CUK's top ten tips for contractors

[northernladuk]

How did I get mentioned here? I ain't said nothing.

[jmo21]

1. Never discuss rates at work. It only leads to trouble one way or another.
2. Be the sort of person that can get on with the cleaners and the CEO/CIO/MD and everyone in between.
3. Work really hard/long hours when you start a contract, because this is what everyone remembers even if you later become a slacker...
4. Try and incorporate the latest technological trends and hot skills in your work, even if they aren't really needed. Learn on the job.
5. In your spare hours at work, when there's not much to do, plan and implement a plan b.
6. Don't trust anyone, permie or contractor. Play your cards close to your chest.
7. If you get canned because of budget cuts or a cancelled project, keep your head and be civil. Often you'll be called back when a new budget is approved.
8. Go on social/drinking nights out. Popular people get renewals. Miserable dullards don't.
9. Don't become an argumentative gobtulipe because you know best. Remember, you are aiming for a lots of renewals and rate increases. No one like a smart arse loud mouth.
10. Don't be scared to sell yourself at renewal time, clients generally don't just hand out rate increases, you need to justify them without sounding like a mercenary.

Great list, and specifically the ones in bold, I know a number of folks that just don't get it.

[oscarose]

1. Never discuss rates at work. It only leads to trouble one way or another.
2. Be the sort of person that can get on with the cleaners and the CEO/CIO/MD and everyone in between.
9. Don't become an argumentative gobtulipe because you know best. Remember, you are aiming for a lots of renewals and rate increases. No one like a smart arse loud mouth.

+3

[NickFitz]

1. Ask your accountant
2. Try using the search function
3. Never trust an agent
4. Get at least three BTL's
5. Never follow MarillionFan when he comes out of Trap 2
6. Don't ask BriloPad how's the family
7. Don't try and be funny in the Professional forums
8. Never visits a Turkish prison
9. Learn how to bleed a radiator
10. Always take a dump on Client time

2a: Give up on it and use the search-with-Google tips instead

[AtW]

[psychocandy]

3. Work really hard/long hours when you start a contract, because this is what everyone remembers even if you later become a slacker...

Ummm no from me for this one. You just end up setting the clients expectations that they can take the piss. You end up the mug spending your life on client site.

[BrilloPad]

How much you spent on drugs this week?

[northernladuk]

Ummm no from me for this one. You just end up setting the clients expectations that they can take the piss. You end up the mug spending your life on client site.

Odd. I tend to do this and every single gig has worked out nicely when I throttle back.

[MarillionFan]

17: Always give up on your dreams.

[WTFH]

I find that toilet roll a bit rough.