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Considering becoming a contractor

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    #21
    Originally posted by ianbhenderson73 View Post
    Good afternoon fellow forumites.

    I was wondering if I could get some honest feedback from others that have taken the leap and become IT contractors.

    The company I work for (who shall remain nameless until I no longer work for them) have decided that the BI function that's currently provided from two sites within their UK operation is one which can better be provided by staff in India, which means that I and 12 other people will be redundant as from the end of September.

    I've been with the company in its various incarnations for the past fifteen years, so I'm going to be walking away with a fairly good redundancy package. I've always toyed with the idea of being an IT contractor and picking up short-term contracts, but because I've had a permanent position I've been unwilling to take that leap into the unknown. Now though, that opportunity is presenting itself.

    I've been in IT since 1995 and would say that the majority of my skills lie in database administration, specifically around Microsoft SQL Server (2005/2008). I know that there are various ways in which to set up as a contractor, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me any pointers on the best way to go about it.

    TIA

    Ian
    Have been working in SQL/Data Warehousing/ETL for over 4 years in a contracting capacity. I'd just say you have to be top notch to compete in this market otherwise you risk the bottom end of rates/lots of bench time in between. Rates can vary from £200/day all the way up to £600/day depending on how good you are and how specialised you are. It's hardly worth it at £200/day but definitely worth it at the other end. It all depends how good you are and whether you offer more value than just being a developer.

    One permie guy put his notice in at current clientco over 2 months ago and left a month ago. He is still yet to land his first contract and he has very low rate requirements.

    Comment


      #22
      Originally posted by eek View Post
      did you have your annual appraisal yesterday?

      You seem to be repeating the stock phrases from it..
      When the going gets tough, the tough take the afternoon off sick

      As it happens I'm giving appraisals today
      What happens in General, stays in General.
      You know what they say about assumptions!

      Comment


        #23
        Originally posted by ianbhenderson73 View Post
        Not helpful.
        General
        (175 Viewing)
        All hope abandon ye who enter here. Seriously.
        Did the title of this are of the forums not give you a clue what it is like? Saying that if you had read the list of forum areas you might have posted your question in the right area to start with.
        'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

        Comment


          #24
          Originally posted by tarbera View Post
          stay in your job till sept 2016 when outsourced BI staff can atually take it over, or go this september come back October as a contractor and fix the issues
          If I don't remain in-post until the end of September, I forfeit my redundancy package which is definitely not something I want to do. Being honest though, once I get out of here I'm going to do my very best to avoid any further dealings with the largest company nobody's ever heard of!

          Comment


            #25
            Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
            Did the title of this are of the forums not give you a clue what it is like? Saying that if you had read the list of forum areas you might have posted your question in the right area to start with.
            Spoil sport -
            "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

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              #26
              Originally posted by ianbhenderson73 View Post
              If I don't remain in-post until the end of September, I forfeit my redundancy package which is definitely not something I want to do. Being honest though, once I get out of here I'm going to do my very best to avoid any further dealings with the largest company nobody's ever heard of!
              I don't know some of us here may have contracted for them.................

              Anyway do you like gladiators?
              "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

              Comment


                #27
                Originally posted by MarillionFan View Post
                When the going gets tough, the tough take the afternoon off sick

                As it happens I'm giving appraisals today
                So what are you doing on your afternoon "off"...
                merely at clientco for the entertainment

                Comment


                  #28
                  Originally posted by ianbhenderson73 View Post
                  If I don't remain in-post until the end of September, I forfeit my redundancy package which is definitely not something I want to do. Being honest though, once I get out of here I'm going to do my very best to avoid any further dealings with the largest company nobody's ever heard of!
                  Sounds like you work at Thales - that's the only place I have ever worked at that absolutely nobody (including recruiters) has ever heard of.

                  Comment


                    #29
                    Originally posted by NorthWestPerm2Contr View Post
                    Sounds like you work at Thales - that's the only place I have ever worked at that absolutely nobody (including recruiters) has ever heard of.
                    I've heard of them.
                    "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

                    Comment


                      #30
                      Originally posted by SueEllen View Post
                      I've heard of them.
                      Contractor/Ex-Contractors aside.

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