Do part time (3 days per week) contracting roles exist?

[Bunk]

Most people in a role like this, have been with the client before. So now is the time you will be glad you didn't burn any bridges, jump contracts etc. contact you old clients and ask if they have something.

If you are new to contracting, very little chance, do you feel lucky?

Well, do ya punk?

[VectraMan]

WTS. I managed 6 months doing 2-3 days per week, but that came after a couple of months full time at the client (and I'd worked for the same client a few years previously). At the end of the full time stint they were saying the may have more, but weren't sure if and when, so I (keen to get any income at all) said I'd be happy to do any short term work, or even work part-time, and the manager's eyes lit up and suggested 2/3 days a week and said it never would have occurred to him to ask.

[Sockpuppet]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for a IT contracting role which is 3 days per week (business analysis, requirements, process, project management, digital, etc.) - the other days of the week I will be working on my own tech startup.

Will I be able to find a role like this?

Opinions please!

Yes I did one that was a variable number of days per week. I.e. I'd tell the client what I was working as long as I didn't exceed 80 days over 26 weeks. Rare but they can be found, the old phrase if you don't ask you don't get comes to mind.

[Sysman]

I have only ever seen this once. A very very clever lady got 4 days a week at UBS. She was the spitting image of miss piggy.

Very best of luck!

I've seen it quite often in Switzerland and for permie jobs too. It's great for those who want to take time off to study.

On the contracting side though, an ex-colleague doing 2 days at one place and 3 days with us per week made the comment that he'd come up against problems with both companies thinking his loyalty laid with the other one. It's probably best not to pick two clients who are in competition with each other.

[SupremeSpod]

I have only ever seen this once. A very very clever lady got 4 days a week at UBS. She was the spitting image of miss piggy.

Very best of luck!

AlreadyPacked is a very clever lady...

[Sysman]

WTS. I managed 6 months doing 2-3 days per week, but that came after a couple of months full time at the client (and I'd worked for the same client a few years previously). At the end of the full time stint they were saying the may have more, but weren't sure if and when, so I (keen to get any income at all) said I'd be happy to do any short term work, or even work part-time, and the manager's eyes lit up and suggested 2/3 days a week and said it never would have occurred to him to ask.

My first offer of 2 days a week was after I'd been with a client for 2 years. I had been doing bug fixing and I'd got most of it out of the way; they still wanted me around but not full time. The deal was Tuesdays and Thursdays, and if a client hit a bug on a Friday they'd call me in. That way they could promise their clients a response within one working day.

I wanted to branch out to explore other areas so it suited me fine.

[notting]

Hi All,

Thanks for your feedback! Some very useful (and funny comments) in there.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Notting

[Mich the Tester]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for a IT contracting role which is 3 days per week (business analysis, requirements, process, project management, digital, etc.) - the other days of the week I will be working on my own tech startup.

Will I be able to find a role like this?

Opinions please!

Thanks,
Notting

There aren't many because clientcos usually need capacity for a project with tight deadlines (read: crap planning); they already have to fit things in around permies who work part time, and don't want to do that with contractors

[Old Greg]

I have done several 3 day per week contracts. Am doing two at the moment.

In every case it has been with clients I know, where I have said at renewal or at start that I can only offer 3 days. I like the lifestyle and I can push rates up.

[alreadypacked]

AlreadyPacked is a very clever lady...