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Recent content by XperTest
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Realistic Agency Margin
Again though, I would have taken the assignment only if I was happy with the rate on offer, which would be above market rate anyway in my case as I have so far refused to lower my rate due to this so called financial crisis and have still had plenty of work. At that point, I would rather find...- XperTest
- Post #24
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Realistic Agency Margin
Might just be me, but personally I see a huge benefit in finding out the agent is on a higher margin (providing I am happy with my own rate, which I will be otherwise I wouldn't have taken on the assignment), as it makes my scope for a rate rise at extension time that much bigger once the client...- XperTest
- Post #18
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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TV Series' that can be watched more than once...
"Seinfeld: The Hamptons (#5.20)" (1994) Jerry, George Costanza: Elaine! Jerry: Do women know about shrinkage? Elaine: What do you mean like laundry? Jerry: No, like when a man goes swimming afterwards. Elaine: It shrinks? Jerry: Like a frightened turtle! Elaine: Why does it shrink? George... -
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Films that can be watched more than once
Agreed. I'd like to add Memento to that list. Brilliant viewing first time, and even better the second as you discover loads of clues you've missed first time around. -
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On retainer
Hi Lisa, I bumped an old thread to ask my question, and seeing as I am not UK based I am not affected by IR35 and the like. Have you ever negotiated a retainer yourself? If so, I would be interested in hearing how you've approached the matter.. It seems a bit akward asking to be paid when...- XperTest
- Post #9
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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On retainer
Has anybody here ever been on a retainer? I find myself in a rather unusual circumstance where 35 out of 40 of the project staff on the project I was working on have had their contracts terminated due to the customer reconsidering their approach towards the project outcome and the selected...- XperTest
- Post #7
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Need a contract quickly
I think you fail to see that being available to start quickly/immediately is not a differentiating quality in this market, where there will be dozens of candidates for each role, most of whom will be benched and ready to start on very short notice if needed. As a contractor, there is not much...- XperTest
- Post #21
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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What's the biggest factor in whether you enjoy a contract?
Responsibility and trust for me. Just came out of a contract two months ago where the project manager didn't put any trust whatsoever in his team and I was being completely micro-managed. By contrast now in a contract where I am being given the freedom, the trust and the responsibility to do the...- XperTest
- Post #2
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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When; does your CV start to speak / do you stop getting asked the basics??
My area, test management, is the same. Most of the times the interviewer is the project or program manager, and they have a basic understanding of testing from past experience working with test managers, but they lack the detailed knowledge because it is an area they don't want to bother about...- XperTest
- Post #9
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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NHS or RBS
I'd go with RBS to get some banking experience under your belt if all else is the same.- XperTest
- Post #4
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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2 agencies + 1 client == Blurgh
5 months on and the client was still looking for the same role..? I would tell SmallAgency to stuff it. You didn't hear from them in five months and then they stop you from taking a contract through another agency? Did you agree to be represented by them exclusively?- XperTest
- Post #2
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Things Must Be Improving....
I think you are reading too much into this. The agents over in mainland Europe are just a lot more polite and will actually return your call and respond to your emails. Strange concept if you are used to dealing with UK agents, I know..- XperTest
- Post #5
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Contracting/consulting a few hours on the side - what to watch for??
I can think of two things you may want to check: 1) what does your permie contract say about working part time as a contractor. Especially if you will be using knowledge obtained from the permie job, this may be frowned upon I'd imagine.. Is your employer aware of this plan B? 2) at that rate...- XperTest
- Post #3
- Forum: Business / Contracts
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Take home percentage in Holland
I think it will be (much) better for a UK citizen using the 2 year 30% tax ruling. For more info: http://www.taxpat.com/en/F.A.Q.-s/Questions-Regarding-the-30--Ruling--Netherlands-Tax-Benefit- Personally, I think this tax ruling is rubbish, because it creates an unbalanced market (as an NL... -
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Increase in vacancies?
HoT, I appreciate you are in a tough spot and didn't mean to offend you in any way. I am over in the Netherlands and I believe the market situation out here isn't nearly as bad as it seems to be in the UK. I am an experienced test manager (9 years under the belt), and I have worked at program...- XperTest
- Post #47
- Forum: Business / Contracts
