Returning to work - Advice please

[TheMac]

I'm looking to return to work in IT after 3 years away from it running my own business in the finance sector.
I have 15 years IT experience, last position being a senior manager for support and development teams.

Anyone been in a similar situation? If so, any advice on how to approach the contract market would be gratefully received.

[Lucifer Box]

Just apply for absolutely everything and anything you are capable of doing, no matter whether it's ideal or not. Once you've got three months of contracting back under your belt and a recent referee, no one will care about your "year off" anymore.

[vetran]

Ring round

Chase up all your old contacts at old engagements, see if any of them have any contracts going, for the more remote ones tell them there is a few quid in it for them if they find anything. Your friends make sure you take them out and get them legless, stuffed, shagged etc if they come up with a lead that pans out, if they give you a lead but it goes nowhere take them out for a pint for trying. They will be happy to wait until you get solvent again.

Do the same for them whenever they are out of contract / jobs.

It works, despite being out of contract during the last contractor recession I still made enough money to put food on the table and service the mortgage thanks to little jobs mates lined up for me. Current gig (permie admittedly) is down to a salesman I used to work with.

[MrsGoof]

Make your CV look like youv'e benn doing somthing apropriate over the last 3 years also.

People are often put off by a build up of rust

[expat]

Make your CV look like youv'e benn doing somthing apropriate over the last 3 years also.

People are often put off by a build up of rust

or a stretch for embezzlement.

[TheMac]

Thanks very much for all of your advice.

Thankfully I'm not suffering from rust or embezzlement!

Are there any agencies you'd recommend?

[Lucifer Box]

Are there any agencies you'd recommend?

The one with the gig you want. There is no other criteria really. No point limiting yourself (with the exception of the obvious no go "agents" like CP).

[KLM]

CP - Avoid

The one with the gig you want. There is no other criteria really. No point limiting yourself (with the exception of the obvious no go "agents" like CP).

Just like to second Lucifer's point... avoid at all costs......!

Good Luck....

Kx