Advice re contracting

[Jon1]

Good Afternoon Guys,

I hope this is the correct forum for this question and I assume that you guys are the right people to ask...

I've worked in IT for 14 years, never had a problem finding a job or progressing my career, however I'm beginning to think about leaving full time employment and having a go a contracting for a few years. I am just wondering, from your opinion.. what is the market like at the moment? Is it hard out there? Are people fighting for contracts?

It's a tricky situation for me as I'm currently sat in a cushty little role in public sector.. however the salaries are low but the job is secure. I've just turned 30 and I think there is much more experience to be gained out there.

My current certs are;

RHCE
RHCSA
MCITP Ent Virtualisation Specialist
MCSE

And I have a fair amount of experience in all aspects of IT including security, cisco, palo alto etc...

I guess my questions are;

How is the market right now?
Would you recommend contracting to someone?
What certs/skills are in high need at the moment?

I'm sorry if I'm asking obvious questions, but we have to start somewhere right?

I really do appreciate any help

Thanks
Jon

[cojak]

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!

[northernladuk]

I've just turned 30 and I think there is much more experience to be gained out there.

What do you mean by experience? When you go contracting you will be selling your existing skills. There isn't much scope for learning new tech or being put in areas where you can progress your 'career'. It's possible but it's not a given. You could end up using the same tech for the next X number of years at which point you have to go permie to re-skill.

If you after experience and learning contracting isn't really the place.