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Need to get on a first contract

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    Need to get on a first contract

    My first post.... here goes

    How can I begin my first contract as a contractor on a day rate? Really need to get out of doing what I am at the moment. PAYE slave! Easiest first steps to freedom. Any decent starter courses or fields I need to look at.

    How do I look for gigs and where?

    Need some help here please!

    #2
    Welcome!

    You'll find a lot of answers to your questions within the CUK website.

    On the right you'll find CUK Navigation. >>>>>>>>>

    Look down and you'll come to the First Timers section. Have a read through there.

    Umbrella or Ltd? Look here: Setting up your company - Ltd or Umbrella?

    Basic expenses questions answered here: Contractor Expenses - How to claim Travel and other expenses via Limited Company or Umbrella

    Then pay particular attention to IR35.

    And here are the rules when using company credit cards: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/payerti/exb/a-z/c/cards.htm

    If you go into the Accounting/Legal forum you'll discover the thread Basic advice when running your own contractor business.

    Guide to Contracts also has some good articles.

    Do you want advice on the state of the contract market for your specialism/location? Have a look at this website; it will answer most if not all of your questions: IT Jobs Watch, Tracking the IT Job Market

    And finally - accountant recommendations - Ta-da!

    Happy reading!
    "I can put any old tat in my sig, put quotes around it and attribute to someone of whom I've heard, to make it sound true."
    - Voltaire/Benjamin Franklin/Anne Frank...

    Comment


      #3
      And when you have read and digested all that, read it again. Seriously, read it again.

      And then (before NLUK gets in here) remember this one thing: YOU. ARE. RUNNING. A. BUSINESS.

      So act accordingly.

      Good luck

      qh
      He had a negative bluety on a quackhandle and was quadraspazzed on a lifeglug.

      I look forward to your all knowing and likely sarcastic and unhelpful reply.

      Comment


        #4
        I hope you have thick skin OP, some people here don't take any prisoners when responding to posts like yours!
        So try not to get too discouraged by the replies if you get mauled.

        Can I assume you don't work in IT and hence may not be that contracting savvy?
        I say that because most IT permies have a pretty good grip on the contractor world so should not need to ask opening questions like you have or rather in the way you have.

        What is your field of expertise if you don't mind saying and how many years?
        So now I am worried, am I being deceived, just how much sugar is really in a spoon full!

        Comment


          #5
          Have no speciality, but was thinking of doing the iseb foundation and intermediate course to get on the ladder.

          Maybe then will get a change of direction in career prospects.

          No not in IT at the moment

          Everyone starts somewhere.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by J2YSK View Post
            Have no speciality, but was thinking of doing the iseb foundation and intermediate course to get on the ladder.

            Maybe then will get a change of direction in career prospects.

            No not in IT at the moment

            Everyone starts somewhere.
            OK, so it seems a reality check is necessary.

            People hire employees on the basis of what they can do, immediately and in the future. People hire contractors on the basis of what they have delivered, and almost always something they have done that is very similar to what they want doing now. So paper qualifications get you past the idiot at the agency but will mean nothing without genuine, supporting experience. And given your opposition will be someone with that experience, your chances of getting hired without it are slim to non-existent.

            So you can't look at contracting in terms of a career (in fact that is the first thing that goes out of the window) much less as a career change.

            You may of course be lucky and manage to find something. But don't bet the mortgage on it.

            HTH.
            Blog? What blog...?

            Comment


              #7
              Mmmm, what I thought...

              Need to get through the courses then get a job and then after a few days go look for a gig....

              Got to start somewhere!

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by J2YSK View Post
                Have no speciality, but was thinking of doing the iseb foundation and intermediate course to get on the ladder.

                Maybe then will get a change of direction in career prospects.

                No not in IT at the moment

                Everyone starts somewhere.
                Not in contracting they don't. They start with sellable skills which are (arguably) better than the permies and get brought in to apply those skills from day one.
                'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by J2YSK View Post
                  Mmmm, what I thought...

                  Need to get through the courses then get a job and then after a few days go look for a gig....

                  Got to start somewhere!
                  None at all??

                  Get a job as a service desk analyst/in a customer services team and work up from there. Permanent or contract (although these kind of contracts are rare and poorly paid because either they have been off-shored or anyone can do them).

                  We are all contractors because we know our work and can start work as soon as we walk through the door.
                  "I can put any old tat in my sig, put quotes around it and attribute to someone of whom I've heard, to make it sound true."
                  - Voltaire/Benjamin Franklin/Anne Frank...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Both are correct, but seen some blag their way in and now not doing too badly. Was thinking maybe need a change in direction. But thanks for the views guys. Will not be embarking on this mission just yet I think. Before I read a few books at least.

                    Might be become a mortgage broker... I wonder if that's any good?

                    Comment

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