Reply to: I can't do what they hired me to do

[smatty]

Subject Matter Expert (the permie who's been there for 20 years)

Also can mean smeghead, Kryten style. My preferred interpretation of it.

If your boss is technical then surely they would be aware that you can't use this particular bit of software as it's not on your CV. So either they're happy to help you fill in the gaps so just go speak to them about your concerns or this entire thing is shenanigans and IHBT.

[TopNotch]

Blagging it...

I had a job like that once.

I'm now a respected expert in the particular technology in question.

So how's it working out for you Chief Inspector???

[tractor]

.

I'm a new IT contractor into my 2nd day contracting at a new firm. I had my interview and my CV clearly lists my skillset which I went through with the chaps in the interview.

However upon arrival they've set me a task to design an infrastructure with software I've never used, have it communicate with more software I've never used - and the Lead guy who normally runs things has left for a month to get married so there's no information anywhere. I have no problem with learning new things but they expect deadlines akin to those of someone with years experience and I have to chair a meeting soon about the technology I've only just picked up.

I went home last night and learnt as much as I could to give myself a fighting chance but I feel these people's expectations are above what I can provide - unfortunately my boss is technical and scrutinising everything so I can't even wing it with a bad job. I feel out of my depth and would like to leave and start another contract with someone else. What options do I have, if any, so that I don't get sued for breach of contract? Should I wait to just have my contract terminated?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Contractors have been responding to this kind of situation successfully since the dawn of contracting. Jeez, clients and agents always ask for 2 years experience of tools and technologies that haven't even been released

Just get on with it. Today, communication between platforms is rarely EDI or old fashioned handshaking and physical ETL (except maybe for seeding and implementation tasks), we have stuffs like XML Schemas for comms. We have had workable API's for years.

Good luck with it, as others have said, find all the relevant SMEs within the org and lean on them, they are the EXPERTS. Google is your friend.

[gables]

Subject Matter Expert (the permie who's been there for 20 years)

LOL

Ta

[Antman]

HLD, LLD I get... SME??

Subject Matter Expert (the permie who's been there for 20 years)

[BlasterBates]

Just a note, it's not uncommon to think "sh**te I'm out of my depth"

You will never start on a contract where everything is like your previous permie job, or contract.

But yes it's possible you've bitten off more than you can chew.

[gables]

HLD, LLD I get... SME??

[bobspud]

I'm a new IT contractor into my 2nd day contracting at a new firm. I had my interview and my CV clearly lists my skillset which I went through with the chaps in the interview.

However upon arrival they've set me a task to design an infrastructure with software I've never used, have it communicate with more software I've never used - and the Lead guy who normally runs things has left for a month to get married so there's no information anywhere. I have no problem with learning new things but they expect deadlines akin to those of someone with years experience and I have to chair a meeting soon about the technology I've only just picked up.

I went home last night and learnt as much as I could to give myself a fighting chance but I feel these people's expectations are above what I can provide - unfortunately my boss is technical and scrutinising everything so I can't even wing it with a bad job. I feel out of my depth and would like to leave and start another contract with someone else. What options do I have, if any, so that I don't get sued for breach of contract? Should I wait to just have my contract terminated?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

This is how contracting works and in truth one of the only ways you will ever improve or increase your skills ever again, now that you are no longer a permie with lots of training budget.

Sometimes its easier to design for something you know nothing about as it allows you to re-learn old paradigms and think about what you are doing more than banging out yet another Sharepoint thing or whatever you normally do.

First thing first do what the others have suggested make sure you understand the requirements.
block the progress with that point until you know enough to get a rough design out the door. in most organisation you will find that requirements will change day on day for at least a month if not managed by the PM.
Find your SME (the bod that will build it and see what they have to say)

Take the mix of
what they want
what the she knows
and what you found out about the product and make that into an HLD

Now drive the SME into helping you put the detail into the LLD.

Thats architecture 1 o 1 and any architect that designs without asking an SME is heading for trouble.

[kevpuk]

I'm not sure you're really cut out for contracting...

NLUK alert

[Sausage Surprise]

Thanks to everyone for the serious responses.

This isn't a case that I can't do it - I've read documentation and taught myself the technology, it's just the speed and quality I think the client is expecting.

I'm only 3 days in, what would happen if I speak to my boss and request they terminate my contract and there's no need to pay me. I'll happily not be paid if it means I don't get sued. Is this something that they might accept?
Would my recruitment agent - who is effectively the one paying me and with whom I signed the contract, will they attempt to sue me?

My questions are: Who should I speak to about terminating the contract and what are the possible implications? Serious answers only please.

I'm not sure you're really cut out for contracting...

[oscarose]

learn on the job - sometimes the best way I've found.

[rurffy]

Thanks to everyone for the serious responses.

This isn't a case that I can't do it - I've read documentation and taught myself the technology, it's just the speed and quality I think the client is expecting.

I'm only 3 days in, what would happen if I speak to my boss and request they terminate my contract and there's no need to pay me. I'll happily not be paid if it means I don't get sued. Is this something that they might accept?
Would my recruitment agent - who is effectively the one paying me and with whom I signed the contract, will they attempt to sue me?

My questions are: Who should I speak to about terminating the contract and what are the possible implications? Serious answers only please.

This is exactly why people miss their luck and don't grow.
For some reason i think you are at the right place at the right time. Use that opportunity mate!! Dont be a scary bloke!

And be friendly with you boss - you can do it if you dedicate your time.

Ok. enough of my encouragement!
Do what you want!!!

[evilagent]

Thanks to everyone for the serious responses.

This isn't a case that I can't do it - I've read documentation and taught myself the technology, it's just the speed and quality I think the client is expecting.

I'm only 3 days in, what would happen if I speak to my boss and request they terminate my contract and there's no need to pay me. I'll happily not be paid if it means I don't get sued. Is this something that they might accept?
Would my recruitment agent - who is effectively the one paying me and with whom I signed the contract, will they attempt to sue me?

My questions are: Who should I speak to about terminating the contract and what are the possible implications? Serious answers only please.

Quantify what you can do, and what you cant.
What are they expecting you to do that is on your CV.
What are they expecting you to do that is not on your CV.

If you can say "I can do 80% of this", etc, they/you can gauge whether its worth keeping you on, and helping you skill-up.

If the workload isnt on your CV as a skill, tell them that, and also the effort you made to skill-up.

If the "I can do XX%" is high enough, they may give you workload closer to your skills; if too low, they may decide to drop you.

Proactively approach them, and quantify what you can do, and what you cant.
I might want to wait until they have signed at least 1 timesheet though!!

[jmo21]

I'm only 3 days in, what would happen if I speak to my boss and request they terminate my contract and there's no need to pay me. I'll happily not be paid if it means I don't get sued. Is this something that they might accept?
Would my recruitment agent - who is effectively the one paying me and with whom I signed the contract, will they attempt to sue me?

My questions are: Who should I speak to about terminating the contract and what are the possible implications? Serious answers only please.

If you really want to quit, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Usually you hand in your notice to your agent, but in this instance I feel talking to the client about it might help, and might remove any hassle from the agency.
Go to your client contact, tell them why. Tell them you are giving them your notice period whatever that its (month etc), but you are happy to leave immediately, or with a day's handover for anything you might have done.

[suityou01]

Listen to SY01. He's an expert on this.

<nodding>