Reply to: Bit the bullet, applied for a nearby permie role.

[Old Greg]

You offering?

I'll do it.

[BolshieBastard]

Maybe you can find another contractor Ltd to hire you the other 26 weeks on a support contract which happens to involve no work.

You offering?

[d000hg]

Maybe you can find another contractor Ltd to hire you the other 26 weeks on a support contract which happens to involve no work.

[BolshieBastard]

I think it's supposed to be challenging. This whole "every contractor should be planning a plan B" mentality is silly to me, it's another step but just as most people don't want to go contracting, most contractors don't want to run a whole business.

Sounds reasonable and not a bad way to round off a career if you can get it. You can of course always keep an eye out for juicy contracts...

What is your specialty BB?

I dont mind a challenge, I lost 70+k on one plan a which quickly turned to plan z so I know all about challenges.

But there's got to be a prospect of generating a living wage. It doesnt have to be the equivalent of a contractor income because I wouldnt be travelling 100+miles a day to \ from work as I do now. Im also the only income generator as the missus doesnt work now (through agreed choice).

Im in testing but the north west \ north is dead on its feet right now. There are roles in London but I'd end up having a 1 day weekend if I went down there so, prefer not to.

I can live quite comfortably on 26 week contracting out of 52 but as I said, agents especially think you have a bad reputation rather than take account of work \ life balance.

[Scoobos]

The world is definitely changing partly I think because IT is maturing.

Funny you say that, I think the IT world is changing for the opposite reason.

High performance machines have encouraged very lazy coding and a lack of quality documentation or pride tbh.

[d000hg]

I've looked at a plan b and c which I'd really like to do but, there's just no money in them never mind enough to make them worthwhile. OK, that may mean they are the wrong plan b and c but finding something that works and would bring in a couple of grand a month is a real challenge.

I think it's supposed to be challenging. This whole "every contractor should be planning a plan B" mentality is silly to me, it's another step but just as most people don't want to go contracting, most contractors don't want to run a whole business.

As I said, Im looking to stop working in 4 to 5 years max so, a decent paying permie role would do that.

Sounds reasonable and not a bad way to round off a career if you can get it. You can of course always keep an eye out for juicy contracts...

What is your specialty BB?

[BlasterBates]

Sounds gr8, I´m close behind, also a "permie round the corner role". In the end travelling costs really kills the financial advantage of contracting, and usuallly in that 45 K are "pension benefits". Also gives you a chance, because you have spare time to build up a plan B, to earn a bit of cash on the side from time to time, doing bits and bobs.

[BolshieBastard]

What multiplier of typical daily rate are you looking for for annual salary / 'package'?

Not sure how you work that figure out.

As I live in the north west, its not a high wage area so, 50k is the top end. Yes, you could probably earn another 10 - 15k if you travelled to Manchester or Leeds but that negates the option to consider permie because I'd have to travel to these places for contract and means a longer commute.

If the final package comes in around 45k, I think with my warchest and public service pension kicking in in 4 years, I could live with that.

[Old Greg]

Not unless I get offered the position.



I've looked at a plan b and c which I'd really like to do but, there's just no money in them never mind enough to make them worthwhile. OK, that may mean they are the wrong plan b and c but finding something that works and would bring in a couple of grand a month is a real challenge.

As I said, Im looking to stop working in 4 to 5 years max so, a decent paying permie role would do that. Hell, I'd rather stay contracting and work for 26 weeks in any 52 but then agents and clients say 'why cant you hold down a contract for more than 26 week?' Trying to explain the 'work \ life balance' just goes over their heads.

What multiplier of typical daily rate are you looking for for annual salary / 'package'?

[BlasterBates]

LOL! Dont worry, I got that one covered

Still a long way to go though. Although the recruiter was happy with my explanation at the switch, he still has to sell me to them.

I mean just to throw more petrol on the fire, some silly agent phoned last night. Got back to them straight away but through to VM. Phoned again this morning and VM again. I mean what is the point?

Tell me about it...I rarely get through. E-mails only and then they phone you. Had one who asked for my tel nr but she never rang in the end. Probably because I´m in Germany, and it wasn´t worth spending a bit extra with so many CV´s on the desk.

[BolshieBastard]

One word of advice, if they ask you why do you want to go permie after so many years of contracting, please don’t say its cuz this is on my doorstep

LOL! Dont worry, I got that one covered

Still a long way to go though. Although the recruiter was happy with my explanation at the switch, he still has to sell me to them.

I mean just to throw more petrol on the fire, some silly agent phoned last night. Got back to them straight away but through to VM. Phoned again this morning and VM again. I mean what is the point?

[SandyD]

One word of advice, if they ask you why do you want to go permie after so many years of contracting, please don’t say its cuz this is on my doorstep

[BolshieBastard]

That doesn't mean you'll be leaving us does it BB

Not unless I get offered the position.

The world is definitely changing partly I think because IT is maturing.

Its one reason why I'm taking some time off and rapidly improving plans b and c as I definitely don't want someone else to be my boss.

I've looked at a plan b and c which I'd really like to do but, there's just no money in them never mind enough to make them worthwhile. OK, that may mean they are the wrong plan b and c but finding something that works and would bring in a couple of grand a month is a real challenge.

As I said, Im looking to stop working in 4 to 5 years max so, a decent paying permie role would do that. Hell, I'd rather stay contracting and work for 26 weeks in any 52 but then agents and clients say 'why cant you hold down a contract for more than 26 week?' Trying to explain the 'work \ life balance' just goes over their heads.

[Mich the Tester]

Well best of luck. If you can stick 6 months as a permie you might just get the CUK permiedom record.

[quackhandle]

It's sad to hear but any given warchest can only last a finite amount of time. I've seen my sector pickup in terms of contract roles so still holding out. I still think, whilst IT budgets are put under increasing squeezes companies are still going to need people (ltd companies, sorry nluk!) to come in perform a job for x amount of time, then bugger off again.

Good luck, BB you'll be back.

qh