Help finding next Contract

[MrMarkyMark]

Can't really talk about the Capita framework, but:

5 weeks is nothing. That can happen in a good market (although by most accounts it isn't a good market at the moment.

By all means use Jobserve but unless you have some seriously in demand skills it is a lottery. Concentrate on contacts and networking.

Exactly this.
Worked out alright in the end though

I will expand that comment, over the last 14 years, or so, my business has faced ups and downs.
I have never, apart from at the start of my contracting "career", worried about not having a contract for 5 weeks.....even up to a year in certain cases.

Point being people need to think long rather than very short term, if they wish to carry on doing this.

My Mrs. has just started a very nice all expenses paid second contract and she has been out a year.
However, she has been doing other business for a software company in the mean time, one of the things that attracted her to the client.

[kaiser78]

By all means use Jobserve but unless you have some seriously in demand skills it is a lottery. Concentrate on contacts and networking.

I got my latest contract through networking - it does work !

[SlipTheJab]

Slip knows that. He was making the point that even people working in the PS now don't have a clue. To be fair his mate knowing this is even coming puts him ahead of most PS guys.

+1, He knows it's coming but doesn't seem to have a plan for it, given he's been in that contract for 3 years, T&S isn't an issue, IR35 will be though. He's trying to convince me to apply there as they are desperate for contract devs

[SussexSeagull]

I got my latest contract through networking - it does work !

Only game in town at the moment.

[jas]

Thanks. I recognise networking is the way to go. I have been to some events which weren't very relevant and some that were more. Can anyone advice on the best expo's, networking opportunities out there? (location not a problem as long as they work)

Thanks,
Jas

[northernladuk]

Thanks. I recognise networking is the way to go. I have been to some events which weren't very relevant and some that were more. Can anyone advice on the best expo's, networking opportunities out there? (location not a problem as long as they work)

Thanks,
Jas

Not wanting to be rude but isn't being able to find this out, attending the right ones and crossing the palms of the right people what networking is about. Asking people which events to attend isn't really networking.

I also tend to think networking is about leveraging existing contacts that know you and your skills and can recommend you upwards etc. Attending events as a bod looking for some work about the same as cold calling?

Or am I being a bit harsh here?

[MrMarkyMark]

Not wanting to be rude but isn't being able to find this out, attending the right ones and crossing the palms of the right people what networking is about. Asking people which events to attend isn't really networking.

I also tend to think networking is about leveraging existing contacts that know you and your skills and can recommend you upwards etc. Attending events as a bod looking for some work about the same as cold calling?

Or am I being a bit harsh here?

I would say it depends.
If you specialise in a particular software you can meet potential customers at new release events.

This is a form of networking, however my primary understanding of it, leveraging existing contacts is the same as yours.

[Major Hassle]

I would say it depends.
If you specialise in a particular software you can meet potential customers at new release events.

This is a form of networking, however my primary understanding of it, leveraging existing contacts. is the same as yours.

Some things never change it's not what you know but WHO and what. My current contract came from leveraging my existing contacts.

[quackhandle]

Not wanting to be rude but isn't being able to find this out, attending the right ones and crossing the palms of the right people what networking is about. Asking people which events to attend isn't really networking.

I also tend to think networking is about leveraging existing contacts that know you and your skills and can recommend you upwards etc. Attending events as a bod looking for some work about the same as cold calling?

Or am I being a bit harsh here?

I wouldn't say harsh but you have to be realistic, you may walk into a gig from one networking seminar but it's highly unlikely. You have to be aware that many people who attend these things, won't have a clue and about specialist technical work you are offering (programming, databases, etc) I've been to loads over the last year and one I went to a few times, nothing was happening, then one guy said you don't live in this county, they tend to only hire local, it's just the way it works, new faces don't really get a look in.

I went to a large NW thing at the NIA a few weeks ago and out of the 100 or so companies there I managed to speak to the only one who understood what I did and how we could help each other going forward, and there is possibility of some work in the pipeline.

It can feel like cold calling, but like most things, managing your time effectively certainty helps.

qh

[SueEllen]

Not wanting to be rude but isn't being able to find this out, attending the right ones and crossing the palms of the right people what networking is about. Asking people which events to attend isn't really networking.

I also tend to think networking is about leveraging existing contacts that know you and your skills and can recommend you upwards etc. Attending events as a bod looking for some work about the same as cold calling?

Or am I being a bit harsh here?

No with your first paragraph but yes with your second.

There is no such thing as wrong events as long as there is a chance to talk to loads of people afterwards. Contracts can come just from knowing random people as long as you aren't mercenary.