Contractors - What do you do? (IT)
Discussion
I am wondering, with all the contractors on here, what do you actually do as your role?
How did you get into it?
Are you experienced and qualified to the teeth?
How long have you been doing it?
It is something I would like to do, but I feel I lack the required skills currently. I am looking for inspiration!
Thanks all.
How did you get into it?
Are you experienced and qualified to the teeth?
How long have you been doing it?
It is something I would like to do, but I feel I lack the required skills currently. I am looking for inspiration!
Thanks all.
Business Analyst. I have all the exams needed to get through the CV sift (Prince2, ITIL, ISEB). I have about 15 years experience across a load of different industries, the last 3 as a contractor. I'm also an ex-engineer (of 16 years) which complements working in IT.
You don't need to be at the top of your game to be a contractor, but you do need to be good enough to regularly get a job offer out of possibly 100's of candidates. Its no good if you're always in the last few, but don't quite make the top spot. It helps to have a decent network of contacts.
If you're crap with money don't even consider it. You might be months between jobs, and you could be out of a job at the drop of a hat.
You don't need to be at the top of your game to be a contractor, but you do need to be good enough to regularly get a job offer out of possibly 100's of candidates. Its no good if you're always in the last few, but don't quite make the top spot. It helps to have a decent network of contacts.
If you're crap with money don't even consider it. You might be months between jobs, and you could be out of a job at the drop of a hat.
Edited by 98elise on Thursday 29th May 18:07
Programming.
Zero qualifications beyond a degree really. Worked for about 2 years each at three companies before going contracting. Just taking a few months off now after a few years virtually without a day off. I got into it by quitting my job and looking for contracts, but before I even took my first permie role I knew roughly which direction I was heading in and what the contractor adverts asked for.
Zero qualifications beyond a degree really. Worked for about 2 years each at three companies before going contracting. Just taking a few months off now after a few years virtually without a day off. I got into it by quitting my job and looking for contracts, but before I even took my first permie role I knew roughly which direction I was heading in and what the contractor adverts asked for.
Senior Global Infrastructure Engineer.
I have 20+ years of experience and not that many relevant qualifications now but I do study and learn all new technology that maybe needed to secure a new contract if needed. I just don't do the exams.
I have been a contractor for a very long time and have tried permie roles but they are not for me.
Having as said a good network is vital and a good name is also vital, not so much if you are just starting out though.
In the last 8 years I have had 3 contracts and only one of those I had to interview for, the other 2 have been repeats where they have come to me.
This current one I am in is coming up to 3 years, but also a great asset is the folk you work with. think back to the network thing.
As also stated before make sure you are good with money, contracting seems lucrative but bear in mind you even on a year's contract will work 44 weeks of the year.
If you do consider it make sure you save, I have a years worth of mortgage and bills in reserve just in case I am out of contract for any length of time.
BH or your holidays or sick will cost you 8 weeks of the year in pay.
I get to travel which is nice, and meet lots of people globally that make me smile.
Also consider that your next contract may require you to do a lot of commuting, I have not worked in my home town since 1997. My commutes are based upon 100 miles round trip per day. Although I can WFH home a lot now.
But as you progress you may get to the point like me that you need to go away from your family, will they understand?
I have taken contracts in HK / USA / Canada / Europe and I am looking at another in the US. My wife is understanding and knows we can talk via whatever and I will eventually return.
My current one is primarily UK based but with lots of travel.
Oh and get used to be called "The evil contractor" daily but that may only be me
Hope this helps.
I have 20+ years of experience and not that many relevant qualifications now but I do study and learn all new technology that maybe needed to secure a new contract if needed. I just don't do the exams.
I have been a contractor for a very long time and have tried permie roles but they are not for me.
Having as said a good network is vital and a good name is also vital, not so much if you are just starting out though.
In the last 8 years I have had 3 contracts and only one of those I had to interview for, the other 2 have been repeats where they have come to me.
This current one I am in is coming up to 3 years, but also a great asset is the folk you work with. think back to the network thing.
As also stated before make sure you are good with money, contracting seems lucrative but bear in mind you even on a year's contract will work 44 weeks of the year.
If you do consider it make sure you save, I have a years worth of mortgage and bills in reserve just in case I am out of contract for any length of time.
BH or your holidays or sick will cost you 8 weeks of the year in pay.
I get to travel which is nice, and meet lots of people globally that make me smile.
Also consider that your next contract may require you to do a lot of commuting, I have not worked in my home town since 1997. My commutes are based upon 100 miles round trip per day. Although I can WFH home a lot now.
But as you progress you may get to the point like me that you need to go away from your family, will they understand?
I have taken contracts in HK / USA / Canada / Europe and I am looking at another in the US. My wife is understanding and knows we can talk via whatever and I will eventually return.
My current one is primarily UK based but with lots of travel.
Oh and get used to be called "The evil contractor" daily but that may only be me
Hope this helps.
Edited by Allanv on Thursday 29th May 19:35
IT Architect with a few other plans in development, got into it through hard work. Started at the bottom with basic techie jobs, studied and built networks at home, messed around with websites, went to uni, helped out on OSS projects, built servers, learnt more, didn't get settled in any fixed role, always learning, used the time at work to take an interest in stuff beyond my immediate role and widen knowledge. Took opportunities as they arrived and left when roles were going nowhere.
Now I'm qualified and experienced, but I wasn't when I dived in. Qualifications don't mean much technically but having them will get your CV further up the pile and will allow you to charge more.
I love being in control of my own destiny, career is what I make it myself, not what someone else decides. Plus no office politics or performance reviews from HR bods who don't even understand what I do. Good luck if you do decide to go for it!
Now I'm qualified and experienced, but I wasn't when I dived in. Qualifications don't mean much technically but having them will get your CV further up the pile and will allow you to charge more.
I love being in control of my own destiny, career is what I make it myself, not what someone else decides. Plus no office politics or performance reviews from HR bods who don't even understand what I do. Good luck if you do decide to go for it!
Oracle e-Business technical developer specialising in customising and interfaces into and out of the core product (HR/Payroll at the moment; GL, AR, AP and FA before).
I started as an analyst for PwC Consulting then an IT Consultant with IBM before deciding I didn't want to get into project management and (surprisingly!) IBM didn't offer a technical career path. So I left and started contracting. In the 8 years since then I've only been out of contract for 1 month.
Good experience, good names on the CV, good reputation (I think!) but no formal qualifications other than degree (Maths) and postgrad (Manufacturing Engineering).
I started as an analyst for PwC Consulting then an IT Consultant with IBM before deciding I didn't want to get into project management and (surprisingly!) IBM didn't offer a technical career path. So I left and started contracting. In the 8 years since then I've only been out of contract for 1 month.
Good experience, good names on the CV, good reputation (I think!) but no formal qualifications other than degree (Maths) and postgrad (Manufacturing Engineering).
Oracle Database Administrator, been contracting for a year now but around 10 years experience before going contracting.
Main reason for doing it was because I didn't enjoy the politics, annual performance reviews and jumping through hoops for tiny pay rises.
I love contracting, I feel that I'm making a difference for my customer(s). I just need to find more work but I'm not sure where I can find remote work or weekend/adhoc work (if anybody has any ideas)
Main reason for doing it was because I didn't enjoy the politics, annual performance reviews and jumping through hoops for tiny pay rises.
I love contracting, I feel that I'm making a difference for my customer(s). I just need to find more work but I'm not sure where I can find remote work or weekend/adhoc work (if anybody has any ideas)
VMware Consultant (Infrastructure and VDI). Contracting in the UK for 14 years, previously an accountant, fer chrissakes...
Large Consultancies, Integrators, Managed Services providers - currently IBM (4 years +).
Get certified, get experienced, get your CV into tip-top condition. As a previous poster has said, you need to be disciplined with money, since having it lie around can be very tempting, particularly if you operate your own business through a Ltd company. I work on average about 42 paid weeks, p.a. and take long holidays.
www.contractoruk.com is a good place to start.
Large Consultancies, Integrators, Managed Services providers - currently IBM (4 years +).
Get certified, get experienced, get your CV into tip-top condition. As a previous poster has said, you need to be disciplined with money, since having it lie around can be very tempting, particularly if you operate your own business through a Ltd company. I work on average about 42 paid weeks, p.a. and take long holidays.
www.contractoruk.com is a good place to start.
Project Manager specialising in Service Mgt. Can do the analysis/design and implementation bits too so if the project needs an extra pair of hands I can fill in. Can also challenge my team if they're wrong 
Got the baubles (Prince2 practitioner, product accreditation) but it's a niche industry and reputation is everything.
Started contracting in 08 just as the bubble burst. Company I worked for went down the toilet.
Got the baubles (Prince2 practitioner, product accreditation) but it's a niche industry and reputation is everything.Started contracting in 08 just as the bubble burst. Company I worked for went down the toilet.
Senior Financial Consultant/Engineer
Same as contracting but less pay but I do choose the jobs, etc... but salaried as I needed a way into the market after shattering leg and being out for 6 months.
13 years experience in the Finance industry working through Retail/Corporate before moving onto Investment. I was a contractor, but doing the consulting for a bit of a relaxing life at the moment, but on with my experiences...
In my world its a cut throat business and you need to be good... very good. Unless you know the people and get a free pass, the interviews number up to 5 at a time including several hours of in depth technical. In my consultancy role this is now been swapped for 30 min informal chat with the client with regards to what the job is and if I want it... To get the consultancy job took 5 interviews.
(below is my experience of contracting)
Hours are many and free time is something you will never have, contractors are usually under resourced (even in the large IBs) and you will end up working 10+ hours a day minimum because if you dont do it, someone else will. Its not a case of how good you are an finishing at 5pm, there will always be something else to do so 5pm finishes are a no no.
Great pay, but as you are working so much you dont get to enjoy and spend it as your weekends are spent either working or trying to relax as much as possible.
Skills needed are numerous and you have to keep yourself up to date in spare time, have been on many of the courses (Mircosoft tech stack) and IAQs (FSA regs, derivs, etc), so Im in the unusal position of being able to take on business analyst roles, lead tech roles, Architect roles, which means my clients get someone who can do the job from conception to completion. I have to pay for my own courses and am on several tech websites that do online courses, plus SWMBO thinks its weird that my idea of light reading on holiday last time was asynchronous/parallel/functional programming.
Got into it after the financial crisis when I was used as scapegoat for head count when I was permie, thats when I realised that being a permie meant jack, so went contracting for a few years, but got bored of the volatile industry at the time before moving to consulting... Jobs would appear on the market, you would do several interviews and the jobs would get pulled, etc... Happened one too many times during the fluctuation of the market for me to wait any longer for it to stabalise.
Same as contracting but less pay but I do choose the jobs, etc... but salaried as I needed a way into the market after shattering leg and being out for 6 months.
13 years experience in the Finance industry working through Retail/Corporate before moving onto Investment. I was a contractor, but doing the consulting for a bit of a relaxing life at the moment, but on with my experiences...
In my world its a cut throat business and you need to be good... very good. Unless you know the people and get a free pass, the interviews number up to 5 at a time including several hours of in depth technical. In my consultancy role this is now been swapped for 30 min informal chat with the client with regards to what the job is and if I want it... To get the consultancy job took 5 interviews.
(below is my experience of contracting)
Hours are many and free time is something you will never have, contractors are usually under resourced (even in the large IBs) and you will end up working 10+ hours a day minimum because if you dont do it, someone else will. Its not a case of how good you are an finishing at 5pm, there will always be something else to do so 5pm finishes are a no no.
Great pay, but as you are working so much you dont get to enjoy and spend it as your weekends are spent either working or trying to relax as much as possible.
Skills needed are numerous and you have to keep yourself up to date in spare time, have been on many of the courses (Mircosoft tech stack) and IAQs (FSA regs, derivs, etc), so Im in the unusal position of being able to take on business analyst roles, lead tech roles, Architect roles, which means my clients get someone who can do the job from conception to completion. I have to pay for my own courses and am on several tech websites that do online courses, plus SWMBO thinks its weird that my idea of light reading on holiday last time was asynchronous/parallel/functional programming.
Got into it after the financial crisis when I was used as scapegoat for head count when I was permie, thats when I realised that being a permie meant jack, so went contracting for a few years, but got bored of the volatile industry at the time before moving to consulting... Jobs would appear on the market, you would do several interviews and the jobs would get pulled, etc... Happened one too many times during the fluctuation of the market for me to wait any longer for it to stabalise.
Business Analyst, started contracting after redundancy last year as the opportunity came up before a permie role. As I kept being renewed with the current company I'm still learning when it comes to getting further placements, although that's going to change shortly and I want to give contracting a proper go rather than just running back to being a permie!
Have been a BA in Financial Services for about 15 years and similar roles before that, have Prince 2 and some ISEB.
I'm planning on doing more ISEB if I have a gap between contracts, but I'm not sure whether to retake my Prince2 - was a 'practitioner' which drops down to 'foundation' after a number of years.
Have been a BA in Financial Services for about 15 years and similar roles before that, have Prince 2 and some ISEB.
I'm planning on doing more ISEB if I have a gap between contracts, but I'm not sure whether to retake my Prince2 - was a 'practitioner' which drops down to 'foundation' after a number of years.
Performance Testing Contractor
Started out as Group Pensions administrator, then, as a drunken bet, sat an internal aptitude test for systems and became a Cobol developer.
Left in 1996 to become a self-employed car valeter - ran that for a year then fell back into IT, went to a recruitment fair and joined a small company.
Started out on Y2K projects creating MS Access databases, etc.
Got into testing around 1998 and in 1999 did some training on a product called HP LoadRunner which does performance testing.
Did this as a consultant for the company (now much bigger thru acquisitions) for 12 years, ended up running the team but was doing more and more "soft skills" stuff e.g. resourcing and line management which I hate.
Had a good idea of the market, had a large network of connections and (hopefully) a decent reputation so made the jump to contracting.
First contract came to me, was approached whilst on holiday in Oz just after leaving perm job. Did that for 6 months, then previous client got in touch about another 6 monther over winter and i'm still here 18 months later.
Suspect i'll be out end August as they have a permie coming back from maternity but happy to leave as I have a few other prospects kicking about.
I have enough money to cover 7/8 months in the business, and haven't touched my corporation tax monies or anything like that (know people who spent every penny when money started to roll in only to be well short come the time to pay corp tax!).
Best move I ever made - would recommend going Limited Company if you do, love being my own boss!
Started out as Group Pensions administrator, then, as a drunken bet, sat an internal aptitude test for systems and became a Cobol developer.
Left in 1996 to become a self-employed car valeter - ran that for a year then fell back into IT, went to a recruitment fair and joined a small company.
Started out on Y2K projects creating MS Access databases, etc.
Got into testing around 1998 and in 1999 did some training on a product called HP LoadRunner which does performance testing.
Did this as a consultant for the company (now much bigger thru acquisitions) for 12 years, ended up running the team but was doing more and more "soft skills" stuff e.g. resourcing and line management which I hate.
Had a good idea of the market, had a large network of connections and (hopefully) a decent reputation so made the jump to contracting.
First contract came to me, was approached whilst on holiday in Oz just after leaving perm job. Did that for 6 months, then previous client got in touch about another 6 monther over winter and i'm still here 18 months later.
Suspect i'll be out end August as they have a permie coming back from maternity but happy to leave as I have a few other prospects kicking about.
I have enough money to cover 7/8 months in the business, and haven't touched my corporation tax monies or anything like that (know people who spent every penny when money started to roll in only to be well short come the time to pay corp tax!).
Best move I ever made - would recommend going Limited Company if you do, love being my own boss!
I'm in a similar situation to the OP, however I was a contractor (Implementation Team leader, Deskside support, floor walking, business analyst) for 12 years upto 10 years ago when I had a reasonable offer to go permie.
So now after 10 years as BA then Pre-Sales Solutioning, and now Workplace Solution Architect (with specialism in developing standard offerings and cost models) with a salary that has been largely stagnant for 10 years (equivalent to 20% salary erosion due to inflation), I'm thinking it's time to move on.
Is it best to have a single specialist subject ot have a wide portfolio of things on your CV that you could do?
First time round as a single contractor I did indeed spend it as it came in, I'd like to think I have a bit more control now (and a wife with an accountancy degree)
So now after 10 years as BA then Pre-Sales Solutioning, and now Workplace Solution Architect (with specialism in developing standard offerings and cost models) with a salary that has been largely stagnant for 10 years (equivalent to 20% salary erosion due to inflation), I'm thinking it's time to move on.
Is it best to have a single specialist subject ot have a wide portfolio of things on your CV that you could do?
First time round as a single contractor I did indeed spend it as it came in, I'd like to think I have a bit more control now (and a wife with an accountancy degree)
Do you specifically look for particular roles or tend to slot into something a bit broader?
I have about 15 years IT Infrastructure experience, and roles range from project design implementation to Visualization, SAN, Networking, server infrastructure etc. I hold a VMWare VCP, plus a few MS exams and a NCDA. To be honest I'm not sure if I should focus on a specialty or a broader IT Management role? (Prefer the technical side, I'm a excellent troubleshooter)
Suppose its where the money is really! Currently FTE, but I do think of contracting from time to time.
I have about 15 years IT Infrastructure experience, and roles range from project design implementation to Visualization, SAN, Networking, server infrastructure etc. I hold a VMWare VCP, plus a few MS exams and a NCDA. To be honest I'm not sure if I should focus on a specialty or a broader IT Management role? (Prefer the technical side, I'm a excellent troubleshooter)
Suppose its where the money is really! Currently FTE, but I do think of contracting from time to time.
theboss said:
Like several others here I'm in Infrastructure - specifically Citrix but also cover a lot of VMware, general Windows Server, clustering, storage and so on... I've been contracting 5 and a half years out of a 10 year career. Wouldn't have it any other way!
Interesting, how long are your contracts typically? I expect they are more project driven than your standard BAU?AmiableChimp said:
Performance Testing Contractor
Started out as Group Pensions administrator, then, as a drunken bet, sat an internal aptitude test for systems and became a Cobol developer.
Left in 1996 to become a self-employed car valeter - ran that for a year then fell back into IT, went to a recruitment fair and joined a small company.
Started out on Y2K projects creating MS Access databases, etc.
Got into testing around 1998 and in 1999 did some training on a product called HP LoadRunner which does performance testing.
Did this as a consultant for the company (now much bigger thru acquisitions) for 12 years, ended up running the team but was doing more and more "soft skills" stuff e.g. resourcing and line management which I hate.
Had a good idea of the market, had a large network of connections and (hopefully) a decent reputation so made the jump to contracting.
First contract came to me, was approached whilst on holiday in Oz just after leaving perm job. Did that for 6 months, then previous client got in touch about another 6 monther over winter and i'm still here 18 months later.
Suspect i'll be out end August as they have a permie coming back from maternity but happy to leave as I have a few other prospects kicking about.
I have enough money to cover 7/8 months in the business, and haven't touched my corporation tax monies or anything like that (know people who spent every penny when money started to roll in only to be well short come the time to pay corp tax!).
Best move I ever made - would recommend going Limited Company if you do, love being my own boss!
Clerical Medical?Started out as Group Pensions administrator, then, as a drunken bet, sat an internal aptitude test for systems and became a Cobol developer.
Left in 1996 to become a self-employed car valeter - ran that for a year then fell back into IT, went to a recruitment fair and joined a small company.
Started out on Y2K projects creating MS Access databases, etc.
Got into testing around 1998 and in 1999 did some training on a product called HP LoadRunner which does performance testing.
Did this as a consultant for the company (now much bigger thru acquisitions) for 12 years, ended up running the team but was doing more and more "soft skills" stuff e.g. resourcing and line management which I hate.
Had a good idea of the market, had a large network of connections and (hopefully) a decent reputation so made the jump to contracting.
First contract came to me, was approached whilst on holiday in Oz just after leaving perm job. Did that for 6 months, then previous client got in touch about another 6 monther over winter and i'm still here 18 months later.
Suspect i'll be out end August as they have a permie coming back from maternity but happy to leave as I have a few other prospects kicking about.
I have enough money to cover 7/8 months in the business, and haven't touched my corporation tax monies or anything like that (know people who spent every penny when money started to roll in only to be well short come the time to pay corp tax!).
Best move I ever made - would recommend going Limited Company if you do, love being my own boss!
Project/Programme Manager specialising in Business Intelligence.
Been at it for 14 years now having been made redundant from a fairly senior IT role in 2000. No formal IT qualifications (I'm an accountant by trade) but oodles of experience and success.
Maybe retire in 3 years............
Been at it for 14 years now having been made redundant from a fairly senior IT role in 2000. No formal IT qualifications (I'm an accountant by trade) but oodles of experience and success.
Maybe retire in 3 years............
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