Role Change & Contracting

[Attempted Insights]

Hello CUK!

So after a month of lurking the forums, reading the pros and cons everyone supplies to budding contractors, laughing at the sarcasm and some of the responses - I've decided to register and make my own post.

Initially my question was going to revolve around perm vs contracting salary benefits, but that's been answered often enough.

This is more of a career/trajectory question which I'm hoping people can shed some light on. Oftentimes I've read the phrase 'your career goes on hold as a contractor', but I'm hoping to get some clarity on this.

I have 3 years experience as a tech management consultant (architecture, BA, PM, governance, data analysis), and have been offered a 6 month contract role as a 'Reporting & MI Analyst'. This involves working on Microsoft Access, Tableau, and potentially Power BI and some other dashboard/analytical tools. ClientCo is a global organisation, and there are multiple contracts available including BA/PM roles which I'm more interested in.

While I would be building on my skillset in reporting and some of the basic tools used across financial services, my plan is to continue with some online courses I'm doing in data visualisation tools, complete a BA certificate, and also the Scrum Master qualification.

In your experience, do contractors usually get pigeon-holed into specific roles (i.e. will I find it hard to break out of the Reporting & MI bucket), or do the right conversations, demonstrable experience, and qualifications allow for some movement/flexibility? E.g. 6 month contract is coming to an end, I've performed well, impressed the client, and we both want me to remain within the organisation - however in a different role. Does this ever happen? Am I being delusional?

Thanks.

[northernladuk]

I have 3 years experience as a tech management consultant (architecture, BA, PM, governance, data analysis), and have been offered a 6 month contract role as a 'Reporting & MI Analyst'. This involves working on Microsoft Access, Tableau, and potentially Power BI and some other dashboard/analytical tools. ClientCo is a global organisation, and there are multiple contracts available including BA/PM roles which I'm more interested in.

So.. it doesn't matter what you are interested in. It's what demonstrable skills do you have allowing you to deliver the services the client wants. I'm afraid with three years of general experience I'd say you've close to none. It's a tough market so you've got to ask yourself, what are you? Being a generalist is no use at all. You've got to have solid experience in what you do.

That said 'Reporting & MI analyst just sounds like a body at a desk to me. Hardly a highly specialised role. The fact you've a very short and general history kind of backs that up.

If they think you are good enough for that role would also indicate you aren't good enough for the others. Back to my comment about being highly skilled and having demonstrable experience.

While I would be building on my skillset in reporting and some of the basic tools used across financial services, my plan is to continue with some online courses I'm doing in data visualisation tools, complete a BA certificate, and also the Scrum Master qualification.

Not much use when trying to secure contracts I am afraid. There are countless people out there with 10's of years experience on the bench so you'll be at the back of a very long line with nothing to offer but some certifications.

In your experience, do contractors usually get pigeon-holed into specific roles (i.e. will I find it hard to break out of the Reporting & MI bucket)

Yes they do. If you have many many years of cross functional but related work you can flit between. I've seen PM's with Service Management on their CV's but they are probably highly experienced in both. The challenge you have is getting passed the agent. His income relies on you and he has very little time. He'll do a keyword search and if your last gig doesn't match EXACTLY what he wants you'll go in the bin. They aren't looking for good, able people. They are looking for someone to deliver a very focused piece of work. With your 3 years it's just going to further dilute your CV so a read will have no idea what you can actually do.

or do the right conversations, demonstrable experience, and qualifications allow for some movement/flexibility? E.g. 6 month contract is coming to an end, I've performed well, impressed the client, and we both want me to remain within the organisation - however in a different role. Does this ever happen? Am I being delusional?

In you case, and I'm not being rude, I'd be erring on the latter. You are a contractor now. An expensive, specialised resource. You do not stay on and move in to a different role because you've impressed the client. That's pure permie thinking. If you did that you've got some possible IR35 issues. You stay on because you are the best on the market to do the role they have. No on the job training, junior roles or anything. You are playing with the big boys now.

We often say the hardest gig to get is the second one. Your first one can fall in your lap while you are comfortably bringing income from your first job. With the second one you are on the clock. No income relying just on your warchest you built up in the first gig. With little to no experience in anything really this is going to be a very uncomfortable time.

IMO you need to decide what you want to be, go get a permie job in just that role, get 5+ years experience and then think about selling your skills in a highly competitive market.

[Attempted Insights]

So.. it doesn't matter what you are interested in. It's what demonstrable skills do you have allowing you to deliver the services the client wants. I'm afraid with three years of general experience I'd say you've close to none. It's a tough market so you've got to ask yourself, what are you? Being a generalist is no use at all. You've got to have solid experience in what you do.

Fair and agreed.

That said 'Reporting & MI analyst just sounds like a body at a desk to me. Hardly a highly specialised role. The fact you've a very short and general history kind of backs that up.

Linking the two points I've quoted - does a contract role provide you with the specialised role experience, and solid experience to use as a baseline?

We often say the hardest gig to get is the second one. Your first one can fall in your lap while you are comfortably bringing income from your first job. With the second one you are on the clock. No income relying just on your warchest you built up in the first gig. With little to no experience in anything really this is going to be a very uncomfortable time.

IMO you need to decide what you want to be, go get a permie job in just that role, get 5+ years experience and then think about selling your skills in a highly competitive market.

Appreciate the advice. Will need to spend some time thinking about it.

[northernladuk]

Linking the two points I've quoted - does a contract role provide you with the specialised role experience, and solid experience to use as a baseline?.

Absolutely not. If you don't have the right skills and experience you won't get the gig so you can't increase your skills and experience if you get me. You've got to drop the permie thinking of learning on the job. You get the gig for being exactly the right person for the task in hand. If there is an advert for a PM to run a data centre migration there will be plenty of PM's that have done this before who will get the gig. They won't pick a PM that's done a desktop migration to have a go.

You MIGHT get offered a junior PM role after your MI one. I am sure it happened at one point but I would forget this if you are looking to build a career. This type of thing will be incredibly lucky and rare so not worth considering.

Contracting is about selling your skills and experience not getting them. Forget all that at your stage.

Others will jump in and say they've increased their skill base or actually changed job functions during contracting but as I said earlier they will be highly experienced people that are building on their already deep experience.
You simply do not come in to contracting untrained and inexperienced and expect to learn it and improve. You make a mistake in permie land people help you and you learn. You do it in contracting you get shown the door the same day.

[northernladuk]

Mind me asking what the rate is for that gig? Somewhere in the region of £220-320 a day?