Reply to: Should I make the move in to contracting?

[TouchSpark]

yeah yeah yeah )

I think I will wait till the new year and make a decision ... thanks for all the advice!

[ratewhore]

Yes I am. Currently a security architect on a large programme. As I say, there's no work around and you should really be looking at a permie role with a large consultancy...

[Advocate]

I was web appsec, due diligence etc, now doing technical risk analysis; more boring. Workin' on the mainland. Might look for a more hands on return after this gig.

[ft101]

You in London? What area of infosec?

I'm app security predominantly, bit of everything IS related though.

[Advocate]

I am.

[ft101]

Advocate and Ratewhore, are you both infosec?

[Advocate]

If anyone with InfoSec skills asks whether they should go contracting I say no. Mainly because I want the pool of skilled, experienced people to remain small.

It's a really rotten market right now so if I were you, join one of the big consultancies...

WHS, stay permie and leave more opportunities for us ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H avoid the downturn.

[ratewhore]

If anyone with InfoSec skills asks whether they should go contracting I say no. Mainly because I want the pool of skilled, experienced people to remain small.

It's a really rotten market right now so if I were you, join one of the big consultancies...

[DodgyAgent]

You need to careful about the agents out there. Oh, hi DA

We'll look after you

[BA to the Stars]

You need to careful about the agents out there. Oh, hi DA

[DodgyAgent]

I have a strong Information Security background !

Are you the one responsible for carrying around all the data disks for various govt departments?

[chris79]

From reading your pitch it would seem that one of your main selling points is your MSc. I too have an MSc, same age etc, but after 2 years contracting I've found that this doesn't really go far in the contracting world as the client is mainly interested in specific skills to do specific jobs (i.e. certifications and experience etc). The MSc only works as a bonus to kind of guarantee them that you can do work to a higher standard, so don't expect people to pick you based on that.

If you pull together a CV for contracting roles, they need to be based around skills/experience, check on the site here there is an excellent guide to writing a contractor style CV, it differs a bit from your perm type CV. Having stuff like ISO 27001 experience etc will be very useful for clients seeking expertiese in this area, so use this as much as anything to sell yourself. Try jobserve.co.uk and jobsite.co.uk to get a feel for what is out there, if you can travel and stay away a few nights a week to get stuff under your belt then it might pay off, the amount you would earn would easily cover such costs.

[ft101]

If someone asks "should I become a contractor" my response is always an emphatic no. Contracting isn't something you should go into without being fully aware of the risks and being committed to a quantum shift in lifestyle.

On the other hand when people ask me HOW to become a contractor because they've decided they want to then I will give them all the info I can.

If you have to ask then the answer is very much NO.

Fair point, and good advice.

My own position was very different - no job and nothing to lose, plus I have always wanted to run my own business. I have a long term plan to gain a small number of clients working in a niche industry.

If I had been in your shoes, as I have previously, I would consider very carefully the pros and cons before leaving your current role.

[Advocate]

There's quite a few infosec roles on the mainland at the moment...

[TykeMerc]

If someone asks "should I become a contractor" my response is always an emphatic no. Contracting isn't something you should go into without being fully aware of the risks and being committed to a quantum shift in lifestyle.

On the other hand when people ask me HOW to become a contractor because they've decided they want to then I will give them all the info I can.

If you have to ask then the answer is very much NO.