I think this is off-topic, so I'm sending to social@ instead of main.
On 2004-02-17 17:56:19 +0000 Matt Parker matt@mpcontracting.co.uk wrote:
On Tue, 2004-02-17 at 16:54, kpwatson@pop3.ukfsn.org wrote:
I'm pretty sure I read these before starting off this time around. They go a bit far in some ways, but it's all an opinion piece, really.
[...] I'm not sure what is required for tech support, but for development, you're gonna need at least 4-5 years of commercial experience on your CV before you will even be considered.
Of course, it depends on who you're trying to work for. If you're willing to learn, then you can get into new areas and it becomes more about what you know than how long you've been doing it.
I've also turned down business, [...] I didn't like some of the clauses in the contract
Yes, this happens far too often. Another favourite is trying to write into the contract exactly what tools you will use. I wonder how they get anyone to repair their doors? ("You will use only a rubber mallet and a toothpick.")
Anyway, there are tons of contract jobs out there - jobserve.com is my favourite place to look since the jobs tend to be real.
I like to talk to lots of people, but some have remarked on that before :)
You will need to register yourself as a Limited Company as well, and get good indemnity insurance.
PII can be worthwhile, but check the terms very closely. Limited Company status is only important to some people and it's more imagined status than real. Yes, watch IR35, but you are going to make more money working and paying an accountant than you'll save by farting around trying to fiddle the taxman and using loopholes.