Hi all,

I’m just about to finish up 18 months working in Ethiopia, and I will be heading back to settle in Glasgow in August.

When I get back I’d like to start contracting- preferably in or around Glasgow, but I’m happy to go abroad as well.

Any advice for a first time contractor?

Preferably not “don’t”…

Many thanks

Paul
🙂

Make sure you have loads of experience and proper good skills. Then you’ll be fine 🙂 Just go on jobserve, add everything that you are REALLY suited to do your basket, click apply and wait for the phone to ring.

Either work via an umbrella (Parasol there are others) or get your own ltd company (plus all insurances, employee, indemnity etc e.g. Caunce O’hara there are others), probably best done with an accountant. (mail if you want a recom) – ie get yourself into a position where you can actually sign a contract (most now mandate indemnity 1million, can vary)

get an uptodate accurate cv in word format
linkedin has got me quite a few offers
Then try internet for appropriate opportunities – jobserve,reed,cwjobs
totaljobs etc etc etc etc and mail cv and phone etc to chase.

re abroad – take proper advice regarding each country legalities, there are some catches.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/

I’m an accountant specialising in contractors and based near to Glasgow, although I don’t come on STW to plug my business. You can PM me if you want any advice but the link to contractoruk’s forum is an excellent start.

Algarvebairn-

How do I get hold of you?

Cheers

P

My advice to an IT contractor is: titanium

I am one and have been contracting for a few years and best thing I ever did, do it. The choice between limited and umbrella depends on you, if you feel comfortable setting up a limited it will let you take home more cash but the security of an umbrella can be good until you get off the ground. parasol were fine for a couple of years for me but I clear loads more now I have a limited co. If you go limited, find a good accountant and discuss how it will work for you.

Proffesional indemnity, yes get it, I use Hiscox.

Getting a role, jobserver and CWjobs are good and as descibed above if your CV is strong, set up some searches and you should get some calls. Both have a daily email option of the roles freshly posted, very useful.

In Glasgow I am not sure what the job market is like, widening it to Edinburgh will get a few of the big financial players. The job market isnt bad currently, at least in London, considering Xmas/NY slow down usually happens theres a few jobs around. More typically arrive mid Jan.

As for Titanium, absolutely.

Am I missing something about Titanium?

What kind of contracting are you doing? General IT?

I became a contractor this year within the web industry, after spending several years working for an agencies. Can honestly say it’s been my highest earning year, ever.

Although I’m trying not to get used to it and sticking it all in savings – as I know it won’t last forever.

I’d also recommend an setting yourself up as a limited company, and getting a good accountant once you get up and running.

and, also I don’t come here to plug my business, but email me (morganDOTdaveiesATocc-computingDOTcoDOTuk)to see if I have any roles you may be suitable for. Happy to advise on CV and if I don’t have anything, I’m more than willing to suggest other routes