Reply to: First time contractor.. where did all the jobs go?

[l35kee]

I'm in the same situation as the OP looking for my first contract, albeit 6 months later.

I got the first one I applied to. Was inspired to join the contracting industry by the numbers of less skilled contractors I worked with in my last permie role

OPs problem may be regional.

Exactly what happened to me 5 or so months ago.

[Smackdown]

I'm in the same situation as the OP looking for my first contract, albeit 6 months later.

I got the first one I applied to. Was inspired to join the contracting industry by the numbers of less skilled contractors I worked with in my last permie role

OPs problem may be regional.

[MrMarkyMark]

Which programmes/ projects of work are covered by this? This sounds like they would have to can whole floors of people

Have you contracted at an IB recently?

[molsang]

Totally agree with you my friend

Fair comments in general.

Contracting isn't easy and certainly isn't for those who crave stability.

Since I started contracting 8 years ago, I've spent about five years in total away from home (not counting weekends). If you've not got a warchest to start with, you've got to go where the work takes you. If there are no gigs in your area, you either sit on the bench and wait or go where the work takes you. If you've got a partner who's on a good wage, you can be more fussy about when and where you work. If you've not got kids and/or mortgage, you again have the luxury of that.

I made the choice to go contracting rather than attempting to climb the corporate ladder. Do I regret it? At times. Do I miss the permie lifestyle of reviews, huggy-feely sessions, team-building, tedium, etc.? No. Do I miss the buzz of promotions and bonuses, the free training, not having to find a new gig, not living out of a suitcase a few days a week and the comfort blanket that a five-figure redundancy cheque? Of course. But similarly I enjoy the variety of work that I've experienced in the last 8 years. I've been fortunate enough to only have had about 8 months off in total (bench/sick/other unavailability). While I've not got a huge warchest, I can afford 5-6 months out without too much hassle factor but I've also enjoyed things - I've owned a Porsche, a Merc and a Jag, and we've had some great holidays, while I've been able to provide my children with everything they've needed to get through college and university.

When will I retire from contracting? Probably when my wife and I agree the time is right, roughly 15-20 years from now once the pension pot is full enough to pick and choose contracts or start a new adventure together.

Would I go back perm? Probably, but it would take one heck of an offer in terms of role, package and prospects.

The choices to stay contracting, go perm, leave perm are very personal; it's not a one size fits all call for someone on a forum to make. Others believe they've made a mistake and want help putting it right rather than being told that they've already been the fool they know they have been. Kudos to the latter for wanting to rectify the mistake rather than deny its occurrence.

Many people come on hear and ask questions in hope of hearing the answers that they want to, taking umbridge when those answers aren't forthcoming. Others come on to hear the pros and cons of contracting and there are many of each. There are also many pros and cons to permanent jobs and I'd never seek to dissuade an individual from either route; a person is judged on their choices and they are simply seeking advice.

As experienced contractors, we have a breadth of knowledge and the one thing we must have realised by now is that not every sector is the same, not every type of role is the same; but the one thing that underpins all contracting is the uncertainty of it. You could be walked tomorrow with no recompense beyond the signed off timesheets for the days that you've completed; less than that if you're unfortunate. This isn't an easy life of pots of gold; there are no employment benefits.

Ultimately, we are microconsultancies; little businesses doing our best to make a profit each year in a challenging, uncertain, changing environment. Contracting isn't just a choice, it's a mindset and if you cannot handle uncertainty and change, contracting probably isn't for you.

[shamoon]

Just wait until Q4 this year when global standards at hsbc comes to an end. Thats 5000 contractors dumped and looking for work.

Cream always floats to the top, but 4900 will be jobless and looking for the high rates that they have become accustom to.

2017 is the year the contracting market becomes only for the best, or those with an excellent network.

Which programmes/ projects of work are covered by this? This sounds like they would have to can whole floors of people

[fullyautomatix]

Yes, even the Indian-based agencies have stopped calling, which is usually a very bad sign. The market is dead. Even the decent agents tell me they "are expecting the client to release new roles next week" which is their codeword for "we have no contracts and no idea when they are coming". Not sure how things are in the premie-land, but going into contracting now you'll need patience and financial resources to last you at least 3-6 months, maybe 12.

This could be said for the market in general since its year end and most companies are probably not sure of the IT budgets. It might be a month before the market picks up and frankly if you are a permie, it is best to wait a couple of months before taking the plunge.

[squarepeg]

Hi,

I'd add (or reiterate) - assume a high percentage of agents are just fishing for CVs and have no real job to offer, assume some more have unconfirmed jobs they are looking for candidates for (client has told them to start gathering CVs for a role that still needs authorisation), and assume a few may potentially be chancing their arm to get candidates for positions which the client has not engaged them for...

I'd recommend definitely expanding your search location (for the last 8 years I've rented flats to follow roles), be flexible on skills/role, and don't submit to the first agency you see advertise a role - ofter a few will advertise the same role within a day - pick the one you like the look of, and phone agents directly after submitting your CV (which it sounds like you are doing to be fair) - you can learn a lot more about the role, gauge the validity of it and give the agent a chance to remember you by a few minutes chat on the phone..

That being said - just keep applying - stick with it. Don't take any rejection personally - they just found a better fit - for whatever reason. Contracts can be like buses...

Yes, even the Indian-based agencies have stopped calling, which is usually a very bad sign. The market is dead. Even the decent agents tell me they "are expecting the client to release new roles next week" which is their codeword for "we have no contracts and no idea when they are coming". Not sure how things are in the premie-land, but going into contracting now you'll need patience and financial resources to last you at least 3-6 months, maybe 12.

[swamp]

I'm not sure I'd recommend going contracting in a niche product-based role such as SharePoint even if the market was good. You're unlikely to pick up any new primary skills, and if/when SharePoint dies you'll be left with nothing.

[quackhandle]

Just wait until Q4 this year when global standards at hsbc comes to an end. Thats 5000 contractors dumped and looking for work.

Cream always floats to the top, but 4900 will be jobless and looking for the high rates that they have become accustom to.

2017 is the year the contracting market becomes only for the best, or those with an excellent network.

Global standards? Be interested to read where you got that 5000 figure from.

qh

[Moss]

Hi
I am a first time contractor looking out for my first contract recently with a long permanent job history.
While I had the permanent job a month back, I was seeing a lot of buzz in the SharePoint market but my CV was not selling primarily because of the 4 week notice period (and some SC requirements).
Finally after a lot of consideration to ensure keeping me afloat for few weeks financially and looking at the number of job requirements in the market, I took the plunge and quit my job to focus completely on the contractor market and also tap into those opportunities that usually needs one to join asap within a week.
Fast forward a month and all I could see is only one serious interview and no shortlistings despite numerous calls with agencies every day and what I feel is a killer CV (experience in all areas of SharePoint tech stack both in US and UK).
My hunting ground has been Jobserve, Jobsite, cwjobs, monster and LinkedIn.

Am I missing something obvious here or a untold source (he-who-must-not-be-named) that I have missed out on as I am not well ensconced yet in the contractor network?
Any suggestions to improve discovery and a better hit-rate for interviews would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Pallavi

Hi,

I'd add (or reiterate) - assume a high percentage of agents are just fishing for CVs and have no real job to offer, assume some more have unconfirmed jobs they are looking for candidates for (client has told them to start gathering CVs for a role that still needs authorisation), and assume a few may potentially be chancing their arm to get candidates for positions which the client has not engaged them for...

I'd recommend definitely expanding your search location (for the last 8 years I've rented flats to follow roles), be flexible on skills/role, and don't submit to the first agency you see advertise a role - ofter a few will advertise the same role within a day - pick the one you like the look of, and phone agents directly after submitting your CV (which it sounds like you are doing to be fair) - you can learn a lot more about the role, gauge the validity of it and give the agent a chance to remember you by a few minutes chat on the phone..

That being said - just keep applying - stick with it. Don't take any rejection personally - they just found a better fit - for whatever reason. Contracts can be like buses...

[SuperZ]

Market hasn't been great for a while but always has its peaks and troughs. I'm not as pessimistic as many. Hopefully a lot of permi-tractors will bugger off back to perm-land and a decent market will return for those who don't really see perm as an option.
Also a reminder that as a long term contractor you really should have been banking a lot of cash over the years - contracting comes with a risk of loss .
My contract comes to an end soon, probably, and look forward to many pot noodle lunches...and evening meals

[Signo_cypher]

KUATB

To the OP - now is probably the worst time in the last 4 years that you could have picked to go contracting. It's not been this quiet since the Jubilee and London Olympics combined to kill the market for the best part of three months.

I agree the market is dead, I've been contracting for 10 years now (PMO Analyst/Finance), 6 roles so been here before but having finished in a large bank on 30th Dec 2016 and am still looking, this is my longest break ever, very very quiet out there 6-12 months money in the war chest has to be a must these days.

[blackeye]

Hey Pallavi,

I jacked in my permie role a year ago, it took 4 months to land my first gig. Unless you're prepared to do something about it, don't be surprised to go for days and weeks without phone calls or interviews. They won't just land on your lap.

So it's tough, but there's hope. Companies are always on the lookout for good people - perm or contract. You gotta work out how to get in there. What's your flavour of SharePoint xp? is it dev?

Agencies get well over 50 apps for each ad. Their attention lasts for seconds / most agents generally misunderstand roles - how do you get to the top of the pile without appearing to be desperate and convince the agent you're the one to be put forward for the role? Be the best you can be, be patient, persevere. Market yourself without being a BS artist. Invest time and independent review of your CV and application methods.

Split your time between networking, applying for roles through job boards and contacting hiring managers directly offering your skills. (BTW "CV library" is another job board which may yield unique results...)

Give yourself a time limit and go back looking for permie roles after that. Good luck!

So what happens if you aren't extended beyond your 6 months (it happens a lot). Another 4 months looking and not developing skills?

Contracting only makes sense if the market is fluid and you have marketable skills that can get you contracts within weeks. Otherwise it's stressful and a massive waste of time.

[blackeye]

Just wait until Q4 this year when global standards at hsbc comes to an end. Thats 5000 contractors dumped and looking for work.

Cream always floats to the top, but 4900 will be jobless and looking for the high rates that they have become accustom to.

2017 is the year the contracting market becomes only for the best, or those with an excellent network.

[eek]

Sharepoint dev is all moving to O365 and on prem will be discountinued by the next version. Much of the Sharepoint dev work I have seen in recent memory has been completed by consultanties who have outsourced nearly all dev work offshore.

As for UK perm salaries I agree they are low especially when you compare them to the US (NYC and California - the USD FX rate has made this even more in recent months) and Germany.

Not sure where you've got the idea that on prem will be discontinued. Cloud first means Office 365 receives releases first and then most (not all) functionality gets released to on-prem in the following (6 monthly) release.

But as redgiant states there is little long term future in sharepoint development - you really do need to move to something else and you probably need to be permanent to do so as the current contractor market is BAD...