State of the Market

[heyya99]

So why did you need to ask?

I wanted the OP's opinion. I was surprised s/he seems relaxed about it.

[SussexSeagull]

I wanted the OP's opinion. I was surprised s/he seems relaxed about it.

Does it matter if he is relaxed about it or not? He can't change the fact. It would be like having concerns about gravity, i.e. you can't do anything about it.

Each and every agent is different. Some don't like seeing short term contracts. Some probably don't like long gaps.

Sadly those are the cards we are dealt.

[SueEllen]

Agents are numpties. Even if you have been contracting chocablock for years, they still want to know 'what ya been up to' since the last one ended. Ya'll are deluded if you think breaks aren't a disadvantage in these competitive times.

They are just checking you haven't been held at her Majesty's pleasure or have holidayed doing particular activities.

[heyya99]

Does it matter if he is relaxed about it or not? He can't change the fact. It would be like having concerns about gravity, i.e. you can't do anything about it.

Each and every agent is different. Some don't like seeing short term contracts. Some probably don't like long gaps.

Sadly those are the cards we are dealt.

It may not matter to you but then again, you didn't ask the question.

I, on the other hand, did ask. I asked because I'm on a break and enjoying it. The only nagging doubt I have about this break is having to explain to agents that I'm a contractor who took a break between gigs to upskill/recharge batteries.

If the OP told me their breaks don't concern them as they've never disadvantaged them before then that's an opinion I might value.

[northernladuk]

It may not matter to you but then again, you didn't ask the question.

I, on the other hand, did ask. I asked because I'm on a break and enjoying it. The only nagging doubt I have about this break is having to explain to agents that I'm a contractor who took a break between gigs to upskill/recharge batteries.

If the OP told me their breaks don't concern them as they've never disadvantaged them before then that's an opinion I might value.

If you are good it won't be a problem.

[curtis]

If you are good it won't be a problem

That's said a lot but if its not an agent you know and have a good relationship with then how will the company know if the client never sees your CV as the agent has decided you are more of a problem as you have a gap regardless of your skills and decide on another 5 CVs to put before your if not instead of yours and dismiss yours completely.

[SussexSeagull]

That's said a lot but if its not an agent you know and have a good relationship with then how will the company know if the client never sees your CV as the agent has decided you are more of a problem as you have a gap regardless of your skills and decide on another 5 CVs to put before your if not instead of yours and dismiss yours completely.

In my experience getting through an agent you don't have any history with is extremely difficult anyway.

All about the network now.

[uk contractor]

Keep looking everyone do not give up a lot of roles were posted on Jobserve yesterday by agencies.

[SussexSeagull]

Keep looking everyone do not give up a lot of roles were posted on Jobserve yesterday by agencies.

Purely based on my experience there wasn't much of a wind down over Christmas. December was the best month in the search so far and Jobserve is fairly much back to normal already (granted not an entirely reliable metric).

Last time I was looking for something at the end of the year the industry seemed to pack up in mid November!

[gables]

I left my permie job in June 2014, took a seven month break, secured contract that started Feb 2015.

It doesn't have to hold you back.