Obtaining 1st IT contract proving very difficult ?
Discussion
Hi, I have been working in IT for 12+ years and since leaving my previous company decided to go freelance as an MSI Application Packager. I have now been looking for a while now and not managed to get very far with the agencies in securing my 1st contract. I have registered with the big names Monster, Jobserve etc and got a small website up and running online offering my services www.ApplicationPackager.co.uk. I have applied for a few roles online but heard nothing back even though my skillset matches very well? I have also been phoned/emailed for a few roles too and after confirming I'm interested in the job I've not heard anything back?
Now thinking of contacting companies direct to see if there is the possibility of imminent work? I'm just after any advice from contractors out there as to successful ways to obtain work and any names of good recruitment agencies that WILL call you back and update you (even if you have not been successful because feedback is something to build on). I gather its also a matter of networking and it will get easier once I've done a few contracts?
thanks in advance
Now thinking of contacting companies direct to see if there is the possibility of imminent work? I'm just after any advice from contractors out there as to successful ways to obtain work and any names of good recruitment agencies that WILL call you back and update you (even if you have not been successful because feedback is something to build on). I gather its also a matter of networking and it will get easier once I've done a few contracts?
thanks in advance
Beeing looking for about 4 weeks, sounds promising if this is a slow part of the year for landing contracts.
I am also considering falling back on my desktop/server back office support but will need to brush up on a few skills to be slick with them from the offset.
cheers for the replies
I am also considering falling back on my desktop/server back office support but will need to brush up on a few skills to be slick with them from the offset.
cheers for the replies
Cheers Dern and Big and Clever. I've digested and taken on board your posts. I've made a couple of changes this morning to the website and from tomorrow I will be trying a few new approaches (any advice on the site is very well received as I've not had much due to only getting it online about a week ago). I think from the sounds of it I need to pick the phone up a bit more instead of relying on emails and online applications only. Will also consider a lower rate as this will give me the edge over a more experienced contractor. I've been told the market is good for packager and have a seen a few roles but over the last 4 weeks these roles keep reappearing? (I was wondering if these where the roles I hear of people mentioning that recruitment agencies use just to obtain clients and the roles don't actually exist?) Will also do a bit of cold calling to get acquainted with local firms for work in the future. I also going to check out the sites recommended and you cannot have too much internet presence IMO. Will post up how I get on. Cheers once again and keep any advice coming because I cannot ever have too much.
Edited by Sussex on Sunday 29th July 11:13
Edited by Sussex on Sunday 29th July 11:13
Cheers Dern, have taken all that info onboard. Have also created a LinkedIn profile too and it does look a very good site. Its going to be a busy week for my telephone but hopefully will allow me to get me more acquainted with the agencies and also let me judge how good they are. Really just need the right break now to get me started.
. Back to the phone calls.
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