3 Months On The Bench

[kaiser78]

Today marks 3 months on the bench for me and I am now getting concerned this is the longest I have been out of contract, especially as several of my colleagues have moved into new contracts during this time, and at the moment there are so few leads coming through.

I am taking the standard approach that I always do of;
- updated and tailored CV to specific roles being advertised (but not bending the truth)
- regular trawling of job sites - the usual ones and sending CVs through in response to ads
- ringing agents directly when a lead comes up and CV sent through
- contacting helpful agents I have been in touch with in the past
- checking the jobs section on LinkedIn, although most seem to be permie roles
- posting updates on LinkedIn and keeping in touch with contractor and permie colleagues

What else could I be doing that I may be missing out on ?

[FatLazyContractor]

Not sure what your core competencies/areas of work are, but are you looking at upskilling as an investment?

May not apply to you if you aren't an IT developer, however there are loads of websites (pluralsight etc) that you could use to learn new stuff and bloat your CV.... Not that this could change the way things are, but an investment nonetheless.

[kaiser78]

Not sure what your core competencies/areas of work are, but are you looking at upskilling as an investment?

May not apply to you if you aren't an IT developer, however there are loads of websites (pluralsight etc) that you could use to learn new stuff and bloat your CV.... Not that this could change the way things are, but an investment nonetheless.

Background/skillset is project and programme management.

[Eirikur]

Does your LinkedIn say you are available, also make a post every week on LinkedIn saying you are available (this always results in several calls for me)
Just view all agents that are in your contact list (and outside your contact list) as a lot of them will view you back

[BolshieBastard]

No doubt others will be along soon saying the market is booming because they are getting 3 or 4 calls a day \ week. Getting calls doesnt equate to a booming or energetic market, all it signifies is agents doing a lot of cold calling. Getting 3 or 4 firm offers after interview is the only indication of an upturn.

Sadly, more and more contractors are finding it harder to get work. In my (previous) experience, roles being advertised at a client you've previously worked at is the best way to pick up the next contract as they like to engage people they know and hopefully, trust!

Unfortunately this also means if you havent been at a number of clients for 2, 3 or even 4 years, you may struggle.

However, I think its a question of accepting the fact that you will spend more time on the bench, making regular calls to agents (your own cold calling) and using twitter, linkedin etc more to view what's out there.

Finally, there's always the permie option where the current market does seem to be taking up the slack. Only prob there is convincing agents and clients that you are serious and will take the right package.

[tarbera]

Get your CV professionally updated

[quackhandle]

Have you tried going direct with any companies nearby tech parks and the like? Can be hit and miss and you have to get it in quick that you aren't a pimp.

Fingers crossed you get sorted. I was on the bench last year from Nov to mid Jan. Wasn't the best of Christmases watching the warchest get smaller each month.

qh

[bracken]

In my (previous) experience, roles being advertised at a client you've previously worked at is the best way to pick up the next contract as they like to engage people they know and hopefully, trust!

Ideally the OP letting previous clients know about their availability means the role won't get advertised in the first place...

[Project Monkey]

Have you considered retiring?

[Avalonia]

Two months on the bench for me , I loathed my last gig so much I turned down an extension . You've got to expect some time out anyway working all the hours God sends is a recipe for burnout. Work to live .