Do not jump into contracting now!!!

[BrilloPad]

The Ivor Bigun contracting test...

'Would I have prefered to keep contracting?

- Yes if I was younger and without responsibilities - I've met too many divorced, alcoholic contractors (sad, lonely and broke from the Alimony)

- Yes if the contracts were on my doorstep - they no longer are - not worth the expense if coming home every weekend

- Yes if the rates had kept pace with inflation - They haven't (Used to be 1K a day

- Yes if my skillsets were still rare - They aren't - one word - India

- Yes if my skillsets are in demand by clients - Still needed - for now!
'


I got 3 out of 5, guess that means it's still contracting for me.

Milan.

I got 2 out of 5. But I dont see how rates can keep pace with inflation - not with the government treating us as glorified typists.

[Dow Jones]

Point well made

Turion has definitely got a point, although some of you prefer to rubbish it, mainly that it's all about timing (pretty much like entering the property market) and choosing yourself the best circumstances to do it rather than jumping on the last bandwagon (which is likely to come off the rails at that point). Circumstances differ for each and everyone and we all reach certain times in our lives that are like 'checkpoints' in a project, where decisions have to be made. I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from going into contracting, as long as they have a lot of patience and perseverence. If you are lucky and get a 12m solid contract as a starter, then you're oozing confidence, otherwise you may be on the 'treadmill' all the time and that takes its toll. I've known/seen a lot of guys drifting in and out of permie/cont positions without any thought or plan. My point is that the people that are best equipped to 'weather the storm' in IT are the ones that have been around at least once (2001-2003, also 1991-1993), in the same way (if I can use the property analogy) that the best property investors are the ones that have learnt from mistakes during 1989-1994 (and possibly 1975-1979).