IT Contracting Market in Manchester

**BigRed** · 24 June 2013, 23:01

1. My first contract took 3 months to arrive, either unlucky or because I had no contract history.
2. Currently in a long term contract with 4 weeks notice. I get lots of calls from pimps who just switch off once I say I have a 4 week notice period. This may differ dependent on field but certainly true in mine.
3. I live mid way between Sheffield and Manchester, very rarely see contracts for either, Manchester is worse than Sheffield, again may depend on field.

If you are in a permanent position there is nothing to lose looking for a contract, if you see an SQL Server Production DBA position, don't waste your time, I've got the experience to beat you and I don't want the market to look as if there are options to the clients

**PeterContractor** · 25 June 2013, 06:36

IT Contracting Market in Manchester

Thanks for the reply. I am not necessarily looking for DBA positions lol. Mainly I am just interested in a change having worked in the same place for 7 years. I specialize mainly in Microsoft Business Intelligence stack (SSIS, SSAS, SSRS) and SQL.
I have noticed there a few more contracting positions in that area in Sheffield. I have seen a few contracting positions arise in Manchester. How much cash did you have behind you before contracting. Was your first contract longer than 3 months?

**rurffy** · 25 June 2013, 07:48

It could be really frustrating working for one gig for up to 7 years. lol thats long - (But if you are growing in that gig then why not ) -Are you now a team lead, manager? or Director? -If not then why are you still there?

Ok - it is always hard moving from perm to contracting , because of this stupid 4 weeks notice
(Gigs dont wnt to wait 4 weeks to get you onboard).

If you are ready to relocate, travel then you find good contracts with nice rates in London as SQL/BI Developer. or else you find 4 to 5 jobs a week within Manchester/Sheffield. (You could research through jobserve)..

I used to live in sheffield, neva had any job above £18/hr haa! - I had to run away lol (I might be unlucky though)

**northernladuk** · 25 June 2013, 07:58

What contract market in Manchester?

Chance a client will hold a gig open for 4 weeks, pretty slim.
Chance a newbie can get a gig where a client will hold a gig open for 4 weeks rather than take a contractor with years of experience that can start immediately, nil.

It is going to be extremely hard and frustrating to try dove tail a gig with a notice period from perm. If you are going to go contracting you need to make sure you have a big warchest, 3-6 months at least, pack your job in and then start looking. You are also going to have to be flexible and look at a 1 to 2 hour commute if you intend on doing it properly. Working away during the week may even be something you have to do if you want to be in end to end gigs. You can't just walk out of a perm job in to a contracting career on your doorstep I am afraid.

**kevpuk** · 25 June 2013, 08:03

I was still in premie~dom whilst looking for my first contract. Also had a 4 week notice period, which many pimps were not too happy about.....but then the first gig I got were happy to wait for 4 weeks.
So, it is possible, but your mileage may vary....

**BoredBloke** · 25 June 2013, 08:15

There is no contract market in Manchester. Manchester is a contracting widlerness. The only work I ever see for me, based in Rochdale, are a few roles that crop up in Halifax and some government stuff in Leeds. The last commutable role I had ended in 2009, based in Leeds. Half of the team I was in were contractors based in and around Manchester, yet we all trecked over to Leeds each day because there was sod all work around for us. Things will only get worse as Astra Zeneca up sticks and bugger off. If you are looking to go contracting and live in Manchester, expect long commutes and extended periods working away from home.

**stek** · 25 June 2013, 08:42

Think the only contractor friendly places in M/cr area are Coop Bank in City Centre, Barcrap in Cheshire, and Lloyd's in Wythenshawe.

**TheFaQQer** · 25 June 2013, 08:45

Apart from this gig (WFH), previous gig (WFH) and half of a four week gig, I've never found anything near home in the north-west.

I know plenty of people who have only worked in the north-west.

It's about timing, though - the local ones tend to turn up when I'm in the middle of a contract in London. The London ones turn up when I'm looking for local work.

My first gig waited for my notice period, and I then negotiated a shorter notice period with my employer - two weeks instead of four. That wasn't near home, in a more buoyant market, with niche skills, and they needed me. I'd been looking for a few months before that one turned up, though.

**BoredBloke** · 25 June 2013, 08:45

Originally posted by stek View Post

Think the only contractor friendly places in M/cr area are Coop Bank in City Centre, Barcrap in Cheshire, and Lloyd's in Wythenshawe.

I thought BarCap were winding down that place in Cheshire

IT Contracting Market in Manchester