Advice, moving from permanent to contract

[blakeyuk]

Hi,

I've just started contracting last week. It took me 3 months to get the job (ironically, it was the second place I send my CV into, through a personal contact - the hiring manager - and that's how long it took). But I'd approached my permie manager, told them what I was doing, asked for a 2 week notice period as I knew 4 weeks would mean a much longer hunt for a job, and they agreed. In the end, I did actually give 4 weeks, as the notice period fell over my already-planned holiday, so I pushed back to the new client and they agreed to 4 weeks (probably because it had already taken them 2 months at that point to make the offer).

It's a 6 month contract, which gets me over Xmas if it goes all the way, and likely to extend based on volume of work etc.

So my point is - try to get a shorter notice period; be prepared to wait.

Andy

[slogger]

go for it but research first

also definitely get yourself a buffer - would recommend 6 months living expenses in this market.
when i went from permy to contracting many moons ago I basically applied for 10 contracts - felt if I didnt get any offers then to stay where I was until I got better or learnt a more marketable skill - fortunately (lucky!) I got offered all 10 - however this was in the 90's when the market was a lot better - now I'd be happy if could see 10 suitable contracts being advertised in a day .. I'm finding now though that the gap between permy and contract is minimal - not worth it from a financial perspective, but definitely from a lifestyle perspective!

[quackhandle]

Either you contracting do "yes" or contracting do "no." You contracting do "guess so..."

Squish!




qh miyagi