Tell me about Contracting (ICT)

[TameRacingDriver]

I've just been made redundant from my job at the local council working in the ICT section (doing standard run of the mill desktop support stuff), so I am going to be looking for new work, and it seems to me that contracting seems like a good way to go, as there seems to be rather a lot of work out there, and not enough people who are willing to take the risk that comes with temporary contracts.

However, I am basically a neophyte to this process, so was wondering if anyone could give me any pointers and advice to get me started. Experiences and what I can expect.

Thanks in advance

[Eric Mc]

Lots and lots of threads on this topic both in this Forum but also in the Business Forum and the Finance Forum.

[Blue62]

Depends on your skills, age and plans for the future. If you're fairly young and looking to develop your skill base and career then you'd be better off trying to get a permanent job, it will be tough coming from the public sector though, but don't let me put you off. Contracting is great if you've got specialist skills, your fully mobile and you're not interested in the career ladder for a few years.

[TameRacingDriver]

Not too bothered about a "career" ladder, just need some income, basically. I'm 32 FWIW.

I'll have a search through pistonheads see what comes up.

[lestag]

You can be expected to have to have MCITP,ITIL, VMware etc certs to get your foot in the door.

[stneville]

My advice on IT contracting is that you need to be above average in your field to make it work. So be honest with yourself look at your qualifications, experience and skills and then look at your colleagues and other people doing the same thing and compare your selves against them.

If you are below average people will be picked for jobs in front of you if there is loads of work out there for your skill set this isn’t so much of a problem. If there isn’t you will most likely be sitting on the bench more than you want to be.

[TameRacingDriver]

Cheers for replies folks. I've had 14 years experience in your run if the mill IT support and probably am of about average ability to be honest... Judging by these replies I think I ask better off just going for anything available whether permanent or contract. Just need money to pay the bills; I would even consider a change of career as the IT support stuff really doesn't do it for me, but not really sure what I could do at this stage of my life, being that i'm not that good at anything else either so to do something like that I'd need a job with training.

[Just want a v8]

I am an IT contractor and its the best thing I have ever done. I only started contracting a few months ago, well 6 and it seems to be working out fine. My only 2 bits of advice are, if you go contract, check when you get paid, some say 28 days after invoicing and the other one is be prepared to work away from home. If you have to work away from home make sure you have plenty of cash to live on before you start. You need to factor in transport, BB, food, everything really.

[omniflow]

stneville said:

My advice on IT contracting is that you need to be above average in your field to make it work.

It's got nothing to do with how good you actually are....

Firstly, does your CV sell your track record?
Secondly, can you sell yourself in interviews?

Alternatively - do you have enough well placed contacts to avoid having to go through the interview process?

Once you're actually in through the door it's not that hard to put in that extra little bit of effort to differentiate yourself (assuming you are basically competent - and even then that's not essential for a PM role)

[ben_h100]

Does having a DV help when applying for ICT contracting roles?

[New POD]

TameRacingDriver said:

a) Judging by these replies I think I ask better off just going for anything available whether permanent or contract.

b) Just need money to pay the bills;

c) I would even consider a change of career as the IT support stuff really doesn't do it for me,

d) but not really sure what I could do at this stage of my life,

e) being that i'm not that good at anything else either so to do something like that I'd need a job with training.

Okay a) Go for anything you are remotely qualified for, and RE-write CV for every role..
b) Yep.
c) Write a list of what you like and dislike and what you are good at and what you are weak on, and realise that in the real world to fix b) you need to do a job you dislike but are good at.
d) You could do anything within reason. Go back to university, become an optician, a prawn star whatever.
e) Don't do yourself down. Yes lots of jobs need training, but lots just need you to spin your skills a bit.