Reply to: Need to get on a first contract

[J2YSK]

Figured out what sockie meant, thanks for whoever called me that... not nice at all.

[cojak]

This is the Welcome forum. Sockie callouts are not allowed here.

[Bee]

Welcome!

You'll find a lot of answers to your questions within the CUK website.

On the right you'll find CUK Navigation. >>>>>>>>>

Look down and you'll come to the First Timers section. Have a read through there.

Umbrella or Ltd? Look here: Setting up your company - Ltd or Umbrella?

Basic expenses questions answered here: Contractor Expenses - How to claim Travel and other expenses via Limited Company or Umbrella

Then pay particular attention to IR35.

And here are the rules when using company credit cards: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/payerti/exb/a-z/c/cards.htm

If you go into the Accounting/Legal forum you'll discover the thread Basic advice when running your own contractor business.

Guide to Contracts also has some good articles.

Do you want advice on the state of the contract market for your specialism/location? Have a look at this website; it will answer most if not all of your questions: IT Jobs Watch, Tracking the IT Job Market

And finally - accountant recommendations - Ta-da!

Happy reading!

So kind, i'm impressed.
Strange

[stek]

And what's born agent?

Sorry, I meant Björn Agent, he's a famous Swedish songwriter and bottom-feeder.

[J2YSK]

And what's born agent?

[J2YSK]

How can I become a mortgage broker?

Dodgy no not me!

Maybe jack of all trades, everyone starts somewhere some get lucky...

[stek]

No experience, no real idea about IT, no real skills.

You are born Agent my friend, PM DodgyAgent, he might looking for a new boss.

[cojak]

Both are correct, but seen some blag their way in and now not doing too badly. Was thinking maybe need a change in direction. But thanks for the views guys. Will not be embarking on this mission just yet I think. Before I read a few books at least.

Might be become a mortgage broker... I wonder if that's any good?

Yes, you might become many things.

And I will be keeping a close eye on you as you progress in your career through CUK...

[northernladuk]

Might be become a mortgage broker... I wonder if that's any good?

Yep it's great.

[J2YSK]

Both are correct, but seen some blag their way in and now not doing too badly. Was thinking maybe need a change in direction. But thanks for the views guys. Will not be embarking on this mission just yet I think. Before I read a few books at least.

Might be become a mortgage broker... I wonder if that's any good?

[cojak]

Mmmm, what I thought...

Need to get through the courses then get a job and then after a few days go look for a gig....

Got to start somewhere!

None at all??

Get a job as a service desk analyst/in a customer services team and work up from there. Permanent or contract (although these kind of contracts are rare and poorly paid because either they have been off-shored or anyone can do them).

We are all contractors because we know our work and can start work as soon as we walk through the door.

[northernladuk]

Have no speciality, but was thinking of doing the iseb foundation and intermediate course to get on the ladder.

Maybe then will get a change of direction in career prospects.

No not in IT at the moment

Everyone starts somewhere.

Not in contracting they don't. They start with sellable skills which are (arguably) better than the permies and get brought in to apply those skills from day one.

[J2YSK]

Mmmm, what I thought...

Need to get through the courses then get a job and then after a few days go look for a gig....

Got to start somewhere!

[malvolio]

Have no speciality, but was thinking of doing the iseb foundation and intermediate course to get on the ladder.

Maybe then will get a change of direction in career prospects.

No not in IT at the moment

Everyone starts somewhere.

OK, so it seems a reality check is necessary.

People hire employees on the basis of what they can do, immediately and in the future. People hire contractors on the basis of what they have delivered, and almost always something they have done that is very similar to what they want doing now. So paper qualifications get you past the idiot at the agency but will mean nothing without genuine, supporting experience. And given your opposition will be someone with that experience, your chances of getting hired without it are slim to non-existent.

So you can't look at contracting in terms of a career (in fact that is the first thing that goes out of the window) much less as a career change.

You may of course be lucky and manage to find something. But don't bet the mortgage on it.

HTH.

[J2YSK]

Have no speciality, but was thinking of doing the iseb foundation and intermediate course to get on the ladder.

Maybe then will get a change of direction in career prospects.

No not in IT at the moment

Everyone starts somewhere.