IT Contracting

[Baz]

Branching off from this thread,

How do you guys get into IT contracting? if you have a full time job already, you might not want or be able to give up your current position to chance going with a umbrella/contractor and chance not having any work.

And any suggestions on IT contractors that are any good?

What is the rate of pay like compared to a full time position?

 

[Admiral Huddy]

Contract market isn't as good as it used to be i'm afraid. That said, it pays well where there is demand.

I spent 10 years contracting under my own Ltd company and had a hassle free time but things dried up after the Euro and Y2K.. so i got out quickly. I'm glad I did because things got bad and some of my friends were out of worl for a very long time. You have to accept in contracting there are good time and bad, like any business.

Things aren't so bad now.

Working for an umbrella company is a good idea because it saves on a lot of bookwork and they calculate your pay/dividends for you. Plus they are a good way from being IR35 exempt.

If your wanting to jump from a permy job to contract then you may get lucky and get a company that is prepared to wait if you have the skill sets they require.

Your best bet is to contact an agency and ask to speak to their contract team. Ask them what they have, the going rates and the terms available. 6 month and 12 month contracts are very rare nowadays, so you may be looking at 3 months to start.

Be sure it's really what you want because there are other benefits you'll be missing out on, like a pension for example.

Good luck