tips on going contracting

[malvolio]

Also be very clear in your head about what a major change you are facing. You will be out of work for a period, you will have to stand by yourself and be totally accountable for both work and finances, you will have no training, career progression or employment protection. Or holiday pay, sick pay or bank holidays.

Not saying don't do it, but it is a step change: you will be horrified at how much you don't know.

Incidentally, standard advice from me is to read the Guide to Freelancing on the PCG's website, and joining them as a Plus member is a no brainer.

[Project Monkey]

Don't go contracting!

(The Others will be along to depress you even more in a moment...)

chuckle...very good.

[manubbo]

Well - so far I've been in touch with a few recruiters, very few positions opened for contracts, lots of them wanted to propose me permie jobs and lots on jobs on JobServe are obviously fake. And - of course - still guys try to call me and get references for other people I worked with...

it's going to be tough but it's not impossible. At the end of the day, I just actively started applying today

[kaiser78]

Well - so far I've been in touch with a few recruiters, very few positions opened for contracts, lots of them wanted to propose me permie jobs and lots on jobs on JobServe are obviously fake. And - of course - still guys try to call me and get references for other people I worked with...

it's going to be tough but it's not impossible. At the end of the day, I just actively started applying today

How do you know ? Don't jump to conclusions - just keep applying. If you don't you may miss out on that killer contract...Best of luck.

[manubbo]

How do you know ? Don't jump to conclusions - just keep applying. If you don't you may miss out on that killer contract...Best of luck.

Yeah - still searching. But it's so weird when you apply for a contract role, they call you saying that "they received your CV and they want to give you the roles they have", but also that "we have no contract roles at the moment"...

Got a call this morning though, plus I am waiting for an interview with a customer for an agency an ex colleague of mine recommended. Fingers crossed!

[nomadd]

Yeah - still searching. But it's so weird when you apply for a contract role, they call you saying that "they received your CV and they want to give you the roles they have", but also that "we have no contract roles at the moment"...

Got a call this morning though, plus I am waiting for an interview with a customer for an agency an ex colleague of mine recommended. Fingers crossed!

You were right the first time when you said, "and lots on jobs on JobServe are obviously fake."

As a seasoned (probably over-seasoned) contractor, I'd estimate 50% of what I see on Jobserve is nothing more than generic c.v.-gathering fodder.

Anyway, fingers crossed with the two leads you are pursuing.

[Sausage Surprise]

Yeah - still searching. But it's so weird when you apply for a contract role, they call you saying that "they received your CV and they want to give you the roles they have", but also that "we have no contract roles at the moment"...

Got a call this morning though, plus I am waiting for an interview with a customer for an agency an ex colleague of mine recommended. Fingers crossed!

Interview with agency or customer?? If agency I wouldn't bother.

[manubbo]

Interview with agency or customer?? If agency I wouldn't bother.

No - that's the customer itself. I wouldn't be bothered of the agency either anyway, getting some contacts so things start to be moving. Thank you all guys for the tips!

[manubbo]

so - I've had my CV forwarded for 3 roles - they gave me Job Description and company name (plus one I'm still waiting the interview at the customer, it's for a consultancy company). Did also one short online tech test for one of the roles.

Do you think it's worth chasing up recruiters/agencies to know the status or it's just better to wait? My notice period will be extended from a week (although I'm saying I can start in 2 weeks time to companies) to a month at the end of July - I'd definitely like to get a contract before that day... (still having a week off beginning of july and a week off mid-august)

Seems the market is not great, but from what I've been told I thought it was worse... still seeing the light at the end of the tunnel

[Ifank]

Do you think it's worth chasing up recruiters/agencies to know the status or it's just better to wait?

I would say that it's good practice to chase up the agencies. If nothing else it will remind them that you exist so they will keep you in mind when other jobs come up.