marzman Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Hey guys, Im 33 and have worked with the same company for 11 years and its the only job i've had since leaving Uni. I started as a developer and then moved into Consultancy / Project Management before ending up managing the department. Sadly our company is being run into the ground by a terrible new private equity owner and over half the workforce has left or been made redundant meaning the job is becoming almost untenable for the few that remain. Annoyingly i'm on a 3 month notice period which makes me feel somewhat trapped... I've started looking for new jobs and have applied for a couple (on the same or slightly less money). However what im starting to think about now is contacting. Does anyone here do it or know people that have done it? I think i could very easily do software project management contracting and work on different projects at different companies short-medium term, as this sounds very similar to what my job used to be before i moved into management. If you have any info, what's it like? How do you get treated? And do you really end up able to earn the high amounts that appear to be possible (e.g. £350 a day is about £80k per year once holidays and bank holidays have been taken out). At that rate I could work 8 months of the year and have 4 months off! Can anyone recommend any good sites to find contract positions or am i best signing up with an agency? And the big question... should i just hand my notice in now with the hope of getting a conny position at the end of my 3 months notice???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I contract, self employed, LTD company, although in a completely different trade to you. Best is to sign up with a few agency's and let them get the work for you. Depending who you end up working for, you can be treated like total conny scum or like an adult. Judging when to pack in your permy job is a bit of a gamble, Usually when i get a call the agency want me to start asap and you pack and off you go. End of the day, you are your own boss and you can do what you want. will be very difficult to go back working for a boss again. PM me if i can help you further Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I'm an IT contractor, LTD. Check out Jobserve for contract jobs and do get agencies working for you too, Capita, Hays, etc. The best bit of advice I can give you is get a good specialist accountant who knows about contracting. I find compared to employed work you're expected to be more flexible and do more hours when needed, but the rates are good and if you can do a good job there often extensions available, so you don't change as often as you expect. Although the headline rates are apppealing, you do need to factor in Corporation Tax, VAT and also self assessment, so it's good to stock pile cash early on in order to be prepared for any tax bills and periods without work. Also if you end up working away, renting flats or hotel bills can be a wedge of your daily rate. Also, at the minute the whole contract world seems to be failing over itself for Agile people, so a qualification is super useful. Shoot me a PM with any questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 27, 2017 Share Posted July 27, 2017 Im an IT specialist in the SQL Server field (London based) and work as a contractor through my own LTD and have done so for 8 years or so now. Contracting is the reason I was able to afford the GTR and its the reason why at the end of this year I am able to step away from IT completely. So I am whole-heartedly behind contracting! The trick is learn how to live on a smaller salary every month, not having masses of expenses, etc. You also end up with spare/excess cash in the company (I term it "Forced Savings") but there are ways to eventually get the money out. Admittedly, the first 3 months were scary as hell, but now I wouldn't hesitate to not do it. I am constantly trying to talk friends into doing it.... I quite happily took a month off earlier in the year just to spend time with my girlfriend who wasn't working at the time and with all my holidays, I take of 2-3 months per year. PM me if you want specific info or questions, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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