Reply to: Taking the plunge

[sathyaram_s]

When asked for a reference, I tend to resist a bit ... But, if the agent gets too pushy, I give other contractor's details as my reference ... They do the same as well ..

So, the agent doesn't bug you and doesn't bug your manager either ...

Has worked for me ...

[dmini]

Be aware - contracts can disappear up to the day you start! This isnt just agents lying - having worked for a distributor - end clients can and frequently do change their minds at the last minute.

Agents do lie. They have lots of vacancies - until you actually want ot talk about specifics! Some are worse than others

It generally takes at least a week to sort out contracts - esp if longer term. I've had one or two quick ones - sorted in a day or two - but most have taken a week or two to sort. So 2 weeks notice should not be an issue at all

[smee.again]

Yep, never trust an agent...


08:16

[The Lone Gunman]

Cheers gunman; the 53 pages of this doc is an excellent cure for insomnia...

I know it is heavy going, but some of the dodgier agents will misrepresent it to you to get you to do all sorts.
Opinion of its meaning is variable on some issues so it will help if you have read it and formed your own opinion.

[jubbly]

Read this document. Read it all and make sure you understand it. http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file24248.pdf.

Cheers gunman; the 53 pages of this doc is an excellent cure for insomnia...

[TheFaQQer]

Thanks ruth11, although I'm not sure my manager will go for it, it's a cunning plan well worth trying

I believe it's called "having your cake and eating it". Ruth was pretty lucky, IMHO.

That said, I told my boss long in advance of leaving that I was going, so that they could start looking for a replacement. Some people on here (when I described it earlier) said that they would have fired me on the spot, however the gesture was appreciated at work - it wasn't the most glamorous job or location, so the longer they had to find someone, the better.

[The Lone Gunman]

Jubbly: The reason the agent will give for requiring references is that thye are required by law to check your id, your quals and your history. They are not actualy required to check or have sight of documents and refs. They must just ascertain the truth.
A letter from a director of your company which warrants that your company has checked your id etc and your company will indemnify the agent against any costs arrising should more than suffice.

They are usualy fishing for leads.

Read this document. Read it all and make sure you understand it. http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file24248.pdf.

[Stan]

I'm old fashioned. I believe you should always resign your permie job cold with nothing lined up. If you can't do this in a buoyant market then you are not cut-out to be a contractor.

True, but being left with no job is not the best way to find out.

[swamp]

I'm old fashioned. I believe you should always resign your permie job cold with nothing lined up. If you can't do this in a buoyant market then you are not cut-out to be a contractor.

[bellymonster]

I went through the same process at the begining of the year but my permie job required 3 months notice. Obvioulsy I would never get a contract with a lead time like that so I did have to hand my notice in.

I then spent the next 4 weeks putting my CV forward for jobs that were suitable and was offered a contract that started well before my notice period ended. I negotiated with my employer and he basically said I could go early as he didn't want to ruin my chances of getting a decent contract. I guess most bosses are not this nice.

Anyway, biggest lesson I learnt from going contracting is to have a good wedge of cash, enought to survive for at least 8 weeks. I didn't and despite having a contract, I had all the hassles possible to get my first invoice paid.
I was living off the credit cards for a few weeks and at times I wish I'd never left my cushy job.

However, 7 months down the line, and on my 2nd contract I can safely say i made the right choice.

[jubbly]

...I also offered to continue working there after the 4 weeks is up essentially on a rolling week notice.

Thanks ruth11, although I'm not sure my manager will go for it, it's a cunning plan well worth trying

[ruth11]

For what it's worth, I handed my notice in to my permie job because I was finding the same thing.

I offered my 4 weeks notice and because they're struggling for staff at the moment and I hadn't got a contract yet, I also offered to continue working there after the 4 weeks is up essentially on a rolling week notice. They jumped at the chance and agreed to do this until either a) I get my first contract or b) they replace me and can no longer justify paying 2 salaries (they asked if I'd hand over), whichever comes sooner.
As it happens, I'm 3 weeks into my notice period and I have my first contract offer . Not accepted it yet but I almost certainly will and that means that I will end up leaving on my normal leaving date anyway!
But my current boss is happy and will give a great reference, and I'm happy.

If you're in a similar "important" position at your current job, 2 weeks is very short notice and whether it's within the rules or not, your current boss might feel a bit hard done by. If you're in no rush to go contracting (and it doesn't sound like you are!) I would try this approach first?

[thunderlizard]

agents will always say "quit, we'll get you a job no problem", because they want to (a) put you in a new job, and (b) put someone else in your old job. You will never meet one who says "nah, stay where you are mate, you're doing fine".

The 2 weeks thing will probably be OK, but if you are up for a project against another guy, and the other guy is available straight away, they won't wait for you.

Make sure you've got cash in the pot to tide you over for a few weeks. Your first contract might get canned 2 weeks in, and it might take another 4 weeks to get another after that.

[DaveB]

Notice periods are generally not an issue. It's the pimps who want you to start yesterday not the clients. By the time they have been through their own internal processes and signed off on the agency contracts you'll be at least 2 weeks down the line anyway, if not longer.

Don't give references until you have got the gig, and preferably not even then

A polite note along the lines of "I will be happy to provide the client with references subject to a firm offer of the role." usually see's them off.

[m47een]

I have recently moved into the world of contracting from a permi role and the client was happy to wait four weeks in my case.