• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Concerned....

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Concerned....

    Hi. Found this site and am posting in desperation really...

    Partner has been a contractor for about 7 years. During that time he's had pretty much back to back contracts. Last one ended early June. Was in no immediate rush to find something, with pending holiday and kids off school etc., so took about 6 weeks off. Back beginning of August and started searching in earnest. Have had no response at all. Nothing. No interviews. A few calls from agents at the start, putting him forward for suitable roles, but didn't get picked for interview. All the agencies he's spoken to say it is dead, and has been since Spring. 100's of applicants for each role they put out. Even started applying for a few permi roles, but still no response. One friendly agent looked over his CV, and said it was fine, so its not like he's made some 'faux pas' with it!

    Getting worried now that in a week or two it will die completely until the new year, which means his CV will have at least a 6+ month gap. Do agents/clients see this as a negative, even in the current market state? I think he is getting despondent at the lack of leads, and beginning to wonder just how long it will be before he gets back into a role.

    Is he doing something wrong? Or has he just been lucky in the past, and its the norm to have long breaks between contracts now a days....?

    Any guidance would be much appreciated.

    #2
    I'm afraid that the contracting market is rubbish at the moment due to RBS dumping a load (1000+) of contractors in September followed by DWP dump 900+ a few weeks ago.

    You can see the thread here for a more detailed discussion.

    I'm afraid you're going need to tell your partner not to be too choosy if he has been in the past - he's going to need to look further afield for contracts from now on.
    "I can put any old tat in my sig, put quotes around it and attribute to someone of whom I've heard, to make it sound true."
    - Voltaire/Benjamin Franklin/Anne Frank...

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Worried123 View Post

      Getting worried now that in a week or two it will die completely until the new year, which means his CV will have at least a 6+ month gap. Do agents/clients see this as a negative, even in the current market state? I think he is getting despondent at the lack of leads, and beginning to wonder just how long it will be before he gets back into a role.
      In the credit crunch after Lehman Brothers collapsed there were contractors out for 12 months to two years. As long as he can prove where he was if questioned and show proof then he will have no issues.

      Any agent who questions him doesn't know their job or is trying to reduce his rate.


      Originally posted by Worried123 View Post
      Is he doing something wrong? Or has he just been lucky in the past, and its the norm to have long breaks between contracts now a days....?
      Nope.

      Originally posted by Worried123 View Post
      Or has he just been lucky in the past, and its the norm to have long breaks between contracts now a days....?
      Yes he's been lucky in the past. Every 8-10 years there is a recession in the IT market where companies don't hire contractors for some reason or another. As long as you don't spend all that you earn so you have enough to live on in lean times, and are willing to widen your working area e.g. staying away from home during the week you should be able to find a role.
      "You’re just a bad memory who doesn’t know when to go away" JR

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by cojak View Post

        I'm afraid you're going need to tell your partner not to be too choosy if he has been in the past - he's going to need to look further afield for contracts from now on.
        ...but still choose your clients wisely. A lesson I've just learned the hard way.

        Comment


          #5
          Do you mind me asking what area he's in?

          Comment


            #6
            Don't get too fussed about being out too long. I remember in the early 2000's a contractor or two reporting they were finally back in work after being 2 years out.
            I'm alright Jack

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Elliegirl View Post
              Do you mind me asking what area he's in?
              Project Manager. Mostly Infrastructure I think. (I think you guys call a PM a 'soft skill'?)
              He does have a technical background though, as before becoming a contractor he was a network engineer / network manager, then an IT Manager. He's been told he knows what he's talking about when doing projects! All contracts have been seen through from start to finish. He's only worked in the Banking/Finance area though, which is probably another downer at present as well......

              Thanks for your comments. Will just have to keep chin up and hope that something turns up soon...

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Stevie Wonder Boy
                About RBS ... Yes they dumped the project, but I hear that the W&G will go ahead with another party and this is now gearing up.
                RBS also dumped another 300 (none W&G) in mid-October... The market north of the border is supposedly utterly horrendous.

                Yep W&G seems to be on its way to Clydesdale - I personally think the value of the business is about £0 given the existing IT systems, so they are going to be overpaying..
                merely at clientco for the entertainment

                Comment


                  #9
                  Gaps aren't great for many reasons however with contracting something can come out of the blue. I was very close to going perm this summer (after six months out) when I got a gig out of nothing, not even an interview, agreed friday, started on the Tuesday. tulip happens, but so can gigs. Can depend on what market/skillset/technology your OH is in though.

                  Keep positive, good luck.

                  qh
                  He had a negative bluety on a quackhandle and was quadraspazzed on a lifeglug.

                  I look forward to your all knowing and likely sarcastic and unhelpful reply.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Worried123 View Post
                    Hi. Found this site and am posting in desperation really... Partner has been a contractor for about 7 years. [Snip]
                    Maybe he could learn to use the Internet during this "down time"? Then he could post for himself...
                    nomadd liked this post

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X