How do you earn your Contractors Badge?

[jmo21]

looking forward to that, 6 months studio time - bring on the bench!

Ooohh, how exciting, what kind of studio? TV, recoding, photography? tell us more!

[northernladuk]

When I learned how a contractor should deliver, left permie head behind, learned the basics (and a little bit more) about my finances and how to run a company properly. Understood my responsibilities and that kind of thing.

Took me a good year and a bit with a couple of contracts under my belt.

Getting one extension does not make a contractor.

As 2BIT says. Getting your next role is more important. An extension is still only your first role.

[MarillionFan]

When I learned how a contractor should deliver, left permie head behind, learned the basics (and a little bit more) about my finances and how to run a company properly. Understood my responsibilities and that kind of thing.

Took me a good year and a bit with a couple of contracts under my belt.

Getting one extension does not make a contractor.

As 2BIT says. Getting your next role is more important. An extension is still only your first role.

By the time you get to your 35th+ contract then you can maybe consider getting a small, discrete badge which says 'Contractor'.

[nomadd]

By the time you get to your 35th+ contract then you can maybe consider getting a small, discrete badge which says 'Contractor'.

This^

Although...

I'd probably hand a (very) small badge to anyone who manages 10 years straight contracting (no chickening off to permie-land when things get hard.) I'd offer a proper-sized badge to anyone who manages 20 years straight contracting. And if you hit 30 years straight contracting (my current aim) well, I'd let you retire.

[MarillionFan]

This^

Although...

I'd probably hand a (very) small badge to anyone who manages 10 years straight contracting (no chickening off to permie-land when things get hard.) I'd offer a proper-sized badge to anyone who manages 20 years straight contracting. And if you hit 30 years straight contracting (my current aim) well, I'd let you retire.

Oh. Have it back then.

[TestMangler]

It's an absolute must that you shag an ugly hiring manager (of the opposite sex) to get an extension. Even if she's so minging that you're gagging while doing it

Maybe that's just me though

[TestMangler]

This^

Although...

I'd probably hand a (very) small badge to anyone who manages 10 years straight contracting (no chickening off to permie-land when things get hard.) I'd offer a proper-sized badge to anyone who manages 20 years straight contracting. And if you hit 30 years straight contracting (my current aim) well, I'd let you retire.

Three years to go for the 'proper' badge for me then Hopefully retiring well before the 30 year badge.

[Alf W]

Getting a ban on here
Starting a "classic" thread on here
Putting a purchase through the company that makes you genuinely nervous about its validity
Sacking your accountant
Returning to a previous Client Co only to find your old security pass still works
Leaving a gig and thinking that you have that much stationery at home you really don't need to take any more.
Refusing to take any sick time off for a contagious condition and then finding that you have waylaid at least three permies in the process.
Being referred to in the office as "Contractor Scum"
Being benched for at least three months and actually quite enjoying it.
Turning down an extension for a better offer.

I'm sure there's more.

[MarillionFan]

Getting a ban on here
Starting a "classic" thread on here
Putting a purchase through the company that makes you genuinely nervous about its validity
Sacking your accountant
Returning to a previous Client Co only to find your old security pass still works
Leaving a gig and thinking that you have that much stationery at home you really don't need to take any more.
Refusing to take any sick time off for a contagious condition and then finding that you have waylaid at least three permies in the process.
Being referred to in the office as "Contractor Scum"
Being benched for at least three months and actually quite enjoying it.
Turning down an extension for a better offer.

I'm sure there's more.

Got all of those except never been benched.

[Alf W]

Got all of those except never been benched.

Going permie resets the clock. Splitter!