Contract Search Diary!

[Tasslehoff]

Be very wary of this - just because an agent tells you that the client is wary of someone with no experience doesn't mean that they aren't putting you in at a higher rate and then creaming the profit.

If the agent suggests that you cut the rate because the client is nervous about taking someone on without the experience, counter offer - a one month contract with an immediate termination clause. This shows that you are confident in your ability to deliver, plus no-one is taking any risk (apart from you). And since they could terminate your contract with no notice anyway, it's no real loss to you.

I did think that would be a possibility, from the clients point of view they have a budget and they want the best. They are not bargain shopping. Makes sense.

[Tasslehoff]

Don't want to be rude but if you are putting this much time in to logging what you have done you are going to get very demoralised very rapidly. Apply for it and forget it. If it comes up it does, if it doesn't it's forgotten about and you move on. Some contractors apply for 100s of roles and are still on the bench. 4 or 5 years ago I was applying for 10-15 a day! Don't get too hung up or you will get pissed off quicker.

From what I have read you are much more likely to land a gig if you follow it up? I know what you mean though I am over obessing a little. EDIT : A lot, a have a ******* spreadsheet ffs...

Some will say otherwise but IMO avoid doing this like the plague. I got binned by a client sitting in the carpark waiting to go in for the first interview when it turned out two agents put me forward for the same role. They started a bun fight over who had dibs and the client just said forget it. One was in Cheshire, one was in Manchester so I could have been forgiven for applying for both due to the inaccurate location so do your homework and ask the agent if you even suspect it is the same gig.

I got direct feedback that I had applied for the same role twice. Agent was furious and told me it would looks bad to the client (guess he is right) it's difficut without knowing the company name but I guess with experience it become easier.

Again, don't get excited or hung up about it or you will get despondent a lot quicker. You have nothing until you are sitting at the desk first day with a signed contract. We have stories of people being canned while sitting in reception on the first day. Getting excited and expecting gigs is just going to bite you. Get over the shock quick and just let it wash over you like water of a ducks back. Sometimes it is sometimes it isn't. Bottom line is it matters squat. Gig is not yours move on.

Easier said than done, esp for the gigs you really want! I will try though

Absolutely not. They offer an amount because they want a level skill. They are not interested in paying less for less experience. Offering a reduction is showing a weakness and it will only end up in the agents pocket. He won't reduce the cost to the client. You are either worth a rate or you are not.

Also don't fall in to the trap of disrespecting agents. They are not pimps, they are agents. They can be a bit sneaky but it is the business. Don't start on the wrong foot and go in to an agent hating mode right from day one. They are who they are so all you have to do is set your expectations and manage it. Like it or not they are an essential part of the process so deal with them professionally, particularly when you are starting out. That doesn't mean let them pull the wool over your eyes or screw you at every opportunity. If you start with the attitude it will show in your dealings with them which you cannot afford right now. Save that until you have experience and are much more marketable. Then you can start playing them as you know the clients want you and the agent is just a middle monkey.

From my experience with contractors who have worked alongside me as a permie I am worth the rate (imho)
, I just thought it might sway things in my favor. Looks like thats a rookie mistake. Laughing now because I asked asked an agent "do you think it would help if pitched myself at £X" to which the reply was "Yes, definitely". I just need to decide my day rate and stick to it.

Thanks for the advice chaps it is really appreciated.

[malvolio]

As a hirer myself I will agree about the double-booking. The agent is there to make my life easy and I'm not interested in sorting their territorial disputes.

As for following up, you will quickly discover every agent in the world works away from their desk at all hours and have marvellous write-only answerphones. Plus the guy you're talking to almost certainly isn't the guy making the decision (always check the agent on LinkedIn, some are laughably under-qualified for the job). The good ones are too valuable to the agency to waste them on admin tasks.

[Tasslehoff]

So I scored a gig!

It's local ish. A little bit below market rate but happy with it for my first contract.

Was very suprised how many of the interview questions were "tech" questions. I am used to a mix of soft skills and tech but it was pure tech. Decided to go with Umbrella will probably move to Limited once I get my head around things.

Thanks for all your advice, I certainlly learnt a lot over the past few weeks which will stand me in good stead when I need to search again.

[TheFaQQer]

So I scored a gig!

It's local ish. A little bit below market rate but happy with it for my first contract.

Was very suprised how many of the interview questions were "tech" questions. I am used to a mix of soft skills and tech but it was pure tech. Decided to go with Umbrella will probably move to Limited once I get my head around things.

Thanks for all your advice, I certainlly learnt a lot over the past few weeks which will stand me in good stead when I need to search again.

Well done. Your second contract will probably be harder to find - by then you'll know the ropes, know what to watch out for, and have set your expectations to get paid better as well

[Tasslehoff]

Well done. Your second contract will probably be harder to find - by then you'll know the ropes, know what to watch out for, and have set your expectations to get paid better as well

True, I am hoping for true market rate for my 2nd contract. I hope that does not make me too choosey.

It's very true what they say, after landing the contract I have had 3 (3!!) calls today all from leads I thought were dead offering interviews.

FFS! Nice position to be in I suppose.

[malvolio]

Well done, welcome to the fold.

However, another lesson learned (and one I keep banging on about): contractors are hired for technical ability only and are there to deliver stuff. Soft skills for freelancers are only relevant for senior managers and business change people (like me - so you can see how important they actually are...). So don't be surprised if interviews stick to the narrow topics, they have a narrow requirement.

[edison]

Some observations from my own recent switch from perm to contracting and also being a user of contractors in the past:

1. IT budgets do get challenged during the year and sometimes hiring decisions are put on hold at the last minute. I've worked for one of the largest FTSE 100 companies who regularly make billions of profits every year and we regularly had 'budget challenges' during the year to keep a lid on costs. One year, one of my project budgets was cut almost 90% and so the staff required fell.
   
2. Don't undersell yourself. Despite doing research on rates for a few months and speaking to contractor friends, my initial notional rate was actually 25-35% less than what was on the market when I finally made the switch.
   
3. I'd question the value of applying for so many roles. Most job hunting guidance suggests targeting your applications. I suppose it depends on how commoditised your skills are though and whether you are just playing a 'numbers game.'
   
4. Think about using your personal network to find opportunities, not just job boards where it's so easy for people to upload their CV and apply for dozens of roles. If 50 people are applying for the same role as you each time, it will be very competitive.

[Eirikur]

I got direct feedback that I had applied for the same role twice. Agent was furious and told me it would looks bad to the client (guess he is right) it's difficut without knowing the company name but I guess with experience it become easier.


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The agency is required by law to tell you who they are going to forward your CV to. If they don't tell you, it's their problem if your CV ends up twice at the same desk They look stupid, not you.
They often don't want to tell me and I tell them they can't forward my CV in that case. They are then quickly to come forward with the name or if they still don't say who it is the role is probably fake.

[cojak]

The agency is required by law to tell you who they are going to forward your CV to. If they don't tell you, it's their problem if your CV ends up twice at the same desk They look stupid, not you.
They often don't want to tell me and I tell them they can't forward my CV in that case. They are then quickly to come forward with the name or if they still don't say who it is the role is probably fake.

Prove that statement. Where does it say in UK law that that is the case?

(Although even without the law it is common sense to know where they are going to place you.)