Making smarter career choices in a weird but booming market?
January 22, 2022 2:30 PM Subscribe
I've always blown in the wind career-wise, so I feel very lucky to find myself a contractor with a significant amount of experience in a (currently) booming field. I'd like to make the transition to juicier projects with a higher level of seniority, however I have a tendency to shoot myself in the foot...
So what's the problem?
My problem is that I have a great breadth of experience, but not much depth. Jack of all trades, master of none.
I need work that puts more substantial meat on the bones of my CV. I can't just rely on sweet-talking my way through interviews any more, can no longer handwave away a "bitty" portfolio.
I would like to make a well-considered move for once, rather than just clutching at the first half-baked opportunity that comes along.
Since I switched on my "Open" sign on LinkedIn, I've been strict with myself. So far I've turned down around ten contracts on either tedious or less than ethical projects and a direct approach about a potential return to a toxic old workplace.
But I can feel myself starting to waver, especially with the previous client. I have been very much the people pleaser in the past and so it feels uncomfortable turning people down. I also tend to get bored and/or panic when faced with a gap between contracts.
My last three (3!) contracts all swiftly proved regrettable, though I gritted my teeth, served my time and all gave me rave reviews. But, mentally, I feel like I can't go through that again. The last one almost gave me a nervous breakdown!
I'd be grateful for any tips or reference materials on how to make good decisions when your skills are in demand and you feel ready to take a step up from mid-level to a more senior role. This is also to bear in mind that the jobs market is extremely twisted and fragile (Johnson's UK - corporate meddling at all levels in the public sector, thousands of pointless and depressing money-siphon projects, general sense of impending Brexit-y doom).
Contract in haste, repent at leisure? How can I make sure I do due diligence, when turnaround time on contract jobs is a matter of a couple of days sometimes? Is there any way to be certain you're not walking into another minefield, beyond Glassdoor and paying very, very close attention to how they answer your questions in the interview?
I've updated all my profiles, website, CV and associated documentation. I know one of the next steps would be to reach out to my network and so have started making a list of who and how, without being too spammy. My hope is that by reaching out to good people, they might be able to put me in touch with good projects. But how long to twiddle my thumbs in the meantime?
Assume that money isn't an issue, but my mental health might be!
So what's the problem?
My problem is that I have a great breadth of experience, but not much depth. Jack of all trades, master of none.
I need work that puts more substantial meat on the bones of my CV. I can't just rely on sweet-talking my way through interviews any more, can no longer handwave away a "bitty" portfolio.
I would like to make a well-considered move for once, rather than just clutching at the first half-baked opportunity that comes along.
Since I switched on my "Open" sign on LinkedIn, I've been strict with myself. So far I've turned down around ten contracts on either tedious or less than ethical projects and a direct approach about a potential return to a toxic old workplace.
But I can feel myself starting to waver, especially with the previous client. I have been very much the people pleaser in the past and so it feels uncomfortable turning people down. I also tend to get bored and/or panic when faced with a gap between contracts.
My last three (3!) contracts all swiftly proved regrettable, though I gritted my teeth, served my time and all gave me rave reviews. But, mentally, I feel like I can't go through that again. The last one almost gave me a nervous breakdown!
I'd be grateful for any tips or reference materials on how to make good decisions when your skills are in demand and you feel ready to take a step up from mid-level to a more senior role. This is also to bear in mind that the jobs market is extremely twisted and fragile (Johnson's UK - corporate meddling at all levels in the public sector, thousands of pointless and depressing money-siphon projects, general sense of impending Brexit-y doom).
Contract in haste, repent at leisure? How can I make sure I do due diligence, when turnaround time on contract jobs is a matter of a couple of days sometimes? Is there any way to be certain you're not walking into another minefield, beyond Glassdoor and paying very, very close attention to how they answer your questions in the interview?
I've updated all my profiles, website, CV and associated documentation. I know one of the next steps would be to reach out to my network and so have started making a list of who and how, without being too spammy. My hope is that by reaching out to good people, they might be able to put me in touch with good projects. But how long to twiddle my thumbs in the meantime?
Assume that money isn't an issue, but my mental health might be!
Best answer: The UK contractor market is very good at the moment, at least in the IT/tech area where I work. If you're in the enviable position of being able to turn down work, both because there is so much work and presumably because you can live without the income for a while, I think you're already doing fantastically.
Your question is little hard to parse in terms of exactly what question you have. Is it that you want "to make the transition to juicier projects with a higher level of seniority" and don't know how? Is it that you need advice on how to not "shoot myself in the foot"? Is it that you want "do due diligence" but don't have time? Is it that you don't know "how long to twiddle my thumbs in the meantime"?
It feels like you're floating around without really knowing what you want, or what direction to go in, other than not being satisfied with your recent contracts and wanting something a bit meatier to get your teeth in to. If that's the case then follow third word on a random page's advice and join a consultancy, as they'll have better access to contacts who can find these roles for you. Or you could look for interim or maternity contracts for Head of/Deputy Director/Director roles, as they'll give you the seniority you want without losing the benefits of being a contractor.
One way or the other though, you'll have to bite the bullet and take a contract eventually. Personally I don't recognise your description of "corporate meddling at all levels in the public sector", because my public sector contracts have all been direct with departments, not parasites like Atos, Capita, Serco, and other companies that seem to exist solely to do as little as possible in return for as much money as possible. (I know people who have worked for all of those companies, and others like them, and believe me "parasites" is both accurate and generous. They are a blight on our public services.) So perhaps consider direct contracts with public sector, as these can be very fulfilling. Helping make public services more efficient and effective for users, and helping the dedicated public servants that provide those services is deeply rewarding, rather than constantly working for private sector companies where it's all about making as much money as possible for rapacious owners and shareholders. Maybe public service might give you what you're looking for?
posted by underclocked at 4:29 AM on January 23, 2022
Your question is little hard to parse in terms of exactly what question you have. Is it that you want "to make the transition to juicier projects with a higher level of seniority" and don't know how? Is it that you need advice on how to not "shoot myself in the foot"? Is it that you want "do due diligence" but don't have time? Is it that you don't know "how long to twiddle my thumbs in the meantime"?
It feels like you're floating around without really knowing what you want, or what direction to go in, other than not being satisfied with your recent contracts and wanting something a bit meatier to get your teeth in to. If that's the case then follow third word on a random page's advice and join a consultancy, as they'll have better access to contacts who can find these roles for you. Or you could look for interim or maternity contracts for Head of/Deputy Director/Director roles, as they'll give you the seniority you want without losing the benefits of being a contractor.
One way or the other though, you'll have to bite the bullet and take a contract eventually. Personally I don't recognise your description of "corporate meddling at all levels in the public sector", because my public sector contracts have all been direct with departments, not parasites like Atos, Capita, Serco, and other companies that seem to exist solely to do as little as possible in return for as much money as possible. (I know people who have worked for all of those companies, and others like them, and believe me "parasites" is both accurate and generous. They are a blight on our public services.) So perhaps consider direct contracts with public sector, as these can be very fulfilling. Helping make public services more efficient and effective for users, and helping the dedicated public servants that provide those services is deeply rewarding, rather than constantly working for private sector companies where it's all about making as much money as possible for rapacious owners and shareholders. Maybe public service might give you what you're looking for?
posted by underclocked at 4:29 AM on January 23, 2022
It would help to be clear with yourself what that step up actually looks like. Does it mean more technologically challenging work? Or working with a larger or more prestigious organization? Or projects with a larger scope or impact? Or having a larger budget? Does it mean having decision-making authority? Over what? Does it mean supervising others? How many? Direct reports only or managing managers?
Once you can describe clearly to yourself what you mean by “juicer projects with a higher level of seniority” then you can also describe it to your network and recruiters. These can be or statements: “I’d like to work on a project with national scope or supervise a staff.” But I would have no idea what “meaty” means and it would be hard to help.
posted by jeoc at 6:10 AM on January 23, 2022
Once you can describe clearly to yourself what you mean by “juicer projects with a higher level of seniority” then you can also describe it to your network and recruiters. These can be or statements: “I’d like to work on a project with national scope or supervise a staff.” But I would have no idea what “meaty” means and it would be hard to help.
posted by jeoc at 6:10 AM on January 23, 2022
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. Sorry to take a while to get back to you.
I think my main issue is the engrained Protestant work ethic rubbing up against the need to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.
Yes, there's lots of work available in my niche, however much of it is work that either I would not want to do for ethical reasons or is so tedious that I know I'd be climbing the walls after a couple of weeks.
I'm aiming to become a more senior practitioner in my field in order to work on projects of greater complexity and positive public impact, plus add to my range of skills, so not a transition into management or board.
Apologies for not being more straightforward in my question. I was having a particularly anxious evening of "I'll never find interesting work again". I should have edited more closely before posting.
I think the idea of joining forces with another consultant or agency is a great one. I've got a meeting next week with a senior consultant in my field to possibly scope out some joint work, so cross fingers!
posted by doornoise at 9:55 AM on January 26, 2022
I think my main issue is the engrained Protestant work ethic rubbing up against the need to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.
Yes, there's lots of work available in my niche, however much of it is work that either I would not want to do for ethical reasons or is so tedious that I know I'd be climbing the walls after a couple of weeks.
I'm aiming to become a more senior practitioner in my field in order to work on projects of greater complexity and positive public impact, plus add to my range of skills, so not a transition into management or board.
Apologies for not being more straightforward in my question. I was having a particularly anxious evening of "I'll never find interesting work again". I should have edited more closely before posting.
I think the idea of joining forces with another consultant or agency is a great one. I've got a meeting next week with a senior consultant in my field to possibly scope out some joint work, so cross fingers!
posted by doornoise at 9:55 AM on January 26, 2022
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posted by third word on a random page at 4:04 PM on January 22, 2022