Considering contracting - really appreciate some advice please

[Bear]

I am wondering if there are any opportunities in the contracting world for general networking skills or whether this needs to be more specific or focused.

Malvolio has answered the PM question spot on. As for the above, you can't go out there with your CV saying 'I can do all general networking stuff and the strategy bit' - it won't work.

People hire contractors because they need specific skills and/or knowledge and they need it fast. Your CV needs to be tailored to the role being advertised, highlight the skills, knowledge that they are looking for. You sound well placed to do this with good experience.

The Prince II foundation course is multi choice and dead easy. Read the book and take the exam, it took me 35 minutes to complete the exam!

[MyContractor]

Ok, thanks for all the advice. I did not realise that Unix was more in demand than MS skills. That is good because I was bought up on Unix (IBM AIX). I have also worked extensively on Oracle.

I think the message here is concentrate on specific higher level areas rather than Microsoft.

Many thanks indeed.

[malvolio]

Thanks for the compliments! My posts are only appear detrimental if you happen to be demented and/or insane. To the rest of us they are based on fact. Yes I'm an agent.....of realism!

My advice to the OP is based on fact. New and potential PM's are two a penny. Unless you have good form, low rates and bench time await. My advice to lose the microsoft skills is again based on fact. They are cheap and two a penny. A mate of mine, who had all this MSCE stuff found himself benched during 2002/3 and managed to get permie job doing UNIX. Now contracting as senior unix admin in IB pockets £90/hr and sub-contracts other unix work, so is really minting it. Even mid level unix admin makes £60/hr and a junior £40. Let's face it, that p!sses all over microsoft rates.

So, if you think spending a year or 2 training to double or triple your rate is bad advice, you are insane - that is a fact.

But the OP has been doing primary system builds and installations, not mickey-mouse coding or sysadmin work. He's being asked to lead projects now, not in three years when he may have added some possibly extinct technical skills.

Ho hum, let's agree to differ. Both sets of advice are correct, after all. The only question is which is more relevant.

[oracleslave]

My posts are only appear detrimental if you happen to be demented and/or insane. To the rest of us they are based on fact.

So it's confirmed then. I am completely off my rocker.

[Turion]

And there we have the IT dilemma in a nutshell. Can't read the OP's question properly, don't understand the context and posts some largely irrelevant and detrimental rubbish. I thought that was my job?

Ah, now I get it, and it explains everything. Turion is an agent...

Thanks for the compliments! My posts are only appear detrimental if you happen to be demented and/or insane. To the rest of us they are based on fact. Yes I'm an agent.....of realism!

My advice to the OP is based on fact. New and potential PM's are two a penny. Unless you have good form, low rates and bench time await. My advice to lose the microsoft skills is again based on fact. They are cheap and two a penny. A mate of mine, who had all this MSCE stuff found himself benched during 2002/3 and managed to get permie job doing UNIX. Now contracting as senior unix admin in IB pockets £90/hr and sub-contracts other unix work, so is really minting it. Even mid level unix admin makes £60/hr and a junior £40. Let's face it, that p!sses all over microsoft rates.

So, if you think spending a year or 2 training to double or triple your rate is bad advice, you are insane - that is a fact.

[malvolio]

And there we have the IT dilemma in a nutshell. Can't read the OP's question properly, don't understand the context and posts some largely irrelevant and detrimental rubbish. I thought that was my job?

Ah, now I get it, and it explains everything. Turion is an agent...

[Turion]

Wannaby PM's post two a penny on this board and you certainly won't get minted with those microsoft skills - they're 2 a penny also. Not that you won't pick up some type of gig. You may have to travel, live remotely during the week and for the £30/hr you would command, not really worth it. Would recommend you holding off for at least 2 years while upskilling into heavy weight Unix/Solaris type technologies. This commands much better rates. In order to do this you need to find a permie job that will train you.

[malvolio]

It will do no harm to do some formal training and get the Foundation level, if only to get the magic phrase 'Prince2' on your CV. Plus it will allow you to understand the general approach and terminology and so converse with long-termers like me.

However, Prince is basically common sense formalised: almost every good PM I know uses the core principles but delivers things according to their own experience. Equally almost every bad PM I've worked with has stuck rigidly to the Prince2 model in all its boring detail.

What people like me look for is proven ability to deliver projects to time and quality standards. Demonstrate that and you're likely to get work. The qualifications only really get you past the agent (who usually have damn all idea of what the client needs really are)

[cykophysh39]

What you'll find is that PRINCE2, is always advertised for jobs, but when you actually get the job you'll find the "Do it my way" approach is always taken.

[MyContractor]

Hi, I am brand new to the forum and really would appreciate any advice. I have lots of experience on Microsoft networking. First qualified as MCSE on Windows 3.51 and currently MCSE on Windows 2003 and just passed 2008 exams. I have worked at various customer sites over the years for various FTSE 100 companies (manufacturing, retail and aerospace). I have been designing infrastructure, security, terminal services, etc. I am finding that customers are wanting me to concentrate more and more on strategic / technical assistance rather than actually 'doing the work itself' and I am wondering if there are any opportunities in the contracting world for general networking skills or whether this needs to be more specific or focused. A number of people have suggested concentrating on Project Management and I am wondering whether it is worth doing a Prince II qualification rather than the current 'do it my way' approach. Thanking you very much indeed for any advice.