Reply to: Confidence as a Contractor

[MyUserName]

I much prefer the chat type interviews than the 'tell me about a time when you've done such and such' panel format. I wish I could insist every interview was a one to one, I'd probably get a lot more jobs

One of the best interviews I had was just "tell us how you got into computing" and we spent about 2 hours talking about everything from games I programmed into my Commodore 64 through to what I thought I could contribute to the position at the company. Then they gave me a spec and an hour to code it before bringing in some of their top tech guys to discuss the code I had written with me. I stayed for over 5 years and in the entire time I was there only two programmers left. One was offered a contract on stupid money and the other came back a few month later.

[PerfectStorm]

I much prefer the chat type interviews than the 'tell me about a time when you've done such and such' panel format. I wish I could insist every interview was a one to one, I'd probably get a lot more jobs

[simes]

Yeah, I bet you really impressed the client who agreed a 50/50 WFH to find behind his back you wanted and held out fo 100% WFH. Way to go!

Nothing wrong with this.

The client wanted x, y and z. Found in the OP solid amounts of x and y, and was prepared to compromise through negotiation, z.

Have you ever applied for a role at a lesser amount and then negotiated up?

[MyUserName]

I am similar, a lot of what I do is easy, and I feel like lots of people can do it, but I often find myself feeling pretty clueless about a lot of things (software developer for 20 years this summer, last 11 as a contractor)

Solidarity, brother (or sister)

[Old Greg]

You

I am forever young, whereas you just fade away as an ageing spud basher's sub-standard sockie.

[BR14]

What joke?

You

[Old Greg]

That joke never gets old...

What joke?

[FIERCE TANK BATTLE]

Impostor syndrome is a bit different when you're a contractor, most of my work involves being paid way too much to do way too little.

It's not usually a case of 'can I do this job?!', but 'can I really keep browsing facebook all day and keep this job?!'

[jmo21]

I'm at the same gig as you as that's how we all find you as well

[northernladuk]

I am similar, a lot of what I do is easy, and I feel like lots of people can do it, but I often find myself feeling pretty clueless about a lot of things (software developer for 20 years this summer, last 11 as a contractor)

I'm at the same gig as you as that's how we all find you as well

[jmo21]

I often think that what I do is not really that difficult and I do not seem to be able to do it to the standard I expect for myself.

I am similar, a lot of what I do is easy, and I feel like lots of people can do it, but I often find myself feeling pretty clueless about a lot of things (software developer for 20 years this summer, last 11 as a contractor)

[simes]

When I've had to do interviews, my attitude has always been that I need the role less than they need the work done. I've had a pretty good success rate so far and several clients like me to return which makes life much easier than having to explain what I do to an agent whose last job was as a club 18-30 rep.

Very funny.

On interviews, my belief is that 'things' change quickly enough to make me believe it is a zero sum game. I am experienced, I offer enthusiasm, but I am open to whatever new thing they may have on the horizon.. I am a PM btw. Experienced, but never knowing it all...

[northernladuk]

I am no longer a contractor but I worry that my software engineering career has been some kind of big misundestanding. I often think that what I do is not really that difficult and I do not seem to be able to do it to the standard I expect for myself.

Literally yesterday I had a final round interview for a perm position in London on a 6 figure salary. Looking at LinkedIn they all seemed to have first class degrees from top universities, knew technologies that I had only vaguely heard of etc. I honestly thought I was wasting everyone's time but I went in anyway expecting to be exposed.

I got through 4 separate interviews feeling out of my depth and eventually got a text from the agent telling me they liked me and the feedback was that I could not have done better and they intend making an offer once the paperwork is sorted (the guy who needs to sign it is overseas in a different time zone).

I was elated ... but I still cannot shake the feeling that it is all a misunderstanding and it will crash down around me ears at some point!

Maybe you have the right attitude and other soft skills and they know the knowledge of the tech is the easy bit. It would be refreshing if they can see past the skills for other things you bring and allow you to show them what you are truly capable of. I'd imagine they've an idea where they are going and you bring some experience to help them that you aren't aware of.

Good luck with the gig and we expect a boom in General any time soon.

[MyUserName]

I am no longer a contractor but I worry that my software engineering career has been some kind of big misundestanding. I often think that what I do is not really that difficult and I do not seem to be able to do it to the standard I expect for myself.

Literally yesterday I had a final round interview for a perm position in London on a 6 figure salary. Looking at LinkedIn they all seemed to have first class degrees from top universities, knew technologies that I had only vaguely heard of etc. I honestly thought I was wasting everyone's time but I went in anyway expecting to be exposed.

I got through 4 separate interviews feeling out of my depth and eventually got a text from the agent telling me they liked me and the feedback was that I could not have done better and they intend making an offer once the paperwork is sorted (the guy who needs to sign it is overseas in a different time zone).

I was elated ... but I still cannot shake the feeling that it is all a misunderstanding and it will crash down around me ears at some point!

[psychocandy]

If you don't mind being bored tulipless by the keyboard replacement bod.

That joke never gets old...