{"id":535,"date":"2018-04-09T07:21:10","date_gmt":"2018-04-09T07:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/talentedtester.com\/?p=535"},"modified":"2019-06-10T18:46:06","modified_gmt":"2019-06-10T18:46:06","slug":"permanent-to-a-contract-testing-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/talentedtester.com\/permanent-to-a-contract-testing-job\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Transition From a Permanent to a Contract Testing Job?"},"content":{"rendered":"

A permanent job offers a sense of safety, comfort and a secure future. Nevertheless, we see people constantly taking the plunge into contract jobs, leaving their permanent position<\/a> behind. So why do people do that?<\/p>\n

Leaving something so safe and swimming into something perceived as an abyss of the unknown!<\/p>\n

According to ITContractorsUK<\/a> , the number of self-employed professionals has increased by around 43% in the UK.<\/p>\n

Well, as someone who has been working as a contractor for over ten years, I can tell you that it had its rewards. As a contractor, I have been rewarded with higher pay, a network of clients, flexible work hours, and much more challenging work. The decision wasn\u2019t easy, nor was it made in haste, but it was worth it.<\/p>\n

So, you are ready to leap into the contracting world? The first step is to understand and plan the transition. Ask yourself this question: \u201chow do I transition from a permanent job to a contract job?\u201d<\/p>\n

If this is waht you are looking for, you have come to the right place! Here are few tips that will help you make the transition successfully.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Shop Now<\/span> Ads by Amazon <\/a> <\/span> <\/a> <\/span> <\/span> \u00d7 Thank you! <\/p>\n

This will help us improve your ad experience. We will try not to show you such ads again.<\/p>\n

Report a problem <\/p>\n

This item is…<\/p>\n

Not relevant Inappropriate \/ Offensive Displayed poorly Other <\/p>\n

Add Comments (Max 320 characters)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> Clean Code: A Handbook of Agi\u2026<\/span> <\/a> $47.49<\/span>$49.99<\/span><\/span> Bestseller<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> (484)<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> DEAL OF THE DAY ENDS IN <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> \u00d7 Thank you! <\/p>\n

This will help us improve your ad experience. We will try not to show you such ads again.<\/p>\n

Report a problem <\/p>\n

This item is…<\/p>\n

Not relevant Inappropriate \/ Offensive Displayed poorly Other <\/p>\n

Add Comments (Max 320 characters)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> Lessons Learned in Software Testing: \u2026<\/span> <\/a> $20.79<\/span><\/span><\/span> Bestseller<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> (69)<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> DEAL OF THE DAY ENDS IN <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> \u00d7 Thank you! <\/p>\n

This will help us improve your ad experience. We will try not to show you such ads again.<\/p>\n

Report a problem <\/p>\n

This item is…<\/p>\n

Not relevant Inappropriate \/ Offensive Displayed poorly Other <\/p>\n

Add Comments (Max 320 characters)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> A Friendly Introduction to Software Testing<\/span> <\/a> $29.95<\/span>$29.95<\/span><\/span> Bestseller<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> (18)<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> DEAL OF THE DAY ENDS IN <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> \u00d7 Thank you! <\/p>\n

This will help us improve your ad experience. We will try not to show you such ads again.<\/p>\n

Report a problem <\/p>\n

This item is…<\/p>\n

Not relevant Inappropriate \/ Offensive Displayed poorly Other <\/p>\n

Add Comments (Max 320 characters)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> Software Testing<\/span> <\/a> $37.74<\/span>$49.99<\/span><\/span> Bestseller<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> (44)<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> DEAL OF THE DAY ENDS IN <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> \u00d7 Thank you! <\/p>\n

This will help us improve your ad experience. We will try not to show you such ads again.<\/p>\n

Report a problem <\/p>\n

This item is…<\/p>\n

Not relevant Inappropriate \/ Offensive Displayed poorly Other <\/p>\n

Add Comments (Max 320 characters)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> How Google Tests Software<\/span> <\/a> $23.96<\/span>$39.99<\/span><\/span> Bestseller<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> (61)<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> DEAL OF THE DAY ENDS IN <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> \u00d7 Thank you! <\/p>\n

This will help us improve your ad experience. We will try not to show you such ads again.<\/p>\n

Report a problem <\/p>\n

This item is…<\/p>\n

Not relevant Inappropriate \/ Offensive Displayed poorly Other <\/p>\n

Add Comments (Max 320 characters)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> The DevOps Handbook:: How\u2026<\/span> <\/a> $14.49<\/span><\/span><\/span> Bestseller<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> (152)<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> DEAL OF THE DAY ENDS IN <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> \u00d7 Thank you! <\/p>\n

This will help us improve your ad experience. We will try not to show you such ads again.<\/p>\n

Report a problem <\/p>\n

This item is…<\/p>\n

Not relevant Inappropriate \/ Offensive Displayed poorly Other <\/p>\n

Add Comments (Max 320 characters)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> Software Testing<\/span> <\/a> $41.39<\/span>$45.99<\/span><\/span> Bestseller<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> (20)<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> DEAL OF THE DAY ENDS IN <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> \u00d7 Thank you! <\/p>\n

This will help us improve your ad experience. We will try not to show you such ads again.<\/p>\n

Report a problem <\/p>\n

This item is…<\/p>\n

Not relevant Inappropriate \/ Offensive Displayed poorly Other <\/p>\n

Add Comments (Max 320 characters)<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span> Continuous Delivery: Reliable Softwar\u2026<\/span> <\/a> $43.75<\/span>$59.99<\/span><\/span> Bestseller<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> (109)<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> DEAL OF THE DAY ENDS IN <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/a> Ads by Amazon <\/a> <\/span> <\/a> <\/span> <\/span> <\/p>\n

01. Preparation<\/h2>\n

Polish your CV as much as possible with insights and advice from people willing to help you. Here is one thing that I learned the hard way: loads of people will be willing to give you free advice, but advice from people who have done it before extensively will help you most.<\/p>\n

Honestly, the best thing you can do is get an example CV from a couple of established contractors, who have actually got contracts and have had regular work. Easier said than done, I know. But if you can, make that your plan A.<\/p>\n

Talk to experienced contractors and learn from the success and horror stories they are willing to share. Growing a network of like-minded people at the start is key to preparing for the contracting world.<\/p>\n

Most importantly, do your research on the current scenario in the market. Sharpen your skills. Get yourself acquainted with all the latest practices, standards, techniques, and technologies.<\/p>\n

02. Know How to Find and Secure Contract Jobs<\/h2>\n

You need to be armed with a polished CV that is short, focused, and highlights your strength. You may even need to customise it for a more targeted approach towards specific clients.<\/p>\n

Promote your profile on the contract job boards available in the market. You can make use of agencies or professional networks to get this done. You\u2019ll need to follow-up with agencies and clients regularly to secure an interview.<\/p>\n

Once you have secured the client interview, research what they do, what they need, and all the latest news related to them.<\/p>\n

Be proactive in the meeting. Take time to understand the issues they are facing and show them how your skills can help tackle these issues successfully. The right pitch will help you come to an agreement on the rates with the client and close the deal swiftly.<\/p>\n

03.Time Your Notice Period Right<\/h2>\n

I won\u2019t recommend quitting the permanent job impulsively without a proper base. Lay a strong foundation and secure your position setting up as a contractor as you plan your exit.<\/p>\n

Now the client may (or in most cases, will) not wait for you for three long months of the notice period, or even 30 days. Also, you don\u2019t want to put yourself in a bad light in front of your employers.<\/p>\n

You may need a positive reference from them. Talk to your boss, come up with a plan in which you can wind-down professionally with a phased handover, resulting in a shorter notice period.<\/p>\n

Handing over notice period without any contracts in hand may be risky, but if you have done your research and preparations correctly, you will have no problems securing contracts after job.<\/p>\n

Think of it this way, worse comes to the worst, you can go back to where you came from before or get another permy gig.<\/p>\n

One cheeky technique I used, which minimises risk, but might upset a few agents, is I secured a perm position first, handed in my months notice, then kept looking for contract roles.<\/p>\n

I actually landed a contract offer in that month window and took that offer instead. I figured worst comes to the worse, I will take the permanent role. <\/p>\n

04. Consider Setting Up a Company<\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t need to go all solo here! You can use an umbrella company or set up a Private Limited company. In fact I started out with an umbrella. Then later on I moved to a company.<\/p>\n

Using an umbrella company will take away the headache of taxes, payroll, accounts, and VAT returns from you. Another vital benefit that an umbrella company offers is it might free you from IR35 worries as well. Less financial and administration annoyance will allow you to focus more on getting the work done, and rake in more money.<\/p>\n

Setting up a limited company has its own benefits as well. A limited company will help you gain credibility with new clients, help you claim more expenses (compared to umbrella company).<\/p>\n

It will also offer limited liability protection in case things don\u2019t work out as planned. The only downside to this is you\u2019ll be loaded with lots of paperwork and administrative responsibilities as well.<\/p>\n

Choose your company set up based on your circumstances and requirements. Contractors prefer limited company for a long-term plan. If you don\u2019t want to take too many risks in the initial stage, an umbrella company offers a viable short-term solution.<\/p>\n

Limited Company Vs Umbrella Company. Who Wins? <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

05. Get Your Business Insured<\/h2>\n

No contractor is perfect. When you start out as a contractor, mistakes are bound to happen. Don\u2019t you agree with me when I say that it’s better to be safe than sorry?<\/p>\n

A professional insurance adviser can help you with a policy tailored to your business needs. Sound business insurance can provide financial protection as well as liability cover, and ensure IR35 compliance.<\/p>\n

In fact you may find that it is mandatory before you are allowed to start some contracts.<\/p>\n

06. Don\u2019t let Failure Get You Down<\/h2>\n

Whatever you do, do not procrastinate on if you may or may not fail. Consider the possibility that you have worked as a contractor for three months, and you are out of contract. What do you do next? One option that can be considered is getting back to the old permanent job, simple.<\/p>\n

That is a viable option, for the time being at least if you are out of resources and investment. Accumulate the resources and capital required over a period and then come back again. If money is not an immediate issue, it\u2019s time to reflect on the following:<\/p>\n