UK contract agencies

[Michael]

I am seriously considering getting back into contracting again after a break of around 10 years.

When I was last contracting I worked mainly through 2 agencies - Trident, and Computer Search and Selection. The last I heard was that these 2 had merged into CSS Trident (or something like that). Does anyone know what this agency evolved into? I am totally out of touch with the scene nowadays.

Who are the major players in the agencies these days? Or reliable smaller agencies?

Anyone got any horror stories on agencies to avoid?

I have nothing against our ex-colonial transatlantic friends, but would you restrict your comments to UK agencies only please.

[Michael]

This is just to get me to the top of the list as it is the start of the working day here in UK.

Any replies while America sleeps?

[Ianpbaker]

for two of the bigger agencies, try best people(www.best-people.co.uk) or reed(www.reed.co.uk).

also www.contracts365.com is quite a good site

[Gaffer]

They're all pimps anyway (I know, I used to be one). I thought Michael Page were OK when it came to paying on time and the general admin.
MSB International are a pack of cowboys. More concerned with getting the job filled than the after sales.

[Michael]

Some things never change - they were all pimps when I was last contracting!!! But some pimps do a little bit more for their money than others - not a lot - but some do.

Is Freelance Informer still the best contractors mag around? Are there any others worth looking at?

I know that these days we look online for contracts but FI always had good relevant articles to read. And it carries adverts for the agencies - with their web site addresses. Having said that I have gone on their circulation list but I am still waiting for my first copy to arrive.

Thanks for your comments so far guys - any more would still be much appreciated.

[Gaffer]

Yeah, FI is still pretty good (last time I checked 6 months ago!) - They have an OK website too.

BTW, have you considered the effecr of IR35

[Michael]

The FI website has reasonable advice but nowhere near a complete list of agencies.

Yes I have considered IR35 (bastards!!!) and it will still benefit me to go contract.

[Gaffer]

I think you can get a comlpete list in jobserve.com

You don't get a rating on them though!

Good luck. After the day I'm having, permie seems a wee bit more attractive!

[Ianpbaker]

tell me about it

[Michael]

I get a load of **** in my "permie" job. I would rather get paid contract rates for the ****!!!

[Gaffer]

No finer reason Micael. What buisness area do you work in?

[robt]

I've found that FI has become boring lately. Also, any jobs advertised there were either not real in the first place or have long gone.

I'm not blaming FI for that but as you probably know, clients like their contractors to start in a few days time so applying for them from a printed magazine means that they've more than likely gone !

I agree with Gaffer, www.jobserve.co.uk is a pretty good starting point. You get to see which agencies seem to have the most contracts availalble.
Also, some agencies post the rate on the advert so you'll get a good indication as to how much your skills are worth these days.

Watch out for the variations in the rate offered for some contracts though - I've seen one agency advertising for a contract at £350 per day and another obviously advertising the same job for £500 per day !!

[Gaffer]

Yeah, that was the bad thing about Michael Page - they took 25% margin. I think smaller agencies are a good option (I am with on e at the moment), but I think you need to find out EXACTLY what busineess area is their speciality, ot its a waste of time.

Michael, if your in the banking game, I can give you one or two contacts...

[robt]

I also tend to ask the agent what margin they are taking. This is because I found out that my agent on my first contract was taking over 40%. Unfortunately, I discovered this when I was nearing the end of the contract so I didn't have a chance to negotiate my extensions with them.

Sadly, being a "first timer", I was there for the taking so I make a point of asking before accepting any new contract these days. If the agent won't tell you then perhaps it's not worth dealing with them.....

The going rate seems to be between 12% and 20% depending on which agency you use (at least, that's the case for the majority of the agencies based in the South West).

[Ianpbaker]

I remember reading in the paper last year that an agency buggered up and sent the clien'ts contractor to the contract and visa versa. The client was abolutley livid about the mark-up they were paying for this person and tried taking them to court. never heard what the outcome was

[Michael]

... thanks for the offer.

I have worked on a wide variety of commercial stuff - stock, accounts, payroll, construction ... the list goes on!!! Not specifically banking but it can't be that much different from other commercial stuff ... can it?

[Michael]

... thanks for the offer.

I have worked on a wide variety of commercial stuff - stock, accounts, payroll, construction ... the list goes on!!! Not specifically banking but it can't be that much different from other commercial stuff ... can it?

[Gaffer]

Don't know it it's different as I haven't programmed outside of the City, but I think in all industries, product knowledge is the deal clincher...

[robt]

How I found out was because a "blonde" secretary brought me an invoice that the agency had sent to the client. She had been opening the mail and saw my name on the invoice, put 2 and 2 together, came up with 10 and gave the invoice to me !!

You can imagine my suprise when I saw the invoice for 40 hours work totalling £1485 when 40 hours work for me added up to £1000 at the time (£25 per hour) !!!

I'd better not name the agency incase they're watching - BUT YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE !!!!