Progression in contracting IT

[Rayman]

Hi everyone

I'm hoping you guys can help me in this slight rut I'm in at the moment. I've been working in an MSP for the last 2 years and have been sharpening my skills vastly, I would consider myself a senior second line now.

Prior to this I was contracting as a 2nd line engineer, mainly for NHS so you could imagine I wasn't the most technical engineer out there then, was doing the easiest day to day tasks.

My current job is another msp who promised me 3rd line exposure within the first year here. At the moment I'm sick of working for msp because I know too well how they sell dreams, and the staff turnover at the moment is crazy. They currently have me traveling further than agreed to cover a client where the on site guy there left, am fuming.

I'm considering going back to contracting however, I am ambitious and don't want to go back to doing basic tasks like setting up workstations and simple ad work, ideally I would like to work up to 3rd line level soon enough but not sure if this is possible in contracting.

Should I just go for the plunge and look to dive into contracting at a 2nd/3rd line level, do you have to be the absolute best and specialised in something to get a 3rd line contract? Or should I stick this out and get the experience first?

Sorry for the life story, appreciate any advice you guys have

[MonkeysUncle]

Stick it out to get the experience.
People hire contractors for what they know, not what they could know while learning on the job. Thats what a permie does.

I would recommend that you try and get the experience now, either at work or doing it personally if need be.

[milanbenes]

Rainman,

you lost me there

Milan.

[northernladuk]

Stay perm. Climb the career ladder and then go contracting when you are ready. You'll earn twice the rate so just see it. As an investment. You'll still be in the same boat in 5 or 10 years if you just keep dipping in and out of contracting.

And do a bit of research on the different parts of the forums before posting you cockwomble.

[Mordac]

Rainman,

you lost me there

Milan.

He wants to learn how to change backup tapes. Could you give him some pointers...

[milanbenes]

He wants to learn how to change backup tapes. Could you give him some pointers...

hello Mordy

how are you doing

how is your friend MF

Milan.

[Mordac]

hello Mordy

how are you doing

how is your friend MF

Milan.

TFA Beansey, I'm doing OK thanks. Your good self?
I haven't heard from MF lately, but from his posts on here it would appear he's still as grumpy as usual.

Mordy

[Cirrus]

A lesson I learned a long time ago was capitalism runs on selling what you can theoretically deliver, not what you've got. I saw this in a small but successful IT consultancy, and then later in one of the top handful of global IT brands.

I can also tell you that absolutely contractors can learn on the job. I've seen it. The key is you have to be able to do this without the client being aware. Training is not an option.

Always be prepared to apply for something beyond what you've done already. You need to be able to massage your CV to support the aspirational representation of your skills and experience. And of course, you have to have confidence that you can look like, and behave like, the person you are selling if you get the job.

And always remember, at the end of the day, you can take the risk of failing as it's not terminal when you are a contractor. You just re-model your CV and off you go for the next sale.

(Incidentally, and I've done this many times, you may also in the future need to dress yourself up as something from a lower level than you've actually been operating. Nobody gets prizes for being honest)

[OwlHoot]

A lesson I learned a long time ago was capitalism runs on selling what you can theoretically deliver, not what you've got. I saw this in a small but successful IT consultancy, and then later in one of the top handful of global IT brands.

I can also tell you that absolutely contractors can learn on the job. I've seen it. The key is you have to be able to do this without the client being aware. Training is not an option. ..

Absolutely! Over the 20+ years I've been contracting I've hopped from one language to another at various clientcos, most recently migrating from perl to python and C++.

And it hasn't always been by stealth. Some clients are so laid back they're happy to let a contractor who has proved their worth try their hand at an unfamiliar language.

[milanbenes]

TFA Beansey, I'm doing OK thanks. Your good self?
I haven't heard from MF lately, but from his posts on here it would appear he's still as grumpy as usual.

Mordy

doing very well thank you

Milan.