[brc]

Good list. I would also add:

- don't trust agents - don't trust agents One more thing: - don't trust agents

If you find a half-honest one work with them as much as you can. They'll still try and screw you over but they might decide to be straight once in a while.

I don't blame them in a way - the competition is fierce and matching client and contractor for happy outcomes is hard. But too many of them are willing to try and renegotiate your rate down after an offer is made - 'they like you, but not at your original rate' - 99/100 this is a ruse to keep some pounds in their pocket. Learn to be firm with agents.

Find out who makes the decisions on hiring and who has budget within a company and get to know them personally. They're the ones signing your pay.

I contracted for nearly 10 years in a variety of places. It's a great life but you do have to keep an eye on your career as your skill set might start to get old, and it's hard to move onto the next thing because you don't get the chance to practice it. But I have friends who have been doing it for 20 years now, and they have made a great life out of it.

[robmcm]

I always used agents over 3.5 years and never had any problems.

They are sales people though, and obviously there are bad ones. However they are providing a service to you, (and their client), often contractors that go direct are on a worse rate, get paid a lot less frequently (3 months after each month, vs weekly in some cases) and have to deal with tedious internal HR processes.

Some times after you get used to the industry you have enough contacts to go direct, but initially an agent can really help you out.

[brc]

Yes, use them by all means - it's very difficult to get started unless you do. But don't trust them. Don't take their word for anything.