Recommend a decent IT recruitment agency in Birmingham?

[sebo]

Hi all,

I am looking for IT Project management work around the Birmingham area (although I would relocate to elsewhere). Can anyone recommend a decent IT recruitment agency, perhaps that you have worked with yourselves? I have Googled a few and looked at some of their online jobs but having been messed around by some previously I am hesitant to use them unless someone can vouch for their worth...

PS - If anyone knows if there are positions available in their organisation, any information would always be gratefully received. (I am about to finish university (BSc Business Information Systems Management and have a year's IT PM experience at Intel)

All the best

Seb

[obiwonkeyblokey]

you could try camille at www.ashton-consulting.co.uk. Bristol based but goes to gloucester / cheltenham etc.

regards

owen

[sebo]

Thanks Owen, CV now with Camille.

Seb

[SlidingSideways]

Always had good results (from both sides of the table) with Progressive (www.progressive.co.uk/)

[Alec]

Progressive? Really, not having a go but I’ve found them to be totally clueless. Again from both sides of the table, it’s got to the point with them that I won't go for nay job through them, no matter how good.

However as with any big rec firm your experience is directly linked with the particular agent you are dealing with.

[MarkoTVR]

The only one I can think of off the top of my head which is local to Birmingham is Modis (there should be an office on Solihull). Actually, just though of another which I think is GSA Computing in Coventry (maybe?!). Not really used either of them much to be honest, but at least they fit the local criterion!

The latest agency I've worked with is one of the better ones in my experience, GCS based in Reading. I can give you a contact name, so email me through PH if you want. Actually, I can give you quite a few names coming to think about it......just won't be for local agencies.

Are you looking for permie work or contract?

[sebo]

Thanks folks for the input....


Hi Marko

I would rather take on a permanent contract simply because I have no experience of contract work. Are you aware if contract work requires one to be registered as self employed?

Anyone prefer contract work to a permanent job? I imagine the varied work must be enjoyable but a pain when applying for mortgages etc.

Any input?

Seb

[MarkoTVR]

If you want to go contracting in IT, you'll either need to work via an umbrella company or set up your own limited company. The latter isn't that difficult to do and is ultimately far more flexible, but there are administrative factors you may need to consider (as with running any business) and these can get quite stressful, so if you want the easy option then an umbrella company is the way forward. Otherwise, get a very good accountant and remember to stay on top of things!

As much as trying to:
a) make sure all my money arrives in sync with my bills going out
b) find new contracts through the maze of ridiculous skill requests by some employers
c) working the odd weekend and late night to get stuff done which will have no immediate financial value
d) file/organise every relevant scrap of paper that relates to my business and remember to send it to my account by the right deadlines before HMRC tear me a new one

can drive me up the wall and create some worrying moments, I wouldn't have it any other way....not by choice, anyway. I'd only go back to permie if the alternative was being penniless. I've seen so many of my friends face redundancy, etc. recently for whatever reason, I'd prefer to make my own way. There's no such thing as a 'job for life' anymore, especially if you're doing it for someone else.

Mortgage wise, yes there are more hoops to jump through. Took me nearly three months to get a mortgage, but then my requests were quite specific. I know plenty of contractors who have mortgages though, so don't worry too much.

If you're just coming into your first full time job, then permie is the best bet for a few years. To be honest, I'd give it at least five years as you'll need the experience there because you'll be expected to hit the ground running in contracts. It took me eight years before I went self-employed, and there's still a lot to learn.

Anyway, I'll cease my waffle. I have a possible contact or two for permie stuff, so let me know if you're interested.