Presentation and a couple of questions

[kaiser78]

Build up some contacts as well, either directly or indirectly, as this is priceless in the big bad (but ultimately satisfying) world of contracting

[MrMarkyMark]

Hi,

I think you are right but there is a point on my side.
I do not think there are so many people with Spark skills out there.
I know it is on demand and pretty sure will stay for a while, I could try to sell BigData skills.
For any other tool I agree, I would have not any chance.
Cheers,
Enrico

Basing a contracting career on a new technology that may be yesterday's dead duck next week.
Really?

[sal]

NLUK and SE summed it up rather nicely.

I wouldn't recommend you going for contracting if your sole motivation is financial. For niche skills perm roles often end up the same as contracts financially in the long run, factoring the gaps between contracts.

Quick Jobserve search shows salary for "hadoop" of 60k+ if you are single and can't save (while wanting to) on such salary i suggest a change of life style.

Also you might want to have at least 3 months worth of funds in advance. Won't be the first permie that left his/her job for a contract only to get the contract cut short for whatever reason ending up with no money for rent and food.

Good luck.

[northernladuk]

Well you had the same advice a few times over and we have more than enough posts like this where someone asks the question and doesn't like the answer they get and argue so there is only one thing to do and that is to out your money where your mouth is and jump in. We've said all we have to say and you don't agree. Good luck.

[edge7]

Contracting is not just money, agree. I think it is different mentality to see the work.
I saw IT level here in London is pretty high, I am not sure which is the contractor level even If I guess it is high as well.
Still, I have some doubts that every contractor has to be Kevin Mitnick to get a good contract.
Could be that demand exceeds supply? It could be the case.

[SueEllen]

I do not think there are so many people with Spark skills out there.
I know it is on demand and pretty sure will stay for a while, I could try to sell BigData skills.

Contracting is more than about the money.

You are bored in a permie job but lots of contracts are boring.

I would also try and get as high up the food chain as possible plus do some talks etc to get your brand recognised that way if you do become a contractor you will have people coming to you.

[edge7]

Hi,

I think you are right but there is a point on my side.
I do not think there are so many people with Spark skills out there.
I know it is on demand and pretty sure will stay for a while, I could try to sell BigData skills.
For any other tool I agree, I would have not any chance.
Cheers,
Enrico

[SueEllen]

Get another permie role.

There is a skills shortage for your type of skills so if you are bored after 10 months or so, then find another permie role.

Ideally you want to go as far up the ranks as possible before you become a contractor and in some cases won't need to bother as you get a management job in a decent company.

[northernladuk]

Clients pay top dollar prices for highly experienced professionals to deliver skills they don't have.
I'm sorry but 2.5 years does not fit in to any of those categories. The only contractors you 'might' get will probably be so low you'd be better of staying permie... and I don't think you'd get them anyway TBH....

Get a couple of years more experience then come back to the market when you've got some solid skills to sell.

[edge7]

Hello,

this is my first post here, my name is Enrico and I would like to ask a couple of questions because I have some doubts about contracting environment in London.

I have bachelor and master degree in Computer Engineering (if it matters) and 2.5 years working experience in IT (1 and half in Italy 1 in London), my focus is in BigData (Spark, Hadoop..), in Milan I was working as IT consultant within a company ( I was not a contractor) and here in UK I am working as Software Engineer for a sport betting startup.
I am not happy with my permie job, I find it pretty boring and also I have no chance to save money due to London prices..
Do you think I could switch in contracting world or I miss experience? In case, what would be a reasonable daily rate?

Cheers,

Enrico