Starting Contracting... Now?

[alreadypacked]

Okay so my plan is to put my name out their with Agencies directly to see if they want me even with a months notice. It has to be worth trying and I already have an interview to see if I'm suitable when they get work in.

I do not think I'll go for it quite yet but that depends largely on my interview and if they think they can give me regular work for 3-6 months.

If it all goes wrong I guess I'll just have to start sleeping on the streets and become a hobo ;-) Or of course there may still be some permanent roles out there should things go wrong.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Andy.

Good luck, but you really have to be prepared for things to go very wrong. Have you any experience working for a large consultancy? I found that the nearest experience to working as a contractor.

Waiting around for a role.
Arriving on client site for a very urgent project, no login or access to network.
Client complaining you have not completed tasks (still no login)
Arriving on client site to integrate a Unix application to a windows environment.
How do you handle yourself at meetings, can you raise the right issues, stand your ground.

If you don’t have consulting experience, try it, see if it’s for you. Also it will help your CV.

My name alreadypacked came from my time in consultancy, my manager would ring me from an airport somewhere telling me which country I was supposed to be in. My answer was always “Don’t worry I am already packed”

Sounds nice spend the weekend sitting by the pool in at some 5* hotel somewhere, but not if you would rather be at your best mates birthday.

When you get back and have to fight to get your expenses’ back etc.

Try it first, see if you can handle it.

Contractors are usually brought in on crap projects, are you prepared to spend every day up to your eyeballs in crap?

[DS23]

get a contract in holland then you can spend every day up to your eyeballs in tulip.

[Zippy]

He'll probably go for it so can we open a beer now?

[alreadypacked]

He'll probably go for it so can we open a beer now?

Should we really start a party when the host is not here

Never stopped us before

Beer for me too please

[Zippy]

Should we really start a party when the host is not here

Never stopped us before

Beer for me too please

<pssssstttttt> There you go.

Twiglet?

[alreadypacked]

<pssssstttttt> There you go.

Twiglet?

Too hungry for Twiglets, lets order some pizza. what toppings will I get?

[Zippy]

Too hungry for Twiglets, lets order some pizza. what toppings will I get?

Bit of cheese with extra jalapeno please.

What does his DVD collection look like? Was a bit pervy at the last party.

I'll pop to the off licence.

[apipo]

Update

So I went for the interview and it went very well. They seem like a great place to work and I think my skills would be great for their team. I think it's really not that hard for me to get jobs :-/ I'm still scared of contracting though... but I generally like dropping myself into situations where I sink or swim as it brings the best out of me.

It seems that they are encouraging me to go permanent with them and basically said they would try to get me a permie job there ASAP.

To chris79:

1. Background of feeling discontent in a permie job.

Meh.

2. Selling yourself as the 'ideal' personality for contracting.

Meh.

3. Oblivious to the current market conditions.

Meh.

4. No backup/savings, but a cover story for why this should be ignored.

Meh.

5. A distraction statement to ensure nobody suggests researching the situation.

Er, why did I post to this forum? Seems like a great place to do research, no?

6. Encouraging a discussion about the current economic climate.

Because its relevant, fool.

But apart from that you are right, I am a sock puppet :-) You got me!

[The Lone Gunman]

It seems that they are encouraging me to go permanent with them and basically said they would try to get me a permie job there ASAP.

Be careful of this. They want a permie. They may take you on as contract, but once you sart the contract may evaporate and they will say you can only stay if you accept a permie position.

[Zippy]

Good on you apipo. Have a beer <psssstttt>