This is a free one minute website

 

Hello, my name is Grant. Thank you for taking the time to come to this website. I hope that you will find valuable information that will assist you to make the choice on whether you are ready to make the move from permanent employment, to freelancing - working in a defined role, for a fixed duration and usually well rewarded financially.

The lifestyle might not be for everyone, but for those with skills in demand, character and the need for change, then working as an independant contractor in Information Technology can be very rewarding.

 

A bit about me

 

I'm originally from South Africa, where I was working as an analyst programmer for a telecoms company until 1997. I had the good fortune of working with a few consultants that provided me with information about the contracting market in the UK. With little more than two years of work experience (in the IT field) I took the leap, packed my bags and moved to London. It wasn't all easy - being from outside the European Union I was required to have an appropriate visa that allowed me to work in the UK, and I had the good sense to approach a recruitement agency in the UK who arranged for me to have a telephone interview with a client in London.

Twelve months later I was off again, the world was my oyster. I worked at two clients in the Netherlands, then a short stint in Mallorca (Spanish Ballearic islands) on the online reservation system for a hotel chain, three years in Ireland, six months in Toronto, Canada and then moving to Australia in 2003 where I have worked for two government departments and an IT service provider.

I have worked in diverse business areas and in a variety of roles. I have been a programmer, a designer, a team lead and a project manager.

There have been rate increases, and rate decreases. Busy times and slow times. Good clients and bad clients. The key thing though, is that during this time I have not been out of work, nor worried about money. I have built up my skills and travelled the world, met some amazing people, and left a good, lasting impression each time I have left a client site.

With thirteen years of experience covering seven countries and ten diverse clients, I feel that I am in a position to be able to offer advice to those that either want to follow a similar path, or who might be floundering and need some motivation to push on and reach their goals.

Please take the time to read the articles on this site, and come back often to see the latest information when it becomes available.

 

It's all about presentation

 

The first thing that any agent, or potential client sees of you is most likely your resume, typically bundled up with a cover letter from your chosen agency and possibly (almost certainly when it comes to Australian government jobs) your responses to a number of selection criteria that you were required to answer as part of the tender process.

I cannot emphasize enough how important these documents are. I have been involved in the selection process and see how common it is for applications with badly answered questions, poorly formatted resumes, or with unrealistic rates to be dismissed without being considered - regardless of how suitable a match you might be.

Click here for recommendations on how you can get it right, make the best possible impression and get that interview opportunity.

 

So you now have an interview

 

Still on the topic of presentation, the important thing now that the client wants to talk to you on the phone or meet you in person, is to present yourself in the best possible light. It can bring out anxiety in the strongest of characters, but fortunately the interviewer knows this and in most cases has been trained to prompt you with questions that will allow you to sell yourself.

Click here for recommendations on how to handle interview situations.

 

Bulletproof your job

 

 

Getting that renewal, and asking for the payrise you deserve

 

 

Moving on up

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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