State of the Market

[GhostofTarbera]

Is this literally the worst time of 2019 to be looking for a role?


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Nope, it was worse in the summer


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[SussexSeagull]

Nope, it was worse in the summer


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You kind of expect that though. There was a bit of a bounce first week in September but other than that absolutely terrible.

[Paralytic]

Is this literally the worst time of 2019 to be looking for a role?

My local McDonalds are always looking for new staff.

(you didn't say what work you do, or where, so I've made assumptions )

[PerfectStorm]

Coming up to 2 months on the bench and wondering if I'll eventually lose all my war chest, default on my mortgage and end up in the tulipter.

It's an awfully bipolar way of life isn't it? Some days you'll get 4 phone calls and feel on top of the world, times you're waiting weeks for an interview where you get turned down.

[SteelyDan]

Coming up to 2 months on the bench and wondering if I'll eventually lose all my war chest, default on my mortgage and end up in the tulipter.

It's an awfully bipolar way of life isn't it? Some days you'll get 4 phone calls and feel on top of the world, times you're waiting weeks for an interview where you get turned down.

Get out of the house, leave your phone at home, and go walking or something & get away from it all for a few hours...& give yourself a break from 'contractoruk', would be my advice. All intended in a non-offensive way btw, I've been there, done that, & know just how 5hite each day can become. Fresh air works wonders some times.

[Hobosapien]

Coming up to 2 months on the bench and wondering if I'll eventually lose all my war chest, default on my mortgage and end up in the tulipter.

It's an awfully bipolar way of life isn't it? Some days you'll get 4 phone calls and feel on top of the world, times you're waiting weeks for an interview where you get turned down.

The state of the market may already be in the early stages of a perfect storm (), what with Brexit still not certain to be sorted by 31st October so many clients on hold investment/hiring wise, the spectre of IR35 changes already making some clients twitchy, and the global economy likely heading for a recession (interest rates already in 'emergency' measures since 2008 financial crash) and potentially another war that the UK gets dragged into on behalf of the USA and it's 'allies' in the Middle East.

My personal tips for dealing with bench time:

Use the spare time between contracts to assess what you can and want to do to mitigate any financial risk that being out of contract presents. Reduce expenditure (mothball things non-essential until income allows), find alternative ways of making some money (I did a big clear-out of non-sentimental 'junk' when a long stint between contracts threatened financial ruin, sold the lot at local car boots or 'first come gets a table' market stall days), upskill if there are potential alternative roles you could relatively easily move into if they appeal, do some local volunteering/charity work (also helps with any gaps on the CV), other activities to stay active both physically and mentally.

On top of that, today is the best day to be looking for a new contract. Yesterday's gone and there is no guarantee what tomorrow brings so today is all we have. Just spend the time wisely and don't just focus on dealing with agents and chasing a contract. Put your feet up and have a brew glad that you're not stuck in a permie job you hate paying minimum wage.

Something always turns up and sometimes it takes a depleted warchest to find the motivation and inspiration to discover it.

Contracting is a state of mind. It's a lovely day tomorrow.

[oliverson]

Get out of the house, leave your phone at home, and go walking or something & get away from it all for a few hours...& give yourself a break from 'contractoruk', would be my advice. All intended in a non-offensive way btw, I've been there, done that, & know just how 5hite each day can become. Fresh air works wonders some times.

Exactly the above. Been there before as well, in fact over a couple of years on and off in the financial crisis. It literally can be mind-bending. Only escape for me was getting on the golf course for a few hours. Then I knew what pain and suffering were really about! Cruel game.

[Paralytic]

Get out of the house, leave your phone at home, and go walking or something & get away from it all for a few hours...& give yourself a break from 'contractoruk', would be my advice. All intended in a non-offensive way btw, I've been there, done that, & know just how 5hite each day can become. Fresh air works wonders some times.

My last couple of contracts have had 2-3 month gaps between them and I enjoyed the break - i see it as one of the main benefits of contracting.

I had holiday with the wife, did some work in the garden, painted fences, laid slabs, did some geeking about (home automation), went for a walk or a run. Perhaps I was fortunate that i have/had a warchest and I might have felt different if it went to 4 or 5 months.

[northernladuk]

Get out of the house, leave your phone at home, and go walking or something & get away from it all for a few hours...& give yourself a break from 'contractoruk', would be my advice. All intended in a non-offensive way btw, I've been there, done that, & know just how 5hite each day can become. Fresh air works wonders some times.

Funny you should say that. I've just started walking dogs (missus won't let us have a dog) at the local animal sanctuary to give me some routine and time out and it's bloody great!! I'm absolutely awful on the bench, no routine, motivation but the dog walking is the best thing I've done in a very long time. Now I've something to look forward to and have to do when I get back and feel proper invigorated when I get home and fired in to the hunting. Definitely recommend it.

[oliverson]

Funny you should say that. I've just started walking dogs (missus won't let us have a dog) at the local animal sanctuary to give me some routine and time out and it's bloody great!! I'm absolutely awful on the bench, no routine, motivation but the dog walking is the best thing I've done in a very long time. Now I've something to look forward to and have to do when I get back and feel proper invigorated when I get home and fired in to the hunting. Definitely recommend it.

Until winter comes around!