First Contracting Job - Please Advise!

[techwhizz]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and have found some of the posts very helpful. I'm considering going into contracting but just wanted to know my prospects for receiving a fairly decent contract rate.

I currently work for the MOD and have 2 years experience there, 1 year previous experience at an international forbes 100 company (im 24). Im a projects technical specialist so have also been involved in project management. I hold a 1st class honours degree and am certified in Citrix, Microsoft, VMWare and soon to hopefully achieve CCNA, so I hold a varied skillset.

Due to being young, I am single and have no ties, such as mortgage or family, so if I would stand a good chance at receiving a contracting role I would be in a good position to do so as I can travel or relocate anywhere.

I'd like any guidance that you could offer really, what do you think my chances of getting a contract would be and at what daily rate? I do understand that initially I may have to receive a lower rate for my first contract.

Many thanks in advance.

[eek]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and have found some of the posts very helpful. I'm considering going into contracting but just wanted to know my prospects for receiving a fairly decent contract rate.

I currently work for the MOD and have 2 years experience there, 1 year previous experience at an international forbes 100 company (im 24). Im a projects technical specialist so have also been involved in project management. I hold a 1st class honours degree and am certified in Citrix, Microsoft, VMWare and soon to hopefully achieve CCNA, so I hold a varied skillset.

Due to being young, I am single and have no ties, such as mortgage or family, so if I would stand a good chance at receiving a contracting role I would be in a good position to do so as I can travel or relocate anywhere.

I'd like any guidance that you could offer really, what do you think my chances of getting a contract would be and at what daily rate? I do understand that initially I may have to receive a lower rate for my first contract.

Many thanks in advance.

3 years experience in project management just won't be enough for something not incredibly junior.

Go and find another permie job and come back in a few years....

[techwhizz]

I'm not wanting to contract in project management, I was merely stating I had some experience in it. I will be looking for technical engineer type roles. I forgot to mention I also hold DV Clearance if that makes any difference to my position.

[GazCol]

I'm not wanting to contract in project management, I was merely stating I had some experience in it. I will be looking for technical engineer type roles. I forgot to mention I also hold DV Clearance if that makes any difference to my position.

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You need more experience to be able to guarantee getting your foot in the door for your first contract, nothing to stop you applying for contracting roles, but don't think the drivers for employment on a contract basis are the same as employment, i.e. low day rate expectations won't appeal to a client co.

[psychocandy]

I'm not wanting to contract in project management, I was merely stating I had some experience in it. I will be looking for technical engineer type roles. I forgot to mention I also hold DV Clearance if that makes any difference to my position.

DV clearance = VERY good to have for contract roles.

Even crap desktop support roles that command £150/day you see for double that with DV.

One thing - make sure new role is DV too or after a year not working in DV role its gone to all intents and purposes.

[techwhizz]

Thanks for the advice psychocandy, for my first role and considering I have no financial commitments, I would be ok with taking a role as low as £220+ just to get contracting experience on my CV. Do you believe I stand a decent enough chance of getting a contract with the experience and skillset I stated in my original post? Thanks in advance.

[MyUserName]

Thanks for the advice psychocandy, for my first role and considering I have no financial commitments, I would be ok with taking a role as low as £220+ just to get contracting experience on my CV. Do you believe I stand a decent enough chance of getting a contract with the experience and skillset I stated in my original post? Thanks in advance.

Unlikely TBH although, obviously, it is possible

There is stacks of competition from experienced contractors who have all that you do and more.

[TheFaQQer]

DV clearance = VERY good to have for contract roles.

Even crap desktop support roles that command £150/day you see for double that with DV.

One thing - make sure new role is DV too or after a year not working in DV role its gone to all intents and purposes.

I thought DV ended when you walk out the door, SC you can retain for a bit longer.

Given the speed that clearances are going through these days, is there really still a premium on being able to be cleared?

[TheFaQQer]

Thanks for the advice psychocandy, for my first role and considering I have no financial commitments, I would be ok with taking a role as low as £220+ just to get contracting experience on my CV. Do you believe I stand a decent enough chance of getting a contract with the experience and skillset I stated in my original post? Thanks in advance.

If you take a low rate (assuming you get one at all), then you'll be in a lower-skilled role. Having oodles of experience in low-paying, poorly-skilled roles doesn't seem like a good path to contracting, if you expect more.

You'd be better off getting a different permie role which you can then use to get onto the contracting ladder higher than you stand a chance at the moment.

[techwhizz]

I thought DV ended when you walk out the door, SC you can retain for a bit longer.

Given the speed that clearances are going through these days, is there really still a premium on being able to be cleared?

No, DV stays with you and isn't the easiest of things to get, the whole process takes around 6 months.