Reply to: Perm to Contracting - When did you give notice?

[northernladuk]

OR you can break a leg and not earn anything for 9 months, of you can run out of work for another 9 months, or your specialisation may become defunct meaning no more work, or you may net get paid or your 6 month gig lasts three days..

We do no favours to permies if we fail to point out that while you can do very well as a freelance, you can also do very badly: often in consecutive years.

I had to give up playing rugby because of contracting Cartilage damage in both knees and a damaged cruciate would have still allowed a couple of run outs with the Veteran team but only if I was getting paid for being off on sick. No chance if I'm getting paid per day I turn up.

[malvolio]

I would say it is a good idea. And you can make 2x more (until 2020 April at least). More risk, more reward, same job.

OR you can break a leg and not earn anything for 9 months, of you can run out of work for another 9 months, or your specialisation may become defunct meaning no more work, or you may net get paid or your 6 month gig lasts three days..

We do no favours to permies if we fail to point out that while you can do very well as a freelance, you can also do very badly: often in consecutive years.

[AndrewK]

But he's conveniently missed the contractors and depression threads, the people on bench stressed out and the posts where people have had to go back perm.

That just because we don't have permie redundancies thread. I don't think it would be more optimistic or less common. It just brave a new world.

[AndrewK]

Going contracting for the money is not necessarily a good idea. We don't charge high rates for no reason, the differential between contract rate and salary isn't all that great these days.

I would say it is a good idea. And you can make 2x more (until 2020 April at least). More risk, more reward, same job.

[Slinky]

Do you have a specialised PM skill set (SAP / cyber security / open banking) ?

As I’ve never seen the market so bad

It’s so bad I know some that have retained as scum masters and test bods


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Thanks for the heads up! Currently working in infrastructure project management in retail. My perm job has thrown a curve ball since posting and I may have the opportunity to move across to Agile/ Scrum product management.

[malvolio]

He said he'd done his research. Let's not scare him too much so he doesn't come back.

qh

He who? The OP is a lady... Do pay attention.

[quackhandle]

But he's conveniently missed the contractors and depression threads, the people on bench stressed out and the posts where people have had to go back perm.

He said he'd done his research. Let's not scare him too much so he doesn't come back.

qh

[northernladuk]

Indeed I am, one thing I tell people just because you are contracting you will still have ups and downs, just as if you were permy; it's called LIFE.

I wouldn't say running a business is the best thing I've ever done, I just find it preferable working as my own boss as opposed to: internal politics (although you do get this with contracting from time to time); corporate climbing wa*kers; "performance appraisals" and one of the main reasons: Boredom. Lost count of how many bored permies I've worked with, treading water year after year.

Go for it, sometimes you'll never know until you make that jump.

And hey, with Brexit around the corner we're all f**ked, regardless.

qh

But he's conveniently missed the contractors and depression threads, the people on bench stressed out and the posts where people have had to go back perm.

[quackhandle]

Saying that though, you are still here...still contracting even after your bad experience 10 years ago. I also read over and over how it was the best thing others have done and never looked back.

Indeed I am, one thing I tell people just because you are contracting you will still have ups and downs, just as if you were permy; it's called LIFE.

I wouldn't say running a business is the best thing I've ever done, I just find it preferable working as my own boss as opposed to: internal politics (although you do get this with contracting from time to time); corporate climbing wa*kers; "performance appraisals" and one of the main reasons: Boredom. Lost count of how many bored permies I've worked with, treading water year after year.

Go for it, sometimes you'll never know until you make that jump.

And hey, with Brexit around the corner we're all f**ked, regardless.

qh

[simes]

What did you do?

Sorry, wasn't in the same boat as you.

But, in your situation, I would probably just start applying for anything and everything and eventually, you will find a client who will be prepared to wait the four weeks' notice.

The added advantage to this is that if you're new to interviewing, then this will sharpen this area up too.

Good luck.

[LondonManc]

I'd wait to get made redundant to be honest. Unless you've got enough money to cover at least four months out already.

[GhostofTarbera]

Do you have a specialised PM skill set (SAP / cyber security / open banking) ?

As I’ve never seen the market so bad

It’s so bad I know some that have retained as scum masters and test bods


Sent from my iPhone using Contractor UK Forum

[MrButton]

I don't really "agree" with the idea of binning your notice period to go contracting - yeah, negotiating a 2 - 3 months into a month notice for a permie job is one thing - trying to get away within a week....that feels like a dick move to me. And the world is small, afterall.

Totes agree. Then come here asking for legal advice when their contract gets canned.

Sigh.

[Slinky]

You may get lucky and get a 6 or 12 month gig and that will enable you to build your warchest up, however there is a flip side.

You get a new gig, but market forces have pulled your contract, you are out on your arse after 1/2 weeks. You then spend the next 3-6 or even 12 months looking for the next one. How would your finances cope? Do you have a warchest? Could you cope mentally? Not trying to frighten you but if you read some stories on here (and do read them), they might make you think twice. And yes, I've been there as well, I still shudder at 2009.

Remember that contracting isn't really about "trying it out to earn more money" it is actually running a business. And it's a state of mind. Yes the money helps, of course it does but don't become too focused on that, you will come unstuck. Most people come on here thinking they want to "go contracting" but really they just need a change of job.

Good luck. Seriously, good luck.

qh

Thankyou, I have thought about the flip side over and over again, I read the thread recently where someone was out for 10 months and of course it plays on my mind. I know the saying that the 2nd contract is the hardest to get also. Reading those stories have certainly made sure that I will be saving as much as possible to get a warchest behind me.

Saying that though, you are still here...still contracting even after your bad experience 10 years ago. I also read over and over how it was the best thing others have done and never looked back.

It's more than earning money, i've been working up to this for 10 years i've wanted to become self employed, become a contractor. I have planned carefully to build up my career in project management, buy a house and have a family while permanent and then make my move.

[vwdan]

I went the opposite route to most people - I actually extended my notice period. Obviously there was a very specific set of circumstances, but that doesn't really matter. The point is that as soon as I had a firm date, I cracked on - sorted my LinkedIn out, got my CV everywhere, set up my Ltd and started applying for stuff with that date in mind.

Obviously, when I was still several months out nobody was particularly interested but that's no problem. There's no harm in being in the back of peoples minds, and getting used to the process.

As "luck" would have it, a couple of weeks before my last day I picked up a contract and agreed a start date on the Monday after my last Friday.

I don't really "agree" with the idea of binning your notice period to go contracting - yeah, negotiating a 2 - 3 months into a month notice for a permie job is one thing - trying to get away within a week....that feels like a dick move to me. And the world is small, afterall.