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Considering becoming a contractor

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    Considering becoming a contractor

    Good afternoon fellow forumites.

    I was wondering if I could get some honest feedback from others that have taken the leap and become IT contractors.

    The company I work for (who shall remain nameless until I no longer work for them) have decided that the BI function that's currently provided from two sites within their UK operation is one which can better be provided by staff in India, which means that I and 12 other people will be redundant as from the end of September.

    I've been with the company in its various incarnations for the past fifteen years, so I'm going to be walking away with a fairly good redundancy package. I've always toyed with the idea of being an IT contractor and picking up short-term contracts, but because I've had a permanent position I've been unwilling to take that leap into the unknown. Now though, that opportunity is presenting itself.

    I've been in IT since 1995 and would say that the majority of my skills lie in database administration, specifically around Microsoft SQL Server (2005/2008). I know that there are various ways in which to set up as a contractor, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me any pointers on the best way to go about it.

    TIA

    Ian

    #2
    Read the 1st timers guide over there ->
    And the lord said unto John; "come forth and receive eternal life." But John came fifth and won a toaster.

    Comment


      #3
      I'll say it nicely before the vultures get in - the search feature is quite good.

      wish you luck!
      Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

      Comment


        #4
        Redundancy is a good time to test the waters - good luck!

        Comment


          #5
          Also pay some money and get your SQL 2012 certifications

          2008 is going out of service soon (although still in extended service) so you should be able to find some gigs with people looking to migrate.

          And in general your biggest selling point can often be that your skills are fully up to date on most recent versions so keep a training budget

          Comment


            #6
            <NLUKMode>
            Have you read the Frist Timers section over ----->>>>>>
            </NLUKMode>

            1. Create a limited company, can be done quite efficiently in line with item 2.
            2. Find an accountant, plenty around here.
            3. Get them to get your Flat Rate VAT registration sorted if appropriate, sounds like it is as a DBA.
            4. Find contract/contracts, and go through the usual banal validation and sign on processes.
            5. Start working as a contractor
            6. and most importantly invoice regularly and minimise the invoices that are unpaid.
            7. Fill your boots and enjoy your life.
            Never has a man been heard to say on his death bed that he wishes he'd spent more time in the office.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by ianbhenderson73 View Post
              Good afternoon fellow forumites.

              I was wondering if I could get some honest feedback from others that have taken the leap and become IT contractors.

              The company I work for (who shall remain nameless until I no longer work for them) have decided that the BI function that's currently provided from two sites within their UK operation is one which can better be provided by staff in India, which means that I and 12 other people will be redundant as from the end of September.

              I've been with the company in its various incarnations for the past fifteen years, so I'm going to be walking away with a fairly good redundancy package. I've always toyed with the idea of being an IT contractor and picking up short-term contracts, but because I've had a permanent position I've been unwilling to take that leap into the unknown. Now though, that opportunity is presenting itself.

              I've been in IT since 1995 and would say that the majority of my skills lie in database administration, specifically around Microsoft SQL Server (2005/2008). I know that there are various ways in which to set up as a contractor, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me any pointers on the best way to go about it.

              TIA

              Ian
              If I were in your position I would try and find permanent employment elsewhere starting in September – the timeframes for arranging a permanent position are usually much wider and more accommodating than finding a contract, i.e. it’s par for the course to apply for a job with your available start date in September. A client Co looking for a contractor needs somebody to start the next day or the next week, not in 4 months time.

              When it gets to within 2 weeks of your redundancy, providing a permanent position has been found, I would then start applying for contract positions. If, and it’s always a big ‘if’ finding your first contract, despite how much experience you have, you can then explain the situation to the Co you’ve been offered a permanent position with and your reasons for not taking it. It might be callous and no doubt they’ll give you ear ache for the time wasting, but, that’s life and you can guarantee if their circumstances changed between job offer and start date they’d try and bin you off too.

              I wouldn't bother setting up a company, arranging insurance or a company bank account until an offer is ready to be made for a contracting position, that can all be turned round relatively quickly.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Scrag Meister View Post
                <NLUKMode>
                Have you read the Frist Timers section over ----->>>>>>
                </NLUKMode>

                1. Create a limited company, can be done quite efficiently in line with item 2.
                2. Find an accountant, plenty around here.
                3. Get them to get your Flat Rate VAT registration sorted if appropriate, sounds like it is as a DBA.
                4. Find contract/contracts, and go through the usual banal validation and sign on processes.
                5. Start working as a contractor
                6. and most importantly invoice regularly and minimise the invoices that are unpaid.
                7. Fill your boots and enjoy your life.
                Find a contract before setting everything up - that way if you do go back to perm you haven't got the hassle/expense of closing it all down again.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by original PM View Post
                  And in general your biggest selling point can often be that your skills are fully up to date on most recent versions so keep a training budget
                  Something I'm finding very rewarding about being a contractor is deciding I want to do a cert, or a course of a conference and just signing up. Yes I'm paying, but at least the rewards are mine to keep.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Give up. Your career is over, best to try and get a job at B&Q.
                    What happens in General, stays in General.
                    You know what they say about assumptions!

                    Comment

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