DISCUSS: IT contractor guide to 'going direct'

[thunderlizard]

It makes sense as an indirect foot in the door. You would get to know a bit about the company: what the departments are called, what kind of systems they use, who to talk to etc.

[NotAllThere]

Here's how to use permanent job ads to get a direct contract.

Dear Client - while you are trying to recruit a bog cleaner for a permanent position in your toilets, may I offer my services? I am a freelance bog cleaner, with 20 years experience of cleaning bogs in companies of all sizes, across all industry sectors.

I understand that it can take many weeks, or even months to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced bog cleaner for a permanent role. Yet you still need to have your bogs cleaned - otherwise, as the latest Gartner report details, you have a high risk of losing your top traders to countries with cleaner traps!

I would be delighted to fill the gap, on a short term, short notice basis, at £4000 per day, which, you will note, is considerably less than what you would pay for a bog cleaner from a large consultancy, such as Crapita, Extra Dirty Sinks etc. Furthermore, I supply my own bog brush.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kryten.

[norrahe]

It is rare to see contract roles on websites, but best to keep an eye out on cleintcos websites

[d000hg]

I suppose there is no harm monitoring websites of companies you'd like to work with, and then contacting them when a perm position comes up to ask them to consider using your services.

[Clippy]

I have seen contractor roles advertised on a companys own website before but it is quite rare.

Generally speaking, I don't have much confidence in companies keeping vacancies up-to-date.

e.g quickly removing an advertised role once it has been filled.

[lje]

I was under the impression that 'openings' on websites for prospective clients were for permie roles

My current contract role was advertised on the client's website. Not sure how widespread this is though. It was good for me as I guess that not too many people apply for these roles when compared to roles on the major job sites.

[MPwannadecentincome]

I saw this in the news article in CUK IT contractor guide to 'going direct'

IT contractors wanting to go direct should therefore register with the websites of prospective clients to hear about future openings through automated emails. Manual checks for the latest IT roles cut the risk of missing out if the contracts are only emailed on a weekly basis, or not at all.

I was under the impression that 'openings' on websites for prospective clients were for permie roles - or have the panel seen contractor roles on such sites? Or there is a knack to be developed to contacting Human Remains to persuade them to take a contractor instead - not sure how you can do this these days all the applications are done online and they won't talk on the phone.