IT contractor and Linux systems expert Dr Damian Igbe has successfully made the transition into a contracting career. His objective: to generate the ‘war chest’ of cash he needs so his start-up IT services business, Ominii Systems, can fully realise its growth potential.
But having been previously employed long-term by an academic institute, Igbe faced tough challenges to break into contracting, and he turned to ContractorCalculator.co.uk for advice and guidance.
“My first challenge was to refocus my CV, making it suitable for contracting clients and agencies,” explains Igbe. “Then, having secured interviews, my task was to dispel preconceptions that working for an academic employer was a disadvantage in the commercial contracting sector.
“The advice and guidance on ContractorCalculator.co.uk and the personal intervention of its CEO Dave Chaplin to deconstruct my CV were instrumental in securing my first contract,” he adds.
Restructuring an IT employee’s CV for contracting success
According to Igbe, an electrical engineer with a doctorate in computer science, his initial attempts to secure a contract by uploading his CV to job boards were unsuccessful: “I was getting calls from agencies but they were for permanent roles, because that’s how my CV was structured.”
Igbe turned to ContractorCalculator.co.uk for guidance, and its CEO Dave Chaplin. “I sent my CV to Dave via ContractorCalculator.co.uk and he deconstructed it, clearly identifying what I needed to do.”
Following Chaplin’s input, Igbe’s next steps were to hire a professional CV writer to create a ‘killer’ CV suitable for contracting roles. The results were immediate: “I started receiving calls from contractor agencies immediately, putting me forward for interviews.”
Overcoming preconceptions at interview
Having successfully overcome the CV challenge, Igbe then found himself facing another, as he explains: “Now it seemed that I might not be a good fit for commercial sector roles because I had worked for too long at an academic institute.”
Undaunted, Igbe turned the perceived disadvantage into an advantage, explaining to prospective clients that managing the team delivering cutting-edge Linux networks to thousands of students each year was every bit as challenging as in a media or financial services context. The technical challenges were the same, and academic deadlines were even tougher; missing them was simply not an option if each course was to start on time.
“When I finally won my first contract as a Linux Systems administrator for a global managed service provider, making the transition was straightforward,” continues Igbe. “I found my new colleagues highly professional and supportive, and the focus is always on delivering what the client needs – much like where I came from.”
Contracting as a stepping stone
With a young family and mortgage, Igbe admits that he was initially nervous about the risks of resigning from his secure role with his employer. But it was in the pages of this website that he found the confidence to make the leap into contracting.
“According to ContractorCalculator, handing in your resignation is the hardest part when making the transition,” he says. “Reading about how other contractors followed tried and tested processes to win their first contract gave me confidence.”
I wanted to start building my own business straight away, but the numbers and level of risk just did not stack up. Now I know that after contracting for a few years I will have a sufficient cash buffer to invest in developing Ominii Systems
Damian Igbe, Ominii Systems
Ultimately, though, Igbe has plans beyond contracting. They involve building his own business, so he sees IT contracting as a means to an end. “I wanted to start building my own business straight away, but the numbers and level of risk just did not stack up. Now I know that after contracting for a few years I will have a sufficient cash buffer to invest in developing Ominii Systems.”
Changing IT syllabus, and structure, in schools presents opportunities
Specifically, Igbe sees the changes to the UK’s IT syllabus as both a business opportunity and a chance to fulfil some personal ambitions. “I see one option for Ominii Systems as carving out a niche delivering Linux systems consultancy and training to secondary schools.
“With the surge in academy numbers, many schools no longer have the IT infrastructure support from education authorities, which I hope to provide. Furthermore, teaching students about Linux means they will have a much greater understanding of how IT works, and these skills are badly needed in the workplace.”
Igbe’s advice to would-be contractors seeking their first contract is to use the full range of support on offer, such as the guidance and advice on contracting websites such as ContractorCalculator.co.uk.
He also urges perseverence: “Although at times it felt like I was making no progress, in the end it took me about two months to secure my first contract. I knew I had skills and experience that clients desired and, with help and support, I identified how best to present them.”