• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Moving from Perm to Temp

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Moving from Perm to Temp

    Hi all.. my first post!

    I am currently in a perm role and ready to take the plunge and dive into a contracting gig. Working in IT Support for just over 3 years I have experience with OS and Server technology, troublsehooting hardware/software network issues. Troubleshooting connectivity issues using checkpoint, building structured ethernet cable, implementing office communicator R2, audit networks for vunerabilties, securing and patching, basic cisco ISO commands and dabbled with quite a few bespoke systems. Thats me in a nutshell! Yeah I have condensed it down slighly theres more, but basically just wanted you the reader to be able to gauge my level.

    So I think I am ready to give contracting a go.. but have a few worries. Whats the IT Industry like at the moment? Do i need to be available for work now? so should hand in my notice? Has anyone got similar skills to me? If so what contracting gigs have you got? Paid how much? I have asked a couple of recruiters these questions and received a mix bag, at the end of the day they are sales people, which is why I want answers left right and center. Thanks for reading! look forward to your responses.

    #2
    Originally posted by MadBallz View Post
    Hi all.. my first post!

    I am currently in a perm role and ready to take the plunge and dive into a contracting gig. Working in IT Support for just over 3 years I have experience with OS and Server technology, troublsehooting hardware/software network issues. Troubleshooting connectivity issues using checkpoint, building structured ethernet cable, implementing office communicator R2, audit networks for vunerabilties, securing and patching, basic cisco ISO commands and dabbled with quite a few bespoke systems. Thats me in a nutshell! Yeah I have condensed it down slighly theres more, but basically just wanted you the reader to be able to gauge my level.

    So I think I am ready to give contracting a go.. but have a few worries. Whats the IT Industry like at the moment? Do i need to be available for work now? so should hand in my notice? Has anyone got similar skills to me? If so what contracting gigs have you got? Paid how much? I have asked a couple of recruiters these questions and received a mix bag, at the end of the day they are sales people, which is why I want answers left right and center. Thanks for reading! look forward to your responses.
    Well I guess you are asking because you want an honest opinion??? Well here you go...

    First... We are not temps. We are directors of small businesses... not temps... Get me? Fail number 1.

    Are you ready for contracting? How do we know? You list some generic skills. So what? Do have any business accumen, know anything about basic accountancy? Got a war chest? Any idea what contracting is (as you think we are temps)? No. Fail number 2.

    At this point I read the next few questions and give up. I guess you have done absolutely no research whatso ever have you? There are a number of posts on here right now about what the market is like. You can go find what rates you are capable of (plus find if the market is there for you) by browsing the job sites and get a feel of how many there are and what you can do at what rate.

    You really need to do a bit of your own research. I guess you want to contract as you have had some mate tell you the rates and your eyes span round and stopped at dollar signs. I see nothing here to indicate you have any idea of contracting at all. Why do YOU think you are ready to contract? 3 years in IT does not really cut it eithe to be honest

    Go read all the stickies in these forums, read the links to the right hand side. Do some research. Come back and ask a reasonable question.
    Last edited by northernladuk; 19 July 2010, 23:18.
    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

    Comment


      #3
      In addition to the stickies you need to do is go to "CUK Navigation" (its on the right hand side over there -->) and click on "First Times". Read the information in there.

      Anything that confuses you then go to "search~" (it's at the top with "Advanced Search" underneath) and put in some search terms.

      If that doesn't work go to google and put the search terms in.

      Then when you have done proper research you won't need to ask the questions you have asked.
      "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

      Comment


        #4
        The hardest part of contracting... is not contracting!
        B00med!

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by Advocate View Post
          The hardest part of contracting... is not contracting!
          Amen to that! Very deep brother very deep
          'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

          Comment


            #6
            Umm!!! you have not realy thought about this have you (or indeed read anything about it)

            contractors are brought in by a company to do specific projects or to bring a skill that is not availble in house, most of the skills you list are very generic(no offence), back in the day when times were good there were plenty of support roles around doing rollouts and general 2/3rd line support just because the in house staff did not want to do it or were to busy, unfortunately them times have gone and much of the lesser support work is taken in by other existing teams to save costs(and indeed in my current role i have seen people from networks and apps used to do office moves).

            Also the problem with generic rather than specific skills is the rates are less, forget all the headline rates you see around here unless your in central london your unlikely to ever see more than £150 a day in a 2nd line support role and anybody that tells you different as been lucky or is just lying(or they may have some specific skill required for that post)

            Don't get me wrong many people make a good living on these rates if you don't have kids and a massive mortgage but it a thin line as to whether you make more money than a perm, if its the lifestyle your after then go for it but if your just looking at the money then i suggest you get training in a more sellable skillset first before jumping ship

            Comment

            Working...
            X