How do you get new contracts...?

[MrMarkyMark]

That's quite an assumption.

Well, unless he's lying his other half is expecting......so unless there has been a recent medical break through I'm unaware of, I'm safe

[Newbe]

1. look in wider area (even nationally)
2. call agents and ask them about your area of expertise
3. call agents and ask them to review your cv
4. suck it up and go perm and look for a gig while on probabtion

So you do 'cold call' agents then? As I originally asked, I was unsure about this, having heard from other contractors that it does no good what so ever, as agencies will not be interested in you unless there is a sniff of earning money from it....Also told it was no use chasing about roles you'd applied for, as they would be hot on the phone to you after applying, if they thought you were a suitable candidate.....

I am currently looking/ applying for contract work within a 50 mile radius of home (South Coast) No point looking nationally as I really can't relocate. I will start looking at the perm roles if that means I get something sooner....

[northernladuk]

50 miles? South coast? Good luck with that. It's slim pickings using that radius around Manchester let alone down there.

[diseasex]

So you do 'cold call' agents then? As I originally asked, I was unsure about this, having heard from other contractors that it does no good what so ever, as agencies will not be interested in you unless there is a sniff of earning money from it....Also told it was no use chasing about roles you'd applied for, as they would be hot on the phone to you after applying, if they thought you were a suitable candidate.....

I am currently looking/ applying for contract work within a 50 mile radius of home (South Coast) No point looking nationally as I really can't relocate. I will start looking at the perm roles if that means I get something sooner....

You need more info man. Besides - have you got anything better to do? Call them and sell yourself.

[stek]

I am currently looking/ applying for contract work within a 50 mile radius of home (South Coast) No point looking nationally as I really can't relocate. I will start looking at the perm roles if that means I get something sooner....

Christ on a bike - my search radius is anywhere in EU while we're still in it, and even CIS, Gulf etc, I think in 20-odd years of contracting I've only had two contracts within 50 miles.

If you narrow down so much you'd be better off taking a local perm job, cos you're not gonna see a contract for freaking long time......

[FarmerPalmer]

I am currently looking/ applying for contract work within a 50 mile radius of home (South Coast) No point looking nationally as I really can't relocate. I will start looking at the perm roles if that means I get something sooner....

The South Coast is difficult. I am from Poole and wasn't much around when I needed it, so I got a permie job with relocation up near the M4 then after 2 years left and went contracting. Since then (20+ years) I have been lucky enough to always find work within 25 miles of home.

I guess the Portsmouth/Southampton area might also be better, with work along the M3.

It depends on where on the South Coast you are, and what your specialism is.

[jamesbrown]

50 mile radius of home

To state the bleedin' obvious, as others have done above, that right there is your problem (on the South Coast). Perhaps consider moving into a field where you can WFH, long-term, which might include specialising a lot more than you do now. Otherwise, you'll either need to reconsider your search radius or reconsider contracting.

[kevpuk]

I live in Bournemouth area, and 2 of my last 3 gigs have been London - admittedly, 'near' side. It is under 2hrs each way, or stay up for a few days - personally, I generally work 3-4 days in the office, and 1-2 from home each week, and rent a room when there.
The other gig from those 3 was in Southampton, and that took me an hour each way

[WTFH]

Contractors have temporary jobs and generally have to travel for them. It's not uncommon to fly to a contract or to drive for 2+ hours each way. Get used to staying in hotels a few nights a week.
To limit yourself to a 50 mile radius from the coast (and by being on the coast you are losing half the area) you are going to struggle to get contracts or the higher rates that come with a bit of travel.

[quackhandle]

It depends on where on the South Coast you are, and what your specialism is.

Oddly enough I'm down in that neck of the woods. I'd go further to say it depends on where you live, what your specialism is, what rate you'd accept, public sector or private, how far you travel, etc. So many things to consider when taking a new gig. Rate I'm on now is okay I'm taking a whack on overnight stays and train fares, but I'm invoicing. Lot to be said for that.

Good luck.

qh