Re: FN-FORUM: contracting and how to take the leap..!

date posted 14th May 2008 10:25

Well, maybe you can chase a few contracts before you resign? It won't
be that easy with 8 weeks notice though. I can't quite remember that
far back, but I was probably on one month notice. I got my CV up
together and sent it to a few agencies. Had a few interviews and picked
my first contract carefully, as I wasn't desperate for the work, being
as I had the permie job.

Like I say, maybe 8 weeks will scupper that plan, but worth talking to a
few agencies first. You can also then see how the land lies with regard
to how much work is out there for you.

As for Umbrella/Ltd Company. If you get a decent accountant, they will
do the whole lot for you. Mine does the VAT, payroll, PAYE, you name it
for £60 a month. That also includes all the annual stuff and my
personal tax return. Most will set it up for nothing for you too - mine
does I think. I've been with Nixon Williams for years now, so maybe
worth a look at their website and/or phone them.

Personally, I've never looked back, both financially and work wise. I
get a far wider variety of work, much easier to move around, longer
holidays when I want them. It can mean working away from home though,
especially if you are (like me) in a niche market.

As Dr. Pepper would say: what's the worst that could happen :)

Dan B wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> I am a software developer and have worked at the same company for
> about a year now but I am the kind of person that thrives on change
> and new projects, especially developing a system from the ground up.
> My first employment post-university was entirely by accident at P&G
> where I developed an n-tier system in .NET used by a few hundred folk
> (long story but it started out with me temping in admin...!) but since
> then I have been working on legacy systems and code maintenance in my
> new role and don't feel like I am learning any new skills.
>
> If you want to cut out the blurb my question is 'when is the best time
> to jump into contracting' I'm relatively young nipper at 24 but have
> had a good 4 years of (commercial) experience on top of a lifetime of
> bedroom coding on both my own and some open source projects and have
> finished my degree with a fairly solid 2:1. I feel that moving into
> contracting would allow me to diversify as-well as focus on what I
> love to do (develop) rather than get bogged down in business meetings,
> customer workshops etc...
>
> Would you have considered yourselves too young at the age of 24 to
> jump into something like this?
> I really want to go for it, but quitting my job is a big step, and I
> have an unfortunately long period of 8 weeks notice :o)
>
> Any advice from you 'seasoned professional types' greatly appreciated,
> even if it is "don't do it, kid" :-)
>
> Cheers
>

--
Dominic Raywood
Rubicon Computer Services Limited
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