Where to start with IT Contracting

[Robinho]

I was 24 when i got into contracting but even then that was through a connection. A year later i found the 2nd contract very hard to get as well. It'll be hard at your age so have a back up plan and enough money to live on in the medium term.

It's important to adopt a change in thinking. You're no longer an employee you're a business and you provide a product - make sure you redo your CV to reflect this.

[administrator]

thank you! appreciated.
unlike some of the big boys behind computer screens....

They are all being helpful, and if you read some of the guides you may twig as to the salary reference. NLUK is also being helpful in pointing out that contractors tend to be hired for what they know and their ability to get a job done, not to ask lots of questions about things that can be researched or worked out themselves.

If you can crack the contracting market at your age and land some decent roles then you will be doing really well. My advice is just to get stuck in and see what happens. Do read the guides, first timers, and the umbrella and ltd co sections on the main site to make sure you make the best decisions for you in terms of payment structures as this can save time, money and heart-ache in the long run.

Good luck!

[cojak]

Just to let you know sami that the responses were quite gentle.

You're going to need a thicker skin than that if you want to be a contractor.

[saml]

Hi there! WElcome to CUK.

As you say, it is just as simple as applying for jobs. That is the difficult bit. You do then need to do some admin.

This thead would probably have been better in welcome.

Good luck!

Brillo

thank you! appreciated.
unlike some of the big boys behind computer screens....

[northernladuk]

Hi there! WElcome to CUK.

As you say, it is just as simple as applying for jobs. That is the difficult bit. You do then need to do some admin.

This thead would probably have been better in welcome.

Good luck!

Brillo

Or possibly general??

[BrilloPad]

Hi all,

First of all thank you for taking the time to read this. I am really after some help with regards to IT contracting.

What I really need to know is what do I need to do to start contracting? How do I get into it? Is it as simple as applying on job boards when I see the jobs come up?

Thanks for any help and tips you can proide.

Hi there! WElcome to CUK.

As you say, it is just as simple as applying for jobs. That is the difficult bit. You do then need to do some admin.

This thead would probably have been better in welcome.

Good luck!

Brillo

[MrRobin]

Permanent positions usually pay half (as I'm sure you'll all know).

Who told you that???!

[northernladuk]

You'll struggle to survive on a contractor's salary.

qh

An excellent point for the OP made perfectly... although he won't understand it at the moment.

[quackhandle]

I'm also interested by the difference in salary there is.

You'll struggle to survive on a contractor's salary.

qh

[topper]

What NLUK means is that, based on the fact that you need hand holding on the most basic of things and lack the aptitude to go and get the information you need by researching topics, you should stick to permiedom for now.

I was trying to be Gentle being a newbie myself, but that pretty much sums it up!

[fullyautomatix]

As a contractor you are on your own, you need to be able to research stuff and find answers on your own I am afraid. A bunch of random strangers can only help you so far. As already pointed out there are a bunch of guides here, a shed load of resources on here if you use the search and then there is the PCG site that also has invaluable information.

What NLUK means is that, based on the fact that you need hand holding on the most basic of things and lack the aptitude to go and get the information you need by researching topics, you should stick to permiedom for now.

[northernladuk]

As a contractor you are on your own, you need to be able to research stuff and find answers on your own I am afraid. A bunch of random strangers can only help you so far. As already pointed out there are a bunch of guides here, a shed load of resources on here if you use the search and then there is the PCG site that also has invaluable information.

[chef]

Chef's advice for newbie wannabe contractors

HTH

[topper]

starting

Firstly Welcome, I've recently taken to plunge and love it so far.

Secondly, you need to start reading up and fast, all the info is over here -------------------------------------->>

Especially see the "First Timers", all the information is in there, and is very thorough, you need to decide Umbrella vs Ltd, and read up, nobody is going to re-post it all again, there is also the search function.

Best of luck with your endeavour.

[saml]

Hi all,

First of all thank you for taking the time to read this. I am really after some help with regards to IT contracting.

I am a software developer with over 4 years experience programming in different environments. I have had a lot of experience in a large company going through the full SDLC. I am about to embark on completing an MCPD to ensure my skills are up-to-date and have the best chances of getting a job as I can. I aim to move to London in the summer and start contracting. I am 23 and at a point in my life where I do not need complete stability and the 'be your own boss' approach should work well for me. I'm also interested by the difference in salary there is. Permanent positions usually pay half (as I'm sure you'll all know).

What I really need to know is what do I need to do to start contracting? How do I get into it? Is it as simple as applying on job boards when I see the jobs come up?

Thanks for any help and tips you can proide.