Start contracting now or later?

[majestic579]

Hi all long time lurker here , fantastic site for insight on contracting Im at a point where I would need seasoned advice on what I should do at the moment? I'm in a complex situation - its doing my head in!!

if I can list it out where I am - and I am keen to get back on the contracting wagon again!!

1) last time contracting was 2013 (networks and storage)
2) got married 2013
3) ran sole trader business from 2014-17 (cctv and large wifi deployments)
4) separated 2017
5) business declined due to stress and pending divorce e.g moving house
6) went on ESA benefits
7) sept 2018 started university course PGCE (thought of career change teaching IT)
8) oct 2018 divorce and financial settlement agreed
9) settlement received Jan 2019
10) settlement could affect my benefits and student loan/grants in the main.

Do I continue my course till June or start contracting so I can buy property while prices are favourable before Brexit? its doing my head in cos in one hand my course is boring ASF!
Id rather be doing tech work and the other hand is financial challenges due to settlement.
I had thought of part time contracting while I do my uni course- hard to find and rates probably not high enough to secure a self build mortgage im also not sure if PGCE (higher education)has any bearing on contracting anyone know if any IT training contracts that has the same pull of rates comparative to the norm?

How long does it take to get a contract? last time of memory back in 2012 it was 3 months

hope you can help guys!

[northernladuk]

Sorry but there is little to no chance you'll find part time contract work. Part time is hard enough to find for very experienced guys let alone one with history such as yours.

There are a lot more people contracting now so some good candidates available for gigs. Not like the good old days. You are going to have to be pretty solid to get a look in so you are going to have to be prepared for a wait. That said you could get one tomorrow. Such is the way of contracting but without solid experience I wouldn't bank on it.

No way would even to begin to guess what you so in that situation personally. If it was a matter of comparing facts we could have a stab but you've got some decisions from the heart there if you get my meaning.

What's with the house prices and Brexit? I haven't been watching. I thought there was more likely going to be another hefty drop and possibly a crash first? Either way I wouldn't be making life and career decisions based on Brexit personally.

[majestic579]

Thanks Northernlad yeah totally understood all that - I think it might be worth it to chance some interviews at least but then if offered a role I have the dilemma of dropping out of uni before its finished .. im the sort who hates waiting!!

updated skills is my worry as most the contractors gain new skills on the job and Im out of it since 2013 doesn't mean I wouldn't be able to get at it though...it just costs too much dough to skill up to scratch at the mo wish student loans would pay for private courses as well as universities...would be a boon for contractors.

anyway seeing it might be a wait for a role might as well start applying.. - Brexit is a worry though crash of economy and higher mortgage lending rates etc - gonna have to have some sort of game plan!!

[simes]

I doubt you would have a chance for part time contracting, irrespective of being on top of your knowledge game.

Is there any reason why you can't pop up a CV on all the sites and see if you get any bites. Apply to roles here and there; same thing re bites. Surely that will be the deciding factor.

Once you get a role, I am betting any course can be continued part time, in the evening etc. Maybe it won't even be necessary once the funds start rolling in and knowledge is increased through experience.

Anyway, push to shove, what will a teaching career ever pay you? Especially if you're looking to fast track a house purchase?

Best of luck sir.

[northernladuk]

updated skills is my worry as most the contractors gain new skills on the job and Im out of it since 2013 doesn't mean I wouldn't be able to get at it though...it just costs too much dough to skill up to scratch at the mo wish student loans would pay for private courses as well as universities...would be a boon for contractors.

The problem is it's not just skills you need. You need demonstrable experience delivering those skills. You could have every bit of paper possible but the client will be paying top dollar for a specialist that has implemented something similar before. Which builder would you pick? The one that hasn't put a wall up in decades but has lots of qualifications or one that has a long list of finished products and happy customers?

Contracting isn't there for dipping in to for a bit of random work, it's for selling solid skills and years of experience (generally)

[majestic579]

I doubt you would have a chance for part time contracting, irrespective of being on top of your knowledge game.

Is there any reason why you can't pop up a CV on all the sites and see if you get any bites. Apply to roles here and there; same thing re bites. Surely that will be the deciding factor.

Once you get a role, I am betting any course can be continued part time, in the evening etc. Maybe it won't even be necessary once the funds start rolling in and knowledge is increased through experience.

Anyway, push to shove, what will a teaching career ever pay you? Especially if you're looking to fast track a house purchase?

Best of luck sir.

Thats what I was thinking from what Im looking at the private sector in teaching isn't gonna suit me I should have taken on a computing course a masters or what not but if I drop out ill have to pay back the fees albeit lower than if I was to finish it....what ill do is hang on and apply like **** and get the right role ratio to daily rate and puck it on I do have plenty of experience though. anyone wiling to review my cv? thank

[majestic579]

Contracting isn't there for dipping in to for a bit of random work, it's for selling solid skills and years of experience (generally)

Totally agree Northern!

[Lance]

Thats what I was thinking from what Im looking at the private sector in teaching isn't gonna suit me I should have taken on a computing course a masters or what not but if I drop out ill have to pay back the fees albeit lower than if I was to finish it....what ill do is hang on and apply like **** and get the right role ratio to daily rate and puck it on I do have plenty of experience though. anyone wiling to review my cv? thank

Is your CV written in English or is it like this post? If the latter then it won’t get you any work.

[majestic579]

Is your CV written in English or is it like this post? If the latter then it won’t get you any work.

Honestly....are you a keyboard warrior? or just love lecturing people? not helping much are you? while I do appreciate the previous posts, Ive taken the advice well on board.

[Old Greg]

Is your CV written in English or is it like this post? If the latter then it won’t get you any work.

The post you refer to is in English.

HTH