Reply to: Moving slowely from permi to contractor

[d000hg]

I have over 16 years IT experience, with the last 10 split over Technical Architect and Infrastructure Team Manager Roles.

I work for a major UK bank that's had huge losses over recent months. I'm very good at my job, and as you can imagine I've lead/designed some pretty big infrastructure projects over the years.

I'm giving up the following:

Location: North West
Salary £57k
benefits : Company car, medical, blah blah
Time to travel to work : 45m round trip

I haven't worked in that sector, but isn't £57k pretty low for such a senior position in the banking sector?

[sydb]

Thanks for the support

I know it sounds mad, but I'm very experienced in my role, I'm the "go to" person who gets things done.

So why are you on here asking daft questions like can I break my (suspected, likely) contractual obligations with my current employer? If you're smart, either you know how to play them or you know not to.

But at the moment (actually last few months) I've been spending my life "sifting" through politics. I've had enough.

Also I guess I'm bored. I've seen it all, I've designed infrastructures for greenfield sites, been through Y2k, performed mass upgrades, project managed data centre closures, project managed data centre openings! Etc

I think I really need a change.

Then go! If you wait for the 'dundo and end up gardening, how bored will you be then?

OK enough sniping, here's a suggestion: you could wait to be laid off and spend your gardening leave learning a foreign language or something else to distinguish yourself from the many other highly skilled and experienced professionals in your field, with whom you'll be competing. If you're not laid off then maybe the politics will have died down and you can stay where you are, which I think would probably make you happy.

As an architect and manager, one of the things (the main thing?) that makes you useful to your organisation is the 16 years you've spent there. You know who to speak to, you have a grasp of all the different systems and how they interface, etc. You walk onto a new site, that knowledge isn't nearly as much use.

I'm neither an architect or manager, just a techie, but I have to work with both, and this is my impression.

[Clippy]

Is this guy for real?

[lukemg]

Yeah, that sounds fair enough, how about a change involving sitting on your couch watching daytime telly in your dressing gown ? Being the 'go to' guy is a good start as long as you can do that from a standing start without knowing anyone else in the company. After a few years at a place, of course you know it backwards and all the people in there who can help.
400-500/day ? in the North-West doing an infrastructure role ? Good luck....
I suggest you devote all energies towards locating a role via the usual job boards, contacts, networking, linked-in etc etc. Ensure you present yourself as immediately available (the extensive competition is), this will tell you the demand for your services (note - not skills). Once/if you secure a contract offer, approach current employer and ask to leave/store lots of hols/just walk (they won't do anything).
The speed with which you secure this offer is an indication of how 'in demand' you are in the market. If it takes months, are you prepared to be out of work that long when the first 13 weeks are over ?
You seem to be very well paid currently, I would be surprised if you can match that overall package with contract rates over the next 3 years, especially including 'resting'.
Contracting can be much more challenging and interesting but only if you can generate consistent demand, suggest you get a decent warchest built up and at least the job can be recycled to someone else who wants it.

[Al20]

Have you thought through the redundancy angle? You don't say how long you've worked for the company but sounds like quite a few years. Sticking in the permie job while the market is at a low point, then picking up a fat redundancy payment and then going contracting would seem an ideal move.

I have, but the timeline for this is still be be made public. Based on previous "opportunities" I feel if I wait I could get between £15,000 and £70,000 (£30k tax free), i'm just not sure how long to wait. Or do I just "bite the bullet"?

You are right, you have described the ideal option.

[Al20]

say goodbye to the North West then!

Yup I realise that, I am willing to travel to secure the correct position at the correct price.

[Al20]

You need your head testing

I appreciate you comment, and I understand where you're coming from. But some things need to be done.

[Al20]

Of course you need a degree of competency to be a contractor - but equally as important are your people skills - how do you get on with others ?

If you tend not get on well with others - or perhaps tend to be moody - or perhaps you think your'e the best in the team - then as a contractor you might be in a for a wee surprise ...

You do realise youre taking a very large gamble by leaving your perm job in this current climate - whatever you do - Good Luck.

I'm pretty confident and diplomatic when I need to be. I don't overpower people in a meeting; I know what needs to be done to get my point across.

I realise it's a gamble – but if I don’t move soon I'll probably be here for another 10 years !

[Al20]

Personally I think you are certifiable to jack in the permie job but good luck anyway, I hope it works out for you. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks for the support

I know it sounds mad, but I'm very experienced in my role, I'm the "go to" person who gets things done. But at the moment (actually last few months) I've been spending my life "sifting" through politics. I've had enough.

Also I guess I'm bored. I've seen it all, I've designed infrastructures for greenfield sites, been through Y2k, performed mass upgrades, project managed data centre closures, project managed data centre openings! Etc

I think I really need a change.

[Al20]

You might want to F7 your CV ;-)

Ah yes - well spotted. I blame the computer !

Should have been "Moving slowly from permi to contractor"

[DieScum]

Have you thought through the redundancy angle? You don't say how long you've worked for the company but sounds like quite a few years. Sticking in the permie job while the market is at a low point, then picking up a fat redundancy payment and then going contracting would seem an ideal move.

[thunderlizard]

If I can achieve a rate of £400-£500 I'll be happy....

say goodbye to the North West then!

[Fat Dave]

You need your head testing

[AlfredJPruffock]

Of course you need a degree of competency to be a contractor - but equally as important are your people skills - how do you get on with others ?

If you tend not get on well with others - or perhaps tend to be moody - or perhaps you think your'e the best in the team - then as a contractor you might be in a for a wee surprise ...

You do realise youre taking a very large gamble by leaving your perm job in this current climate - whatever you do - Good Luck.

[George Parr]

So I've decided to give up my current job, I'm pretty **** hot at my job so finding a contract should be possible, even in these hard times.

I'm giving up the following:

Location: North West
Salary £57k
benefits : Company car, medical, blah blah


!

Personally I think you are certifiable to jack in the permie job but good luck anyway, I hope it works out for you. Let us know how it goes.