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Previously on "Finding a contract role"

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  • XLMonkey
    replied
    Originally posted by Francko
    Too much, now you are acting like Milan.
    Can't help it, I'm a monkey. [Sex three times a day, that's what being a monkey is alllll about]

    though at this moment, I can also highly recommend a bottle of McWilliams Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, which isn't quite as good as sex with Mrs Monkey.

    But it comes close.

    Leave a comment:


  • Francko
    replied
    Originally posted by XLMonkey
    Oooh oooh ooh oooh

    Aaaah hahah haaahaa a aaa ahhhha a a a a

    [spins around pointlessly slapping head whilst simultaneously sniffing the arse of all nearby females to see if they are in heat]


    better?
    Too much, now you are acting like Milan.

    Leave a comment:


  • Dundeegeorge
    replied
    Oh for goodness' sake

    Originally posted by XLMonkey
    Oooh oooh ooh oooh

    Aaaah hahah haaahaa a aaa ahhhha a a a a

    [
    Put more cold water in your bath. Tsk, primates nowadays, I don't know.

    Leave a comment:


  • XLMonkey
    replied
    Oooh oooh ooh oooh

    Aaaah hahah haaahaa a aaa ahhhha a a a a

    [spins around pointlessly slapping head whilst simultaneously sniffing the arse of all nearby females to see if they are in heat]


    better?

    Leave a comment:


  • Francko
    replied
    Moderator, please ban XLMonkey for giving a sensible and helpful advice. He is certainly not compliant with the rest of the group and the other monkeys.

    Leave a comment:


  • Lex
    replied
    Thanks for the replies.

    So none of you guys working in banks? I'm looking to remain in banking but work as a contractor so was wondering if anyone here had any particular/specific advice on the perm -> contractor move within investment banking.

    Cheers.

    Leave a comment:


  • XLMonkey
    replied
    Welcome to the jungle. Hope you enjoy the wildlife.

    Recommend that you sign up with www.pcg.org and read the guide to contracting. This will cover pretty much everything you need to know about the administrative and legal sides of the market.

    On getting your first role, there are two ways of getting a contract:
    1. Win it yourself. Contact all the people you know/have worked with who may be involved in hiring contractors/consultants. Ask for work. (this is, in fact, a lot easier than it initially appears, but most IT spods don't have the cojones or the experience to just get out and do it)

    so most people do option 2....

    2. Get someone else to win it for you.

    the advice so far is pretty good - jobsite, jobserve, and CWjobs seem to cover 90% of the market.

    The only other thing that you may wish to try (depending on whether you can stump up the cash in advance) is to offer the agents an incentive for placing you. In essence, it works like this:
    - you sign up with c. 4-5 agents that place the sort of work that you want to do, and find the name of an individual agent (not hard, they will be all over you like a rash).
    - you write to them stating the type of role, rate and location that you're looking for
    - you offer them a cash reward for the first one that places you (somewhere between 500 and 1,000 ought to do it)

    You will be sold within a week. The agents will not be personally making 500 from selling you (they will probably not declare the payment to the taxman, either), and they will compete like hell to take the money.

    Other tips....

    www.jobstats.com is my bible for getting up to date information on market rates by location and skill type. It also gives you information on the top agents (by name as well as company).

    you are almost always better off setting up a limited company to trade through (unless you are operating at rates below about 250/day). At rates lower than this you may as well use an umbrella company.

    since this is your first time. have a banana

    Leave a comment:


  • Lex
    replied
    Anyone here working in an investment bank? If so, was wondering what your experience was of finding these types of roles.

    Cheers.

    Leave a comment:


  • The Lone Gunman
    replied
    Originally posted by Ruprect
    I've only ever sent my CV in reference to specific roles on Jobserve - you get enough spam as a result of this endeavour, let alone posting it on the website... however I'm sure you'll find someone here who's had a positive experience doing this...somewhere....maybe?
    Depends on your market. Many of the agents I have contact with search the databases first before ever advertising the position. I was offered a job a couple of weeks ago that has only just been advertised and I am up for one in a few weeks that wont be advertised if I get the gig.

    Leave a comment:


  • Lex
    replied
    Originally posted by Clog II The Avenger
    I’ve published a down loadable book “How to be an IT Contractor” It is only £75. Are you interested?
    Err No. Am sure you are earning enough as it is!

    Leave a comment:


  • Clog II The Avenger
    replied
    Originally posted by Lex
    Now now! I realise my bad ways and hence have come to the conclusion that the only smart thing to do is go contracting. I have had enough of the politics, ridiculous hours, no reward blah blah. I simply want to do my work and be paid. Surely you can empathise?
    I’ve published a down loadable book “How to be an IT Contractor” It is only £75. Are you interested?

    Leave a comment:


  • XLMonkey
    replied
    Originally posted by The Lone Gunman
    Oh yeah, learn to spell or develope a thick skin cos the spelling mafia live here.
    until
    today's
    develop

    Last edited by XLMonkey; 13 July 2006, 15:33.

    Leave a comment:


  • Lex
    replied
    Now now! I realise my bad ways and hence have come to the conclusion that the only smart thing to do is go contracting. I have had enough of the politics, ridiculous hours, no reward blah blah. I simply want to do my work and be paid. Surely you can empathise?

    PS: This is in response to Andy's reply
    Last edited by Lex; 13 July 2006, 15:15.

    Leave a comment:


  • Ruprect
    replied
    I've only ever sent my CV in reference to specific roles on Jobserve - you get enough spam as a result of this endeavour, let alone posting it on the website... however I'm sure you'll find someone here who's had a positive experience doing this...somewhere....maybe?

    Leave a comment:


  • The Lone Gunman
    replied
    Originally posted by Lex
    Hi folks,

    I am currently a permie and have just started looking for contract roles. My question is what is the best way to look for contract role, is it simply to view sites like jobserve and apply for jobs directly via the website? Or should I send my updated cv to as many agents as possible?

    I noticed on jobserve there is a facility to allow registered agencies to gain access to your CV, is this a good idea? Or will I get lots of SPAM/contacted for roles that are not relevant at all?

    How many of you have your CV searchable like this?

    Any other good tips would be most welcome.

    Many thanks.
    Wrong thread but I am feeling generous so no slagging.

    IMHO you need to be as visible as possible. Post your CV where you can. Browse the job sites every day and apply for anything you think you are suitable for pointing out that you are available for similar positions.

    The down side is that the sharks will gather and you will get spammed with all sorts of irrelevant jobs. Some of it is fishing trips by agents looking for contacts and others looking to pad out their list of contractors on their books.
    Try not to get sucked in always ask them for a rate, location and job description before answering their questions (avoid answering at all if possible).
    Treat anything they tell you with suspicion untill you have proof its true and come back here and read the advice threads or ask questions if unsure.

    Make yourself familiar or get a good advisor with regard to IR35 and the conduct of agents act, these two are major issues for you.

    Here endeth todays lesson.


    Oh yeah, learn to spell or develope a thick skin cos the spelling mafia live here.

    Leave a comment:

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