Reply to: n00bie alert! Service Management/Project Management

[Stolly]

And also what would be a reasonable rate if I looked for a position from Leeds/Manchester upwards?

KL

A lot less than London rates, thats been my experience (different field).

In my field, you are looking at 300-400 pd London and around 225-250 in Yorkshire.

[kanulondon]

do it. if your confident enough and you've enough experience and qualifications to get another permanent job then quit and look for contract work. i wouldn't advise seriously looking whilst in permie work as your months (sometimes 3 months) notice will do you no favours. Also, agencies will think you'll chicken out at last minute so might not be interested in putting you forward to the client.

Ultimately, if you quit then can't find anything/anything suitable, you just hit the permie jobs boards instead.

Worst case scenario =

1. you've got some decorating done / sat watching tv whilst this is going on
2. you've some good job interview experience
3. you've left the old job you obviously don't like very much
4. your new permie job will probably be paid more than your old one

good luck.

That's certainly the way I am looking at matey. You don't know how close that is to reality. I am confident that I can make it work and am looking forward to the challenge more than anything else

Better to have tried and failed....even better to have tried and succeeded!

KL

[mailric]

do it. if your confident enough and you've enough experience and qualifications to get another permanent job then quit and look for contract work. i wouldn't advise seriously looking whilst in permie work as your months (sometimes 3 months) notice will do you no favours. Also, agencies will think you'll chicken out at last minute so might not be interested in putting you forward to the client.

Ultimately, if you quit then can't find anything/anything suitable, you just hit the permie jobs boards instead.

Worst case scenario =

1. you've got some decorating done / sat watching tv whilst this is going on
2. you've some good job interview experience
3. you've left the old job you obviously don't like very much
4. your new permie job will probably be paid more than your old one

good luck.

[kanulondon]

To those who have SM experience

Any recommendations on how what type of contracts I should be looking at to expand on my BAU experience?

Or should I just take whatever I get to start with...as long as it isn't cleaning the bogs....but hey for £500 a day....

Thanks for advice so far

KL

[kanulondon]

Thanks for advice Cojak.

I am definitely going to be as flexible as possible upon searching for roles. But your right BAU is currently by background but part of the reason I want to go contracting is for that to change and to expand my skills.

re:Politics - You speak wise words. I was really more talking about my wait for promotion as some of the ways and means it takes form at my work place. Would be happy to play political game in certain situations, and as I will be going for more senior roles in the long term, i will most certainly have to. I'll just be happy that it doesn't involve some of the aspects I dislike in my own organisation.

Thanks Malv - I can see you have vast amounts of experience but you have to start somewhere.

KL

[cojak]

Hi Chaps,

Sorry been busy doing that ITIL thingy...

Yep Mal's right there is a difference between you and him (apart from experience, looks, size of girth, etc... ) and that is that Mal (and I) implement/re-engineer ITIL (and it's no longer 'just' Service Management/Operations anymore*). We are Project bods, whereas you are looking for a Business As Usual operations role - and that type of contract role will be a bit harder to find during these times (you'll find more permanent roles than contract roles for BAU out there).

So I would be a bit flexible about the type of role you take. Major Incident Management as a specialty seems to be linking up with Business Continuity and Information Security - I'd read around those areas too.

Oh, just one more thing.

[QUOTE=kanulondon]
I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, I work for one of the big 2 UK banks and I've had it up to hear with all the politics. mad

/QUOTE]

It is a myth that the moment you become a contractor you can ignore the politics - it may happen for some lucky (usually junior) people but the moment you start thinking about your extension you become political. And if you are senior you will have to play, whether you like it or not.

You just need to be good at it...

[* and yes, I know it's never been 'just' Service Management/Ops for you, Mal... ]

[thunderlizard]

But you must have started out with one, maybe two companies. Anyway, quality not quantity!

[malvolio]

Anyone else working within the ITIL best practice field?

Me. Cojak. Bound to be some others

But btw, there's a differentiator between you and me right away. You've seen it in what, one environment and one, maybe two companies. We've seen it in several industry verticals and in my case around 30 companies...

[pmeswani]

So does anyone know what to expect from a first contract?

And also what would be a reasonable rate if I looked for a position from Leeds/Manchester upwards?

KL

I don't know what to expect for a rate in Leeds / Manc. on the role you are applying for... but my only advise to use your first contract as a learning curve. If things don't work out, learn from it and move on.

[kanulondon]

So does anyone know what to expect from a first contract?

And also what would be a reasonable rate if I looked for a position from Leeds/Manchester upwards?

KL

[kanulondon]

Thanks for the sounds advice guys.

Apologies for the reference to 'all that jazz' all I meant is that I am fully aware of the paper trail and the issuettes associated with running your own MyCoLtd.

I have been building up to this for the last 6 months. I've got money saved in the bank too should things not go so well to start off with.

I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, I work for one of the big 2 UK banks and I've had it up to hear with all the politics. mad

I'm confident that I have the experience to back up the qualifications, but I am glad I took them as I hope they open doors for me.

Is it REALLY such a bad time to look for your first contract? I've seen a number of roles I feel I'd be suitable for, however I now I'm 'fresh fish' and I may struggle initially.

The one thing I will need to plan for is looking for that first contract. I intend to start looking in Sept (after a long holiday) and if nothing comes in within the first few months I'll have to bite the bullet and I-resign.com

But it's all good....all part of the master plan.

Am working on CV will be joining the recommended recruiters in August.

Anyone else working within the ITIL best practice field?

[BWW1981]

Cheers!

[pmeswani]

Hi pmeswani, do you have the link to the section that helps you tart your CV up?

Cheers

Have a look at http://www.contractoruk.com/news/00383.html and http://www.contractoruk.com/news/00405.html

My CV is a slight variation of the above link, but the principle is the same.

[BWW1981]

Hi pmeswani, do you have the link to the section that helps you tart your CV up?

Cheers

[pmeswani]

Hello,

Been reading forums and speaking to contractor friends with much enthusiasm of late as I have been upskilling at work as I prepare to go contracting.

I've done most of my homework, but I know somethings will still take me by surprise. I've set up a Ltd Co and the rest of that jazz.

I guess my concern is about feasability of acquiring a job whilst still in permie employment, as I see some contracts are looking for quick appointments. I do not intend to quit my job, but may have to I guess?

Any views on this prospect?

My next issue is what to start off doing? I am not fussy on location or role so much, as long as the pay is OK (understand it will be lower for first role)

I recently gained my ITIL Red Badge (V2 and V3) as well as Prince2 Practioner. Also have plently of real world experience to back in up with my current employer. I am currently working as Major Incident Manager..

Any other ITIL / Service Management type contractor out there? Any recommendations for agencies or sources for jobs?

Thanks in advance for response, and also thanks for a CUK for a great website with useful info.

KL

Best not to leave a Permie role until you have secured your first contract. You may end up out of work for some time (as malvolio already stated). I started my first contract in November last year, by pure luck. You may want to look at revamping your CV (if not already done) and putting it on various job boards (jobsite, jobserve, etc). There is a useful section on this site on how to jazz up your CV.