Reply to: Best contract: Direct to end client or through a consultancy

[AlonsoHarris]

Day to day comfort - option 1. Long term career progress - option 2. I've found the people and orgs I meet and work with via option 2 are more likey to be the sort that will come back to me later on etc.

Direct to an end client can be very pleasant, but you're generally working with perms for that organisation who while usually friendly, aren't likely to pick up the phone to you again in any meaningful way.

I actually attribute much of my contracting success to predominantly working through consultancies - I think it makes for a stronger CV, and forces you stay in the consultant mindset.

Good points and I'd take the point of working with perm further... IME as a contractor I much working with other contractors than perms. Less politics.

[AlonsoHarris]

Yes. Small amendment:

One of the most enjoyable contracts I've done was via a very small niche consultancy run by a really decent and good chap. Anything involving a big consultancy has been an unhappy experience. Apparently I'm not a good corporate citizen.

I hear that!

[AlonsoHarris]

What's the point of giving you advice.. You don't follow it...

https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...ml#post2687122

Been a while since I've been on here so it must've slipped my mind. I'll be sure to follow your advice next time and keep the standards high!

[AlonsoHarris]

Is this hypothetical, or is this a situation you're currently faced with?

Nothing concrete at the minute but I'm anticipating this very situation and want to make the right call.

[Old Greg]

Depends on the consultancy, I guess.

Yes. Small amendment:

One of the most enjoyable contracts I've done was via a very small niche consultancy run by a really decent and good chap. Anything involving a big consultancy has been an unhappy experience. Apparently I'm not a good corporate citizen.

[northernladuk]

What's the point of giving you advice.. You don't follow it...

https://www.contractoruk.com/forums/...ml#post2687122

[northernladuk]

FOG

[vwdan]

Day to day comfort - option 1. Long term career progress - option 2. I've found the people and orgs I meet and work with via option 2 are more likey to be the sort that will come back to me later on etc.

Direct to an end client can be very pleasant, but you're generally working with perms for that organisation who while usually friendly, aren't likely to pick up the phone to you again in any meaningful way.

I actually attribute much of my contracting success to predominantly working through consultancies - I think it makes for a stronger CV, and forces you stay in the consultant mindset.

[ladymuck]

But if I have a choice between contracting with Client A via a consultancy and Client B via a pimp, all other things being equal, I would choose Client B.

Depends on the consultancy, I guess.

[vetran]

whichever pays the best

FTFY direct payment cycles can be awfully long. > 90 days with some large orgs.

[vetran]

Direct. Too many inexpert bs merchants in the consultancies, desperate not to have their reliance on generic management consultancy frameworks shown up by someone who knows what they're talking about.

Is that the bloke who takes over from you?

[Old Greg]

It's fine to have a preference but you often don't get the chance to exercise it. Some clients will contract directly, others won't.

But if I have a choice between contracting with Client A via a consultancy and Client B via a pimp, all other things being equal, I would choose Client B.

[CheeseSlice]

Is this hypothetical, or is this a situation you're currently faced with?

[BR14]

whichever pays the most

[ladymuck]

It's fine to have a preference but you often don't get the chance to exercise it. Some clients will contract directly, others won't.