Reply to: Possible first time contractor qs

[madhippy]

Thanks for all the info.

If 1st contract is the hardest, that may suit me as long as the client (see, using the language now) can wait for my notice period...

its not just the client - if you're getting the info from an agent .. they may well think twice about forwarding you for positions ... I heard even up to two weeks notice was too long from some agents ...

[neilh]

Thanks for all the info.

If 1st contract is the hardest, that may suit me as long as the client (see, using the language now) can wait for my notice period...

[madhippy]

all prev exp. perm ...

hear what you're saying Malvolio ... for me getting permie jobs was several times easier than even getting thru the agents for a contract ...

some of the consultancy type work in the past was very similar to contract work - ie turn up at site, do a piece of work, leave .. only difference being there may have been a few people on site you'd worked with in the past etc... so I've no doubt I'd be able to 'adjust'

I'll probably try contracting again - only I'll give it 2/3 months to get the first contract rather than expecting it to come as quickly as the permie job offers ...

[malvolio]

10 years ... all blue chip co's

OK, so you're technically competent. However, as I've said before, the problem is that as a contractor you're in a different marketplace with different rules. Competence is largely taken for granted on the basis that you have been charging people for those skills and haven't failed to deliver.

But as a first timer you haven't got that background, all we have is what you say you can do - so given you and someone who's got a couple of successful contracts under their belt, which one do I pick?

You will get Contract #1 if you're any good at all, but it probably ain't going to happen tomorrow. If you haven't got any useful introductions or recommendations to shortcut the process, or haven't got any niche skills that may be in demand somewhere, be prepareed for a period of frustration. Once you;ve started off, though, it gets easier.

[Troll]

10 years ... all blue chip co's

Perm or contract?

[madhippy]

Good... experience counts!

10 years ... all blue chip co's

[Troll]

just to put my oar in the tuppence worth ...

seems to me it's a lot harder to get the first contract than subsequent ones ...

Good... experience counts!

[madhippy]

just to put my oar in the tuppence worth ...

I've got nearly 10 years experience, last 6 at a consultancy type of place ... less than an hour commute into london - made redundant (kerching) - was looking at going contracting for sometime anyway - ... was available for immediate start etc - in the end took permie again - could get 2/3 permie interviews for every sniff of a possible chance of a contract interview ...

seems to me it's a lot harder to get the first contract than subsequent ones ...

[thunderlizard]

With a public sector background and covering Leeds, Manc and Sheffield you should do fine.

[neilh]

MrsG - yeah, 4 week notice period.

Cheers Badger I will repost in Business

[Clog II The Avenger]

1) Roughly, what % of the daily rate can I expect to come away with (net) after tax and NI?

Ans. Most contractors register their limited companies in the Cayman Islands, the only tax you pay is £500 per year.

2) Is it reasonable to expect to start contracting, and progress with more-or-less continuous employment, working <1.5 hours from Leeds?
I have a young family so would not be prepared to work away during the week (I could maybe do a couple of months if pushed to it)

Ans, Contacting is the best excuse to get away from the family, try Amsterdam, Prague or Bangkok

[Bagpuss]

You need to ask the question in Business. Here people will take the p1ss, unless you are willing to bang on about immigrants/new labour/ house prices/the halcyon days of John Major/Prog rock/Dr Who etc. etc. until death do us part

[MrsGoof]

employment

a permie term, more approrpiate can you find enough customers !

well looking at the link I posted there appears to be plenty of options there.

What is your notice period. If it's 4 weeks then start applying, most (in my experiece) potential customers will wait a month.

edit: note to self "leanr to type"

[neilh]

badom tshhh

I mean work <1.5 hours commute from leeds

[neilh]

MrsG - Thanks for the heads up on the accounting thread - very useful.
Next step will be making tentative enquiries with agencies.

So, anyone have any advice on state of market in north (leeds/manchester/sheff) region, And if it's reasonable to expect to get continuous employment here?