they're curious about or just generally liaising with project managers for new changes/implementation/RFC things.

There is ALWAYS something for 3rd line to do.

If you aren't doing anything, you aren't working, and if you aren't working, your client will figure this out soon and can your ass.

Please call me when he does. I'll happily take that 110 a day rise in rate.

[kingcook]

Hi Fellow contractors,

My first Post here ............

So i have been contracting for about 2 years now im 26 (Started with Service desk, Desktop support etc) - Recently got a contract as a 3rd Line project support (Good money + £110 of what i was recieving as a Desktop support and Good Tittle aswell)

But the problem now is, i dont do Jack there. No work at all . Idle 70% of the time . so i Youtube, technet,ebooks,sports etc. But im getting tired of this. What should i do?

2 options:

1) Continue as you are, charging 100% of your rate, for 30% of your time.

2) Terminate the contract, charging 0% of your rate, for 0% of your time.

[nomadd]

Hi Fellow contractors,

My first Post here ............

So i have been contracting for about 2 years now im 26 (Started with Service desk, Desktop support etc) - Recently got a contract as a 3rd Line project support (Good money + £110 of what i was recieving as a Desktop support and Good Tittle aswell)

But the problem now is, i dont do Jack there. No work at all . Idle 70% of the time . so i Youtube, technet,ebooks,sports etc. But im getting tired of this. What should i do?

I'd suggest: Youtube, technet,ebooks,sports etc.

And keep invoicing.

[Sausage Surprise]

I used to swot up for exams when things were "quiet".

[rurffy]

OK, I'll bite.

You suggest you are "3rd line". I would therefore expect you to have an intimate understanding of your area of responsibilty. This would extend to the clients implementation of whatever it is you're supporting.

By that nature it would mean proactive work - not just sat there until somebody comes and asks you or a "fault" appears in your "queue".

Are they applying best practices? Are they working in line with whatever rules/regs they have to follow? Is there some process being actioned you could improve upon, alter, change for the better. Are there any people around eg first line who could use some guidance/benefit of your many years experience? There are a load of possibilties and it doesnt take a genuis to consider them.

It does, however, take somebody with responsibilty and maturity to consider the above angles instead of slacking it on the internet all day.

Every environment has its peaks and troughs but I simply cannot believe your client is knowingly paying for a resource to act in the way you describe.

You ask "what should I do" - what answer do you want? Do you want to be told "go and look for another contract" or do you want to stay there and think about the above.

Either way before too long if Youtube is the biggest attraction in your day then your client may well make the decision for you. Its a hard bench as well - hope you've got a good warchest.

Finally - if you do want out why not give ContractorClub first dibs on somebody filling your shoes. You know it makes sense.

Detailed comment! lol - I wonder what the OP would be thinking now hahaha! No wonder he hasnt replied.

[Maduh]

Thanks for the comment ,

I have heard all what you guys have said . But some are missing the point - I am here (my new job) as a 3rd line PROJECT support (Contract) - Supporting Vmware ESXI virtualisng Physical servers P2V and issues that may arise. We are still in the planing phase so no much work(Since thats my main duty there) aside that nothing else to do.
Am i just looking for extra work load? or is it normal with project engineers?

I havent done project support contract before..

[jimjamuk]

If its project based then there are always lulls and peaks in workload. I'd get a hands on whats going to be coming your way at 100mph in a few weeks and do some studying / hands on just so you know what you are doing and even have some value add when its your turn to deliver.

what you dont want to be doing is surfing the net all day and then when someone asks you to build something start asking questions