Do I quit my job

[d000hg]

I guess you could apply for a few things and see if you actually get interviews rather than just emails for roles (which we all get and are automated in many cases). You could even go to interviews and see if you're offered the role - you can always bow out - though this is playing a bit close to the line of professionalism in my book.

[perplexed]

Reading the op, my irrelevant thoughts are as follows.

1) What is your motivating for possibly going contracting? You cite you enjoy your permie role but are underpaid. Would you be willing to remain permie if the money was better? Do you want to contract for more money? For more exposure to different environments utilising different skillsets?

2) Are you confident enough to lead a contracting life? You're asking if you should quit being a permie before/after getting a contract... have you researched contracting prior to looking for contract roles?

I may be mis-reading things but it seems as if you're wanting to be led down a particular path. If you've any doubts about contracting it's imo best not to go in half hearted.

[TheFaQQer]

I guess you could apply for a few things and see if you actually get interviews rather than just emails for roles (which we all get and are automated in many cases). You could even go to interviews and see if you're offered the role - you can always bow out - though this is playing a bit close to the line of professionalism in my book.

The OP has already had a contract offer, but it fell through because of the notice period to leave permanent employment. He didn't give notice at the time that the offer was there, though.

[lukemg]

Some good advice on here, reality is a big proportion fall into contracting after a job ends, this gives you nothing to lose which makes it a lot easier.
If you have some relevant skills (that will stay relevant for a long time), want to do the same job over and over, like living away from home, can persuade people to hire you and be self-reliant and flexible then you have a very good chance and the market for lots of stuff is pretty good at the moment.
Most people who take the leap seem to get on fine and never look back but there are no guarantees.
Good luck...

[kal]

Sometimes you've just got to go for it. I was on a 3 month notice period and knew my employer would hold me to it so I just handed in my notice. Started looking 2 weeks before my last day and landed a contact to start the Monday after I left. Never looked back since (the words of one of our greatest modern day philosophers comes to mind 'He who dares wins Rodney!' )

[vwdan]

I had this battle at the end of last year - I wanted to go contracting, but I wanted to do it safely. I had a 4 week notice and I realised I could be waiting forever for "that" contract to happen, so in the end I decided to hand in an extended notice (I got on very well with the MD and I wanted a firm plan), finished up a project and simply left. As it happens, I was able to land a contract 2 weeks before I left which started the Monday after my last Friday.

Although that was only the start of March, it feels like a long way off now and I've not questioned my decision for a second. I absolutely love my work, the variety, the people I've been working with and the projects I've got involved in. The money side fluctuates a little - the first few months let me near enough clear my debt, but I'm working in London now so things have become a bit tighter.

I'm not saying you should do it, because it can go wrong. My first contract was only 6 weeks and it finished early (Because I'm brilliant) - I only had a week on the bench (Which wasn't really on the bench, because I signed my contract on the Tuesday for a Monday start) but the week before that started to get stressful because I didn't seem to be getting any bites.

Like everything, though - there are a million variables. I had good work experience and I went through the full top tier exam track for my technology at the start of the year to get it on paper - I also had a house deposit in the bank which we agreed could be there for emergencies. My advice is plan plan plan and then plan some more - I spent an ungodly amount of hours reading this forum, reading the SJD (and others) contractor guides, reading articles etc etc. I spent a lot of time with spreadsheets calculating worst case (within reason), good and best case scenarios before deciding if the jump was worthwhile.

[texto]

Sometimes you've just got to go for it. I was on a 3 month notice period and knew my employer would hold me to it so I just handed in my notice. Started looking 2 weeks before my last day and landed a contact to start the Monday after I left. Never looked back since (the words of one of our greatest modern day philosophers comes to mind 'He who dares wins Rodney!' )

This.

Fortune favours the brave. But you don't need to wait 2 weeks before the last day. You could start looking a month before and just say you can negotiate an early release. It works out fine.

I can understand OPs dilemma. The safety of a perm job and a leap into the unknown. I know that feeling. But if you are confident, your CV is good and the skills are in demand - there is no looking back. If it does not work out then there is always another perm job.

[d000hg]

The OP has already had a contract offer, but it fell through because of the notice period to leave permanent employment. He didn't give notice at the time that the offer was there, though.

Sorry I missed that, but I think trying again is still worthwhile - not to even take those contracts but to have more confidence you can get a contract once you're unemployed.

[Unix]

When I left my permie job to go contracting I was on 4 weeks notice. However I said to agent I could probably get it down to 2 weeks (but not 100% sure). Then once I had been offered I went to permie directors of permie co (small startup) and told them I was going contracting but they wanted me to start in 2 weeks. Luckily the directors where both contractors before they started the company so although they were annoyed they let me go.

Failing that just walk or phone in sick for 2 weeks.

[Eirikur]

I waited until a re-organisation came up, as it was 2008 this was bound to happen rather sooner than later. Once I knew 2 people in my department were to be made redundant I volunteered. So I received a nice bag of redundancy money, got JSA for the time being and within 6 weeks I landed my first contract.