Contacting Newbie

[Toasta]

It's not all roses... it was only 3 - 4 years since the last downturn and many contractors were on the bench for quite some time.
In 13 years of contracting it was the 1st time my phone wasnt ringing, agents did not return calls & I was actually out of the market for 4 months! a very scary time...

You have to tke this into account when making the jump.. there are no certainties

Yep, i've taken that into account, in that I should always have these scenarios in the back of my mind when managing my monitary affairs.

Funnily enough this down turn occured at the exact time I came out of university, took me 6 months to get a grad position, so I can appreciate the seriousness.

[Toasta]

Too many variables to say how soon you will get a contract - answer is between 30 minutes and forever. Skillset, location, companies you have worked for, availability and interview ability (starts with the first agent call). What you CAN do easily is test the market - get on the job boards, choose jobs that are a good match, claim availability (this can be key to ANY call back from an agent, and there are a hundred ways to become available once you have secured the contract), tailor your CV for the role, make sure you are amongst the first to apply (after 3 days, maybe after 3 hours, agent has all the people he needs and won't bother reading the hundreds of others coming in). IF you are considered a good match for the contract (there may still be reluctance if you are still permie because some of them 'test the water' then bottle it later leaving the agent looking a tw*t), they will contact you and you are in the game. Lots of job ads don't have a rate but enough do to determine an approximate rate (depends on location also,or someone here can advise) so you should know if they are well outside this (fair chance you will get turned over on the first contract but you aren't in a strong position unless you have a choice of 2.
Good luck.

This is good advice, thankyou.

Is being a permie making the switch a known deterrant for potential clients, If this is the case I can always just fudge my cv, im on great terms with my current employer and Im sure he would have no problems backing this up if it would help.

[The Lone Gunman]

This is good advice, thankyou.

Is being a permie making the switch a known deterrant for potential clients, If this is the case I can always just fudge my cv, im on great terms with my current employer and Im sure he would have no problems backing this up if it would help.

Only reason it would be a problem would be if you had a long notice period, and even then if you are the right man for the job.......
Some companies may worry that you would cut and run if it turns out you dont like contracting so you may have to dance a bit at interview.

[weemster]

Best Of Luck

Toasta

Been contracting for 3 Years now and although its been very hard work - its been much more rewarding than permy. I am now in the position where I am working directly with the client (no agencies) - funnily enough I got the contract through a recommendation from somebody in my last permy role. If you've got half a brain then you should have no problem and the financial pressures will ease quickly. Happy to give any advice if reqd and the best of luck (something you will need a little bit of).

[Toasta]

Toasta

Been contracting for 3 Years now and although its been very hard work - its been much more rewarding than permy. I am now in the position where I am working directly with the client (no agencies) - funnily enough I got the contract through a recommendation from somebody in my last permy role. If you've got half a brain then you should have no problem and the financial pressures will ease quickly. Happy to give any advice if reqd and the best of luck (something you will need a little bit of).

Thanks mate,

I'm also interested to learn what percentage of any given year most people are working, the ability to work a contract then maybe travel for a month or two between contracts is appealing to me, as I am not originally from the UK.

How is extended time on the bench viewed by clients and recruiting agents?

Cheers.

[Cowboy Bob]

Thanks mate,

I'm also interested to learn what percentage of any given year most people are working, the ability to work a contract then maybe travel for a month or two between contracts is appealing to me, as I am not originally from the UK.

How is extended time on the bench viewed by clients and recruiting agents?

Cheers.

I have often had the odd month or two on the bench in-between contracts on a voluntary basis. It doesn't affect anything. Just tell them you spent 2 months in South America and they suddenly become very impressed

[weemster]

Time on the Bench

A few months off is not an issue - the main thing is to be able to do the job and fit in if required.

[Torran]

Thanks mate,

I'm also interested to learn what percentage of any given year most people are working, the ability to work a contract then maybe travel for a month or two between contracts is appealing to me, as I am not originally from the UK.

How is extended time on the bench viewed by clients and recruiting agents?

Cheers.

I have yet to meet anyone who has managed this. I have less time off than when I was a permy. I think I've had 5 days of plus 3 sick days this year. I am taking a month off in October but I know I have a renewal to come back to.

I find if I take time off I'm always thinking "theres £££ down the drain".

[Toasta]

I have yet to meet anyone who has managed this. I have less time off than when I was a permy. I think I've had 5 days of plus 3 sick days this year. I am taking a month off in October but I know I have a renewal to come back to.

I find if I take time off I'm always thinking "theres £££ down the drain".

Yeah i've thought of it from that angle, but I came up with the fact that im still relatively young (25), no debts no ties, and I still have alot of the world to see, maybe the contracting lifestyle will allow me to do this.

I have the rest of my life to earn big ££.

[weemster]

Thats the tough bit !!

Torran is right - the hard part is being able to take the time off without a sense of guilt - Make hay whilst............and all that.