The next step: IT contracting
This is the big thing I’ve had in mind recently. I will soon be made redundant from my job and need to find something new. This year I have been for a few interviews (both before finding out about the redundancy and since) and have been offered two jobs, both of which I turned down for different reasons.
As the redundancy applied to an entire department I have seen people leaving already and one of these turned to contracting and started his own company. This has an appeal to me, even though I don’t specialise in application development as he does. I have now started to look into contracts that involve systems engineering, application support, helpdesk support, et cetera, and there appear to be a fair number out there.
This isn’t about making more money - although I’d be disappointed if I made less - it’s about variety and independance. I have almost come to the decision that I will try this path as there’s practically nothing to lose. If it doesn’t work I simply go back to a permanent job.
Today I started my research into contracting, and there’s plenty to read. I’m starting with ITContractor.com as there seems to be some good advice there. I’m also keen to hear your thoughts/advice either as a comment to this entry or send me an e-mail. If I do go ahead with this then you can expect me to write about the whole process.
Finally, if I start my own company then I’ll need a company name. I’ve had a few suggestions but nothing that’s really grabbed me so if you want to help me out there then that’d be great.
December 15th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Only two tips so far..
1. The company name is almost meaningless in IT contracting. It can mean a lot when you’re freelancing, but for contracting the company is just a vessel to make payment easier (and protect you in case you get sued). You’ll pretty much be like an employee in the sense that your reputation & personal name are what count.
2. You will definitely make more money if you work the same hours, although that’s the part you can’t guarantee. You need to come up with a “day rate” that’s acceptable in your field. I imagine there are a bunch of jobs sites, including the one you linked to, that will go into this, but I can’t imagine your day rate in London being any less than, say, £250, although I don’t really know the sector for what you’re planning to do. £300 and up is the norm in niche development and training areas though.
December 15th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Oh, and I forgot to mention.. if work is an extension of your social life (and for most people it is) then you might want to reconsider or make this a temporary thing. Unless you’re doing really long term contracts, you are an outsider wherever you’re going, and the permies will nearly always treat you as such. IT contracting is definitely 100% work and in most cases quite lonely.