A couple of quick questions on contracting

[poshboyracer]

I'm applying for a few contract roles, having only ever worked as a perm.

I've got an interview today - is there any difference in how to frame yourself in a contract interview vs permanent interview.

Also, how does a contract work with regards to the "employer" binning you? Is it easy for them, and is the notice period a week? Or does it vary from week to week? I ask because one role i have been put forward for has quite a few elements outside my experience - the agent says it's fine (of course they do), and i'm confident i could learn stuff, but i'm not sure that is what a company would be looking for in a contractor and may want to get rid if these elements make up a more significant part of the role than the agent is letting on...

TIA

[zippy3x]

Interviews are largely the same, as a client is looking for most of the same qualities they do when looking for a permie. You won't get any "where do you see yourself in 5 years" type questions, and there will be more focus on core skills and team fit.

Yes clients can bin you easily without reason - thats kind of the point of contracting. Most agency contracts have a four week notice period, which can be invoked without reason.
Again, most agency contracts will have a mutuality of obligation clause, which means the client is not obliged to give you work, and you are not obliged to do any work given.

I have been sent home for 2 weeks because there was no work to do while the client was awiating the signing of a contract (which I had to just swallow), and although it's never happened to me I have had a mate marched off-site on a trumped up charge of mis-use of internet resources, so the client didn't have to pay the months notice.

So basically in reality you can be gone more or less anytime.

[poshboyracer]

Great answers, thanks. Will help with my choices a lot.