First Timer - Scared Of Contracting

[ChloeRadshaw]

You should advertise You could deter uncertain contractors! Wish I'd found you!

I definitely agree there's a mental mindset to successfully contracting, and that it should be considered carefully (I got into it after some very non-specific temping, didn't even realise it was contracting at first).

But Chloe, hope to hear why you'd like to.

Well I d like to for one reason - Money.

I work hard - 7:30 -> 8PM Mon to thursday in my current role so I want to be rewarded for this.

[SuperZ]

Some of these guys give wise words.
£50k isn`t bad with 6 years of experience. Right now I`d personally stick to perm if I were in your shoooeess

[Sundial]

Oh yes, like any agent in the current climate is going to give a first timer 500 sheets a day! Wise up!

Depends on the attitude, skills & job market though, surely?! I used to work with people who didn't do much more than me but were on £300 a day more.

They were much more experienced about negotiating etc but I should imagine if a very firm but new to contracting person came in they should be able to negotiate a good rate? Or if it were more specialised skills? *sits back and waits to hear why not*

[Sundial]

Chloe, please join in!!

[ChloeRadshaw]

Chloe, please join in!!

I am trying to - My posts need to get moderated.

[NotAllThere]

500 quid a day for a first time contractor? I dont think so, Chloe.

Depends on the sector. E.g. http://www.jobserve.com/W7F3ECBF97AD38132.jsjob

And the idea that first timers always get lower rates comes from agency practice at driving their margin up. The client pays the same.

However, coupled with this

I have only ever worked perm and generally speaking been good at it - Never sick , always arrive early and stay very late and generally focus on what needs to be done.

I'm rather skeptical also. If it is genuine, then it seems to be a world away from contractor attitude. We don't work for no money. We impress with getting the job done, not presenteeism.

[BrilloPad]

Ok - I have six years experience in IT development and a solid degree. I have only ever worked perm and generally speaking been good at it - Never sick , always arrive early and stay very late and generally focus on what needs to be done.

I have been offered a contract role at 500 per day (and given that my salary iat the moment is £50k) you can tell I am quite excited. Its a one year contract.

Why would I not take it? Is it SAFER to e a permie? I have seen these people let go but contractors tend to get chopped right at the beginning - Right?

Can anyone please give me guidance - I am really only concerned of getting the role and then getting sacked five months in.

In this environment this would be devastating as going back to perm after contracting is impossible??

Any ideas?

I would take it : but save as much money as possible. Job market is bad but should start getting better next year : so if you dont get terminated you should be fine.

Best of luck and let us know how it works out.

[moony1234]

1 year contract @ £500/day? Go for it but save save save!!

[threaded]

There are many ways this could be on the up but still a scam.

A company might want to dump someone but not pay redundancy / avoid a legal battle. Why not get an agent to lure them away on the promise of a well paying gig elsewhere, and then it's like, whoops, the client canned the project.

Maybe there is a real job, but it's only a months work. No one will bite. So why not offer a years contract but terminate early.

Anyway, who actually offers full year contracts to first timers.

[jmo21]

I suppose it could be an old boss or co-worker that has offered Chloe the opportunity, or as others have said, she is working in a niche sector.

1 year @ 500 a day does sound a bit too good to be true at the moment

Tyke has wise words, and 50k permy in this climate is pretty good for your experience