Reply to: Starting Contracting... Now?

[GreenerGrass]

Lets translate this:-

1. Background of feeling discontent in a permie job.
2. Selling yourself as the 'ideal' personality for contracting.
3. Oblivious to the current market conditions.
4. No backup/savings, but a cover story for why this should be ignored.
5. A distraction statement to ensure nobody suggests researching the situation.
6. Encouraging a discussion about the current economic climate.

Verdict: Sockpuppet.

You forgot
7. Skillset of "Frontend Web Development" (esp in current market conditions)

[chris79]

6. Encouraging a discussion about the current economic climate.

Because its relevant, fool.

Steady on, a dogmatic attitude isn't always neccessary you know.. perhaps there's more to your situation than you told us?

p.s. still think you're a sockpuppet until you convince me otherwise.

[Zippy]

Good on you apipo. Have a beer <psssstttt>

[The Lone Gunman]

It seems that they are encouraging me to go permanent with them and basically said they would try to get me a permie job there ASAP.

Be careful of this. They want a permie. They may take you on as contract, but once you sart the contract may evaporate and they will say you can only stay if you accept a permie position.

[apipo]

Update

So I went for the interview and it went very well. They seem like a great place to work and I think my skills would be great for their team. I think it's really not that hard for me to get jobs :-/ I'm still scared of contracting though... but I generally like dropping myself into situations where I sink or swim as it brings the best out of me.

It seems that they are encouraging me to go permanent with them and basically said they would try to get me a permie job there ASAP.

To chris79:

1. Background of feeling discontent in a permie job.

Meh.

2. Selling yourself as the 'ideal' personality for contracting.

Meh.

3. Oblivious to the current market conditions.

Meh.

4. No backup/savings, but a cover story for why this should be ignored.

Meh.

5. A distraction statement to ensure nobody suggests researching the situation.

Er, why did I post to this forum? Seems like a great place to do research, no?

6. Encouraging a discussion about the current economic climate.

Because its relevant, fool.

But apart from that you are right, I am a sock puppet :-) You got me!

[Zippy]

Too hungry for Twiglets, lets order some pizza. what toppings will I get?

Bit of cheese with extra jalapeno please.

What does his DVD collection look like? Was a bit pervy at the last party.

I'll pop to the off licence.

[alreadypacked]

<pssssstttttt> There you go.

Twiglet?

Too hungry for Twiglets, lets order some pizza. what toppings will I get?

[Zippy]

Should we really start a party when the host is not here

Never stopped us before

Beer for me too please

<pssssstttttt> There you go.

Twiglet?

[alreadypacked]

He'll probably go for it so can we open a beer now?

Should we really start a party when the host is not here

Never stopped us before

Beer for me too please

[Zippy]

He'll probably go for it so can we open a beer now?

[DS23]

get a contract in holland then you can spend every day up to your eyeballs in tulip.

[alreadypacked]

Okay so my plan is to put my name out their with Agencies directly to see if they want me even with a months notice. It has to be worth trying and I already have an interview to see if I'm suitable when they get work in.

I do not think I'll go for it quite yet but that depends largely on my interview and if they think they can give me regular work for 3-6 months.

If it all goes wrong I guess I'll just have to start sleeping on the streets and become a hobo ;-) Or of course there may still be some permanent roles out there should things go wrong.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Andy.

Good luck, but you really have to be prepared for things to go very wrong. Have you any experience working for a large consultancy? I found that the nearest experience to working as a contractor.

Waiting around for a role.
Arriving on client site for a very urgent project, no login or access to network.
Client complaining you have not completed tasks (still no login)
Arriving on client site to integrate a Unix application to a windows environment.
How do you handle yourself at meetings, can you raise the right issues, stand your ground.

If you don’t have consulting experience, try it, see if it’s for you. Also it will help your CV.

My name alreadypacked came from my time in consultancy, my manager would ring me from an airport somewhere telling me which country I was supposed to be in. My answer was always “Don’t worry I am already packed”

Sounds nice spend the weekend sitting by the pool in at some 5* hotel somewhere, but not if you would rather be at your best mates birthday.

When you get back and have to fight to get your expenses’ back etc.

Try it first, see if you can handle it.

Contractors are usually brought in on crap projects, are you prepared to spend every day up to your eyeballs in crap?

[kaiser78]

Go for it! I dithered for 2 years before it became a no brainer and haven't looked back. It's certainly not for everyone though and market is tough right now. So long as you put money away for time on the bench and don't spend as if you are on 200K salary, you'll be in good shape. Good luck

WHS

Go for it but be prepared to not find anything straight away. Make sure your CV stacks up and has professional and personal usps.

Good luck

[singhr]

Go for it! I dithered for 2 years before it became a no brainer and haven't looked back. It's certainly not for everyone though and market is tough right now. So long as you put money away for time on the bench and don't spend as if you are on 200K salary, you'll be in good shape. Good luck

[chris79]

So, I'm pretty tired of my current workplace (a very large bureaucratic Internet company which shall remain nameless). I like the idea of being able to move from place to place and interact with a vast range of people/clients. I think I'm more than capable of doing the job (largely Frontend Web Development) for anyone to an extremely high standard in a contract setting.

My only question is how is the job market for (IT) contractors these days. I do not have a lot of savings at the moment and that is part of the idea behind changing my current situation.

I've read many of the guides on this site already and I'm thinking contracting could be an amazing lifestyle, I just want to make sure that I don't end up in a bad situation - I guess that is the risk I have to suffer for the rewards but I don't wish to go into doing this blindly!

Any advice about making the switch (particularly with relation to the current economy) is most welcome!

Thanks,

A.

Lets translate this:-

1. Background of feeling discontent in a permie job.
2. Selling yourself as the 'ideal' personality for contracting.
3. Oblivious to the current market conditions.
4. No backup/savings, but a cover story for why this should be ignored.
5. A distraction statement to ensure nobody suggests researching the situation.
6. Encouraging a discussion about the current economic climate.

Verdict: Sockpuppet.