Boom boom boom sigh.

**Smackdown** · 28 September 2017, 18:23

That's an astonishing amount of time to spend on bench.

**perplexed** · 28 September 2017, 18:27

Originally posted by Smackdown View Post

That's an astonishing amount of time to spend on bench.

Part was deliberately taking 6 months off after minor surgery during a role - complications made that nearer 8-9 months.

There was a fair bit of messing around by a number of agencies, potential clients when was back on the market too - it's that element that's just been the tipping point really.

Couple of permie years, see how things go from there. I love the go in - get things done side of contracting, love working different places, using different skills, learning new things but utter tired of the unrelented bs that surrounds it all. There are only so many times you can tell the Indian recruiter pestering you on the phone at 7am that no, Cardiff is nowhere near Wimbledon and is not in South London...

**ladymuck** · 28 September 2017, 18:33

Hope it all goes well and whatever ailed you is resolved

**perplexed** · 28 September 2017, 19:00

Originally posted by ladymuck View Post

Hope it all goes well and whatever ailed you is resolved

Thanks. Health is sorted now, touch wood.

**Smackdown** · 28 September 2017, 19:32

Originally posted by perplexed View Post

Part was deliberately taking 6 months off after minor surgery during a role - complications made that nearer 8-9 months.

There was a fair bit of messing around by a number of agencies, potential clients when was back on the market too - it's that element that's just been the tipping point really.

Couple of permie years, see how things go from there. I love the go in - get things done side of contracting, love working different places, using different skills, learning new things but utter tired of the unrelented bs that surrounds it all. There are only so many times you can tell the Indian recruiter pestering you on the phone at 7am that no, Cardiff is nowhere near Wimbledon and is not in South London...

That 9 months sucks. I think it's easy for us contractors to say it won't happen to us, but it clearly does. I'm sure you would of done fine in London, not to worry - here's to the future =)

**oliverson** · 28 September 2017, 19:43

Originally posted by perplexed View Post

16 months on bench. Boom! Wanted for a role within 15 miles. 6 months, matches skillset and adds some new stuff.

Deboomed, seems like the client were reaching for a PS contract, swore blind they had the deal and then blamed PS org on going quiet.

Nothing else at the time, so go after perm role, which is fairly local, brings money in.

Boom! About a month delay, but I get called out of the blue over a short term contract. Already closing Ltd down so went umbrella route, things have gone ok. Groovy and Spock, DBB, TDD. Small company, excellent... probably the best gig I've ever had in 15 years of contracting. End client sad I'm having to leave to start perm role and quite frankly I'm sad to be going - only downside there is it's a bit rural for the commute.

So, my plan is put in a couple of years in this perm gig, keep head down. Leverage skills to get into newer tech and then see what happens to the contacting market. If I ever go contracting again, can learn from mistakes in the past.

I don't think your contracting career is sustainable. I've done a couple of 2-3 month stints on the bench and it nearly killed me, mentally and financially. 16 months and a mere glint of hope subsequently pulled away from you! It's not for you mate. Take a permie role and relax a little. We're not all cut out for this.,

**Smackdown** · 28 September 2017, 20:42

Originally posted by oliverson View Post

I don't think your contracting career is sustainable. I've done a couple of 2-3 month stints on the bench and it nearly killed me, mentally and financially. 16 months and a mere glint of hope subsequently pulled away from you! It's not for you mate. Take a permie role and relax a little. We're not all cut out for this.,

He said he was ill for nine, that's long enough to make it very hard to pick up another one.

**curtis** · 29 September 2017, 07:38

I don't think your contracting career is sustainable. I've done a couple of 2-3 month stints on the bench and it nearly killed me, mentally and financially.

I don't think you can say that for everyone it depends on your situation financially and how you handle it mentally some people are very happy in forced benched time.

**gables** · 29 September 2017, 08:16

Originally posted by curtis View Post

I don't think you can say that for everyone it depends on your situation financially and how you handle it mentally some people are very happy in forced benched time.

Yup, I had 6 extra months off this year, the last 3 not really planned as I was looking more actively than the previous 3. I really enjoyed the time off, my girlfriend is worried this will become a habit

Boom boom boom sigh.