Newbie looking for second contract - can't find ideal job, need some encouragement

[quackhandle]

Ok thanks for the advice. I guess I'm panicking for no reason and just need some balls

I came from permie land as a consultant so my experience in these 4 areas is very fresh. One thing they teach you when contracting is to blag your way in and keep your head down while you're working. It gives remarkably good results and for these four areas no one can point a finger at me and tell me I'm not a contractor. (they can still walk you off site though).

I also have a decent war chest so can hold off for a couple of months for a better contract. I guess I just have to stop worrying and keep on invoicing.

FTFY. Good luck out there.

qh

[zecontractor]

Ok thanks for the advice. I guess I'm panicking for no reason and just needed a bit of hand holding.

I came from permie land as a consultant so my experience in these 4 areas is very fresh. One thing they teach you at consultancies is to blag your way in and keep your head down while you're working. It gives remarkably good results and for these four areas no one can point a finger at me and tell me I'm not a specialist.

I also have a decent war chest so can hold off for a couple of months for a better contract. I guess I just have to stop worrying and keep on contracting.

[rurffy]

Or Sly Stallone ?

or chakie chan?

[kevpuk]

Are you Liam Neeson?

Or Sly Stallone ?

[Sausage Surprise]

As the title says.

I recently got my first contract and it was going swimmingly (got a further 3 month extension) but now the client has found a permie to replace me.

I have specialist skills, and my current contract is for the skill I enjoy the most. Contracts for this skill appear roughly one per each two months, while contracts for the other 3 skills are on all the time.

I've been dealing with crappy recruiters for a couple of months now and I can't find a decent role. I find them more of a hinder than a help. What do you think - should I take on a contract for one of the "crappy 3" while I wait for a contract in my favourite skill? What if I find a decent role a month in another contract?

Dealing with recruiters is such a pain sometimes... they remind me of estate agents. They are even making me think to go permie again just to avoid them.

Your thoughts?

Are you Liam Neeson?

[northernladuk]

I have four specialist skills, and my current contract is for the skill I enjoy the most. Contracts for this skill appear roughly one per each two months, while contracts for the other 3 skills are on all the time.

This doesn't sound right to me. That many specialized skills sounds more like a generalist. You mean like .NET Azure etc or PM, SDM and Programme management. Clients want people who are experts in a specialised skill set to do a bit of work, not someone that can turn their hand to anything. Remember as well you are only as good as your last contract so if those skill aren't used they are not going to be useful. If you cannot demonstrate them in very recent contracts you will go nowhere.

I've been dealing with crappy recruiters for a couple of months now and I can't find a decent role. I find them more of a hinder than a help. What do you think - should I take on a contract for one of the "crappy 3" while I wait for a contract in my favourite skill? What if I find a decent role a month in another contract?

Dealing with recruiters is such a pain sometimes... they remind me of estate agents. They are even making me think to go permie again just to avoid them.

Your thoughts?

You are gonna have to grow some I am afraid. Agents provide a service in finding and advertising these roles. They are here to stay and will be a very regular part of you new career. If you can't handle them and it bothers you you are not going to have much fun. I think to view them as a hindrance is the wrong attitude to start with. Slight pain in the arse yes, hindrance no.

Question I have is do you actually have a chance of getting a role with the 'crappy 3'? As I said, if you cannot demonstrate these skills in the last few roles you don't have a hope. You have to look like you have been doing a role for many years to be considered because there will be most certainly a ton of guys in front of you that can. Give it a go and see but it is going to be pretty soul destroying if you don't have a good dose of reality around the whole process.

[BlasterBates]

Just apply for the best you can get from what you see advertised. The market isn´t good at the moment, and if you really want to work in your favourite niche area you may have to consider going permie.

[rurffy]

As the title says.

I recently got my first contract and it was going swimmingly (got a further 3 month extension) but now the client has found a permie to replace me.

I have four specialist skills, and my current contract is for the skill I enjoy the most. Contracts for this skill appear roughly one per each two months, while contracts for the other 3 skills are on all the time.

I've been dealing with crappy recruiters for a couple of months now and I can't find a decent role. I find them more of a hinder than a help. What do you think - should I take on a contract for one of the "crappy 3" while I wait for a contract in my favourite skill? What if I find a decent role a month in another contract?

Dealing with recruiters is such a pain sometimes... they remind me of estate agents. They are even making me think to go permie again just to avoid them.

Your thoughts?

Well it will be better if we know those skills your posses ....

[Ticktock]

If you're new to contracting then I'd suggest taking the "crappy" contract.

1. It's billable
2. It gives you another client in you history
3. It gives you another agent who knows you (I've got 1 agent who actually seems useful and has found me a few contracts).
4. It's billable.

[Wanderer]

I've been dealing with crappy recruiters for a couple of months now and I can't find a decent role. What do you think - should I take on a contract for one of the "crappy 3" while I wait for a contract in my favourite skill? What if I find a decent role a month in another contract?

The market seems pretty quiet at the moment. I'd suggest taking whatever you can get. If you want a really decent role then take a crap one and you are almost certain to get a really good one come along!!

Dealing with recruiters is such a pain sometimes... they remind me of estate agents. They are even making me think to go permie again just to avoid them.

OK, someone is going to say this so it might as well be me. Are you sure you are cut out to be a contractor?

[Stan.goodvibes]

*grabs popcorn*

[zecontractor]

As the title says.

I recently got my first contract and it was going swimmingly (got a further 3 month extension) but now the client has found a permie to replace me.

I have four specialist skills, and my current contract is for the skill I enjoy the most. Contracts for this skill appear roughly one per each two months, while contracts for the other 3 skills are on all the time.

I've been dealing with crappy recruiters for a couple of months now and I can't find a decent role. I find them more of a hinder than a help. What do you think - should I take on a contract for one of the "crappy 3" while I wait for a contract in my favourite skill? What if I find a decent role a month in another contract?

Dealing with recruiters is such a pain sometimes... they remind me of estate agents. They are even making me think to go permie again just to avoid them.

Your thoughts?