This Business and Moment...

Tell them why you want x, rather than just stating “I want x”.

For instance, “I think x is reasonable because I am not the most experienced candidate but I make up for it with proven results. Starting mid scale gives me wiggle room and is in line with the job I applied for”.
 
ChrisD. said:
Thanks guys.

I think the end customer is desperate for the VMware PSO engineers, or VMware are desperate to fill the positions since I'd imagine they won't get paid until they do. Either way I am not putting in my notice until I see a contract.
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This is probably due to VMware shifting focus to the Master Services Competencies with Partners, the 2018 VMworld was full of "enabling our partners to do our PSO work". My understanding is that they are reducing the amount of FTE PSO Engineers and contracting these functions out until the partner ecosystem grows. Great time to be a contractor in this space, good luck with the role!
 
Ah right, that's good to know and I'll have a look into it. Thanks for the info. I have been told it's going to be a 3 year programme of work, I'm not complaining if it is as the rate is really good!

I start next Thursday. I spoke to the VMware PM yesterday and he seems a really nice bloke. For the first part I'm doing my Mon-Fri hours in 4 days so I'll have Fridays off, very happy with that as well. I really can't wait.
 
Couple of interesting things from yesterday. Apart from spinning plates like a MF, I had a really interesting meeting with a guy from the energy sector who deals in solar power networks and they have created a p2p microgrid type networks using LoRa sensors to create a mesh network and not rely on GSM due to remote locations. Each node on this network will produce power (could be a house, lamppost, business etc.) through solar panels and then some will consume (houses and businesses). If you create 1000KW per day, and only use 500KW, that surplus is then shared with other nodes on the network that require more power. They have no way at the moment to manage the crediting of nodes for sharing that energy with other nodes. They have a community of 120 nodes for a pilot, and it seems to be what Power Ledger are doing from Aus, but unsure the tech behind power ledger and if it's using the same lora tech for off grid and off GSM network locations, but they're pretty heavyweight. Guy asked me how I'd like to be involved, as I could do with more to do. I really like the idea, but man what a mountain and they will need some cash monies for it.

On the Novartis front, it's dull AF right now, but I was talking to a very good mate who happens to be the director of software engineering and connected to everyone here. He asked me if I knew anyone doing blockchain at novartis as he met up with some guys about it and what novartis was doing in that space. I don't, and haven't met anyone here. Turns out he met with some v. senior folk, one of whom is the chief digital officer here. I've asked if he would be able to connect me with all this lot, as I read their presentations and they're amateur as anything, so great potential to do some great stuff in here, or at least get a job that's more interesting :P we will see where it goes anyway!
 
Anyone here do Software contracting? I see lots of IT bods but what about us Engineers?

I'm a Senior Dev with 8 years C/C++/C# experience, fed up with the lack of opportunities in perm roles and crap salaries outside of London - considering contracting.

My main concern is where to be geographically, I really don't want to have huge commutes that change every 6 months. But if I move to London I might aswell be permie as the salaries are £LOL?
 
Reading. I’m in software engineering and contracting. Reading and around Oxfordshire have been the best for day rates for me.

Reading has actually offered better than London in a lot of roles. London only seems to be great if you’re in one of the big fintech companies.
 
Over the past few years I've noticed day rates in London are lol, and not lol in a good way. I'm looking at about 10% more for working in the big smoke. I remember when I first started contracting and it was a good 30% minimum and more. 10% doesn't cover the travel and accommodation so not really worth it for me. I guess remote working has a lot to do with this. But then a lot of companies are no where near mature enough at middle management level to realise the advantages it gives.
 
Yes London is not worth it for contracting apart from niche.

Currently I'm a bit outside Bath on ~52k as a perm, feels like the ceiling is fast approaching. In London I could definitely double my salary, maybe more but I'm not too keen on the lifestyle anymore. I like my clean ish air and quietness.

Outside of London contracting, I think I could expect £400/450 day rate but I'm worried about finding somewhere with a good enough density of roles that I don't have to move house every year. What are the best job websites for contract roles? Maybe I can start recording them within ~20 miles of me and get some ideas of the hot places.
 
Chris1712 said:
Outside of London contracting, I think I could expect £400/450 day rate but I'm worried about finding somewhere with a good enough density of roles that I don't have to move house every year. What are the best job websites for contract roles? Maybe I can start recording them within ~20 miles of me and get some ideas of the hot places.
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As I say, Reading is worth looking at. £450+ is pretty standard for engineering roles here and there's plenty of them. I’ve found exceeding that rate pretty easy.

I use CWJobs first off to scan but nothing beats using LinkedIn for contracting
 
Jobserve and CW are good, but I find LinkedIn and building up a network of recruiters who specialise in contract recruitment the best.

I've never really considered anywhere outside of London for my area, @Steedie is there much demand round your way for what I do, do you know?
 
Maccy said:
Jobserve and CW are good, but I find LinkedIn and building up a network of recruiters who specialise in contract recruitment the best.

I've never really considered anywhere outside of London for my area, @Steedie is there much demand round your way for what I do, do you know?
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Before I got extended here, I looked for jobs to stay in and around Reading and found there to be plenty, especially as we're coming up to the start of the new financial year
 
Steedie said:
Before I got extended here, I looked for jobs to stay in and around Reading and found there to be plenty, especially as we're coming up to the start of the new financial year
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Closest one I could find not in London was in Portsmouth, 12 months up to £425/day.
 
Maccy said:
Closest one I could find not in London was in Portsmouth, 12 months up to £425/day.
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Depends where you look. I never find anything on job sites, which is why I only use them for a scan. I always reach out to the handful of recruiters I know are top notch and they always have loads of local stuff going
 
Got an interview lined up for Thursday as FP&A Manager for a very successful organisation in Brighton, apparently based on CV I'm the leading candidate so just need to not muck up the interview! They're doing the 2nd interview straight after the 1st one as well which is not something I'm come across before but I suppose it has it's benefits.

I have a couple of apprehensions about the role/location but hopefully nothing that should stop me furthering my career, it's hard to find something I'm happy about job security wise with Brexit looming but this feels very safe.
 
I'm happy to have found something new before brexit, however the new place is a large bank specialising in credit cards for people with bad credit ratings, so if anything they're likely to benefit from a slow down in the economy and all that brexit will bring :o:p:D

4 weeks, 3 days...
 
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