Reply to: Do not jump into contracting now!!!

[Dow Jones]

Point well made

Turion has definitely got a point, although some of you prefer to rubbish it, mainly that it's all about timing (pretty much like entering the property market) and choosing yourself the best circumstances to do it rather than jumping on the last bandwagon (which is likely to come off the rails at that point). Circumstances differ for each and everyone and we all reach certain times in our lives that are like 'checkpoints' in a project, where decisions have to be made. I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from going into contracting, as long as they have a lot of patience and perseverence. If you are lucky and get a 12m solid contract as a starter, then you're oozing confidence, otherwise you may be on the 'treadmill' all the time and that takes its toll. I've known/seen a lot of guys drifting in and out of permie/cont positions without any thought or plan. My point is that the people that are best equipped to 'weather the storm' in IT are the ones that have been around at least once (2001-2003, also 1991-1993), in the same way (if I can use the property analogy) that the best property investors are the ones that have learnt from mistakes during 1989-1994 (and possibly 1975-1979).

[BrilloPad]

The Ivor Bigun contracting test...

'Would I have prefered to keep contracting?

- Yes if I was younger and without responsibilities - I've met too many divorced, alcoholic contractors (sad, lonely and broke from the Alimony)

- Yes if the contracts were on my doorstep - they no longer are - not worth the expense if coming home every weekend

- Yes if the rates had kept pace with inflation - They haven't (Used to be 1K a day

- Yes if my skillsets were still rare - They aren't - one word - India

- Yes if my skillsets are in demand by clients - Still needed - for now!
'


I got 3 out of 5, guess that means it's still contracting for me.

Milan.

I got 2 out of 5. But I dont see how rates can keep pace with inflation - not with the government treating us as glorified typists.

[milanbenes]

The Ivor Bigun contracting test...

'Would I have prefered to keep contracting?

- Yes if I was younger and without responsibilities - I've met too many divorced, alcoholic contractors (sad, lonely and broke from the Alimony)

- Yes if the contracts were on my doorstep - they no longer are - not worth the expense if coming home every weekend

- Yes if the rates had kept pace with inflation - They haven't (Used to be 1K a day

- Yes if my skillsets were still rare - They aren't - one word - India

- Yes if my skillsets are in demand by clients - Still needed - for now!
'


I got 3 out of 5, guess that means it's still contracting for me.

Milan.

[Shimano105]

Post of the day for me that Biggun.

[Turion]

I've never been on the bench but if i was i would get a job in tescos

You'd probably need to 'tailor' your CV to get HR to seriously consider you for a job as a late night shelf stacker.

and practise questions like: "Where do you think you will be in 5 yrs", and "Why should we let you join our team"

[Ivor Bigun]

Quitting when ahead

After contracting for many years, I've gone back to Permiedom.
I've earned stacks as a contractor and had a nice time - great!

Would I have prefered to keep contracting?

- Yes if I was younger and without responsibilities - I've met too many divorced, alcoholic contractors (sad, lonely and broke from the Alimony)

- Yes if the contracts were on my doorstep - they no longer are - not worth the expense if coming home every weekend

- Yes if the rates had kept pace with inflation - They haven't (Used to be 1K a day

- Yes if my skillsets were still rare - They aren't - one word - India

- Yes if my skillsets are in demand by clients - Still needed - for now!

1 out of 5 ain't good enough to settle the money vs suitcase living debate.
I worked out that the permie job equates to 9 months a year contracting. It used to be 4.5 months!
I can work at home and the office is a few miles away.

I'm happy with my choice - Made my money and nothing to prove.

Anyone who contracted in the Nineties can tell you that THAT was the time to be a contractor. Constantly being feted by agents because of the shortage, rates going up, no competation for any roles, paid expenses - man we lived like kings! - it was sweet!

Going contracting now? Its a bit like mining for gold - all the good seams have gone - just scraps left.

[Meerkat]

My present client is mid way through a raft of redundancies in the IT dept and then backfilling those jobs with contractors. In about 2 months the entire project management team will be contractors and the rest of the 100 person IT department will be 70/30 contractor/permie. And this is a public sector quango with supposed job security. Any permie jobs in PM up here in scotland that would pay what i get contracting would demand the level of hours and stress that i have no intention of giving....i have a life outside work that i like and work to fund this. I've never been on the bench but if i was i would get a job in tescos/bar working nights to bring in some dosh while job searching during the day. wouldnt sit around stratching my arse waiting for the phone to ring

[Tingles]

I'm 46 and don't seem to have any problems getting contracts in the £425 - £525 per day rate range - outside London.

Perhaps Service Management is different........?



T

[EternalOptimist]

Turions tone sounds very familiar. Turion , do you know what an EB is ?

[Shimano105]

Time to brush on my DIY skills I reckon...

[HRH]

Can you explain in detail with evidence and research (links) to back up this statement. I'm sure many 'members the board' would be interested to know?

Hey Im just the doctor I didn't make the needles sharp! I think you'll find that in general this is the case, it’s sad but true. I personally like the policy of B&Q who actively recruit the elder gentlemen to roam the aisles; they tend to be so much more knowledgeable and polite than the knuckle scrapers employed by the likes of KFC.

[Francko]

are you joking or trolling?

clients seem to think that IT workers should be aged under 35. or Indian. or both.

aged under 25, Indian and costing 10 dollars an hour

[SueEllen]

Can you explain in detail with evidence and research (links) to back up this statement. I'm sure many 'members the board' would be interested to know?

Concrete statistics on agism like with all "isms" is actually hard to find.
When you discriminate against people unless you are stupid, you don't tell them you are discriminating against them - you tell them that they won't fit into the team or company structure.

[BrilloPad]

Can you explain in detail with evidence and research (links) to back up this statement. I'm sure many 'members the board' would be interested to know?

are you joking or trolling?

clients seem to think that IT workers should be aged under 35. or Indian. or both.

having said that I am 45 and contract in an IB. But I doubt I will last much longer. Amazed I have lasted the 19.5 years in city contracting which I have.

[Turion]

As long as people are aware that at 40+ you are pretty much unemployable and make hay while the sun shines they will be ok.

Can you explain in detail with evidence and research (links) to back up this statement. I'm sure many 'members the board' would be interested to know?