Contacting Newbie

**dork** · 24 August 2006, 13:01

3.5 years experience... depends on what you have been doing really. I think the real difference is the type of organisation(s) you have been working for and the people you have worked with.

As for an MCSD... useful for a broad training but not much called for in the job market. However, as a first time contractor it might give you the edge.

At this time of year when the market is relatively quiet I'd allow for 4 weeks off. It might only take a few days in reality tho....

As for rates.. well, start at a high rate and drop it as you get more desperate! Apply for contracts and speak to the pimps.. pump them for information and get their idea of the rates you should be asking for. Ask them how they feel the market is going.. just get as much out of them, squeeze 'em dry.

**Toasta** · 24 August 2006, 13:05

Thanks for the insight,

Is the four weeks you estimated a worse case scenario? If so then thats fine, I am in a position where I can sit on the bench for a month. Its the stories i've read here of people being out for 6-12 months, is this a possability or are these people taking the piss a bit and not trying real hard?

**Ardesco** · 24 August 2006, 13:12

All depends on your skill set, how you interview, what sort of rates you are willing to take and how sought after your skill set is.

I'm a tester myself and haven't really had any problems getting contracts, however that is no guarantee that you will have no problems. Best thing to do is research, if there are 2000 jobs a day being put up on jobserve that exactly match your skill set chances are you'll have no problems. If there are only 2 jobs a week popping up that match your skill set don't bother.

**Cowboy Bob** · 24 August 2006, 13:22

Originally posted by Toasta

Or will the agent still put me forward at the market rate and pocket what I dont get?

You learn quickly. You'll go far...

**Toasta** · 24 August 2006, 13:42

Originally posted by Ardesco

All depends on your skill set, how you interview, what sort of rates you are willing to take and how sought after your skill set is.

I'm a tester myself and haven't really had any problems getting contracts, however that is no guarantee that you will have no problems. Best thing to do is research, if there are 2000 jobs a day being put up on jobserve that exactly match your skill set chances are you'll have no problems. If there are only 2 jobs a week popping up that match your skill set don't bother.

From what i've learned from the research i've conducted I think I will be asking for £35 an hour, there does seem to be plenty of c# contracts around.

Does anyone have any advice regarding umbrella companies, who to use, who to avoid etc...

**Cowboy Bob** · 24 August 2006, 13:55

Originally posted by Toasta

From what i've learned from the research i've conducted I think I will be asking for £35 an hour, there does seem to be plenty of c# contracts around.

Does anyone have any advice regarding umbrella companies, who to use, who to avoid etc...

Can't give advice on who to use - I've never used one. I can however recommend one to avoid at all costs based on what gets reported here about them - and that's Prosperity 4

**Toasta** · 24 August 2006, 14:00

Originally posted by Cowboy Bob

Can't give advice on who to use - I've never used one. I can however recommend one to avoid at all costs based on what gets reported here about them - and that's Prosperity 4

Noted...cheers.

**lukemg** · 24 August 2006, 14:03

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.

**Troll** · 24 August 2006, 14:28

Originally posted by Toasta

Thanks for the insight,

Is the four weeks you estimated a worse case scenario? If so then thats fine, I am in a position where I can sit on the bench for a month. Its the stories i've read here of people being out for 6-12 months, is this a possability or are these people taking the piss a bit and not trying real hard?

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

Contacting Newbie