What's the limit of your "Keep Invoicing" mantra?

[vwdan]

[QUOTE=l35kee;2525919]Depends what better means. But I always try to learn something from each contract/project. Whether that be a new technical skill or observing the behaviour of someone I have never met/worked with before (both what to do, or in some cases what not to do..).

Better as in more senior, bigger projects, more advanced, more money etc etc

If I find something is boring, it's because I haven't found a way to learn something from it yet.

Sorry mate, but this is just guff. There are distinctly junior tasks and while you can nearly always put your general experience to use or use to have a play with, say, automation or whatever - the fact remains that it's impact on your skillset and kerb appeal is going to be limited.

Don't get me wrong, it's fine to enjoy a bit of laid back work for cash - I've done the same in the short term. Helped out a mate in a pinch a few summers ago and worked part time doing support work for a few weeks - was great, but only because I was home by 3pm.

[vwdan]

Keep billing and do your own thing in their time without getting caught about it either! This has happened to me so many times they hire you for something interesting then after your onsite as always the permies insist (behind your back usually) they should be doing it instead & you end up getting sidelined doing their work while they do most of the project instead.

I think with less contractor politics and more inter-company politics, but basically what's happening here.

In that case I would plod on while actively looking. It took me a couple of years to fully recover from not using my skills for 8 months. The pay was stellar, but I lost out in the long run.

What issues did you run into? Was is just that your CV had lost its edge?

[clearedforlanding]

What issues did you run into? Was is just that your CV had lost its edge?

Not really, my CV still looked good, however in interview I didn't come across as rounded - and no longer was able to talk fluently about advances in technologies in my field.

For me it triggered a very nasty bout of imposter syndrome and only after a horizontal move offered through the old school tie network did I recover.

[WTFH]

Keep billing and try to spot opportunities that will challenge you and keep you interested.
*By "opportunities" I mean primarily within the company you are currently contracting into, but also looking for other opportunities elsewhere.

It's also good to show that you can still turn your hand to old stuff, so it's not necessarily bad on your CV. The only time it would be a concern on my CV would be if I did 3+ years on old software - then I might worry about being stuck in an "out of date" rut. Otherwise I think it's good to show (certainly in my area) that your knowledge is good enough to work across different releases and styles etc.

[ladymuck]

At some point being in the wrong job is going to wear you down and you'll get stuck in a depressed rut that'll be hard to get out of. I would actively start looking for another gig before that happens. I have a tendency to leave a gig when I feel I've got as much as I can out of it. I contract because I like the flexibility to move on when I've had enough. Having a good look at the market for your skills will help you decide if it's worth hanging about for a while longer.

[SteelyDan]

Started a new contract first thing this year and I'm struggling. It's dull as dishwater and the very little work I'm doing has almost nothing to do with my core skillset and nor is it beneficial CV fodder. I was hired for my particular specialism, but they just don't seem to have the work for it - for some context, I've probably done less than 2 days worth of work in my field.

Pros:
Money is alright
Close to home (Major benefit)
Pleasant enough people/office, if a bit boring

Cons/Concerns:
Pointless me being here
They don't seem to be interested in utilising my core skillset
Worried about what I'm going to put on my CV
I'm bored. Seriously, utterly, bored and disinterested. The work I'm doing is crap I was doing 10 years ago - I mean, it's great they're happy to pay my fee for that but it's clear that they're just looking for stuff to fill my time.

There is a project due to "kick off", but so far I'm seeing that I'm again going to be away from my main skills.

So, we here a lot about "Head down, keep invoicing" but what's the limit? It's not an unpleasant place, but in terms of skills/experience I may aswell be on the bench. I really hate the idea of leaving contracts prior to completion, but I'm not sure I'm going to have much choice. I'm used to having a super punchy CV and I'm getting worried about what I'm going to write down in six months.

Main sticking point is that it's close to home which is super rare for me and that's a huge huge advantage.

So, what to do? Settle down and shut up and enjoy being at home - worry about the "career" consequences later on? Have a chat with the guy who hired me and express my concerns? Or just straight up look for another contract and say bye bye if one rolls up.

So you're a month in?

I'd personally hang on for another month and see if project 'x' happens, and if you know that you're going to be involved at the level you want to be. If not, bin it.
I'd also be looking sideways for a new role elsewhere. I take your points for hanging on [close to home, etc] but I've been in this situation before, and it's not a good existence [physically or mentally], asking yourself on a daily basis 'what the f am I doing here?'. If it's as boring as you say it is, it'll eventually show in the way you feel & how you come across...disinterested, & there'll be days when you decide you're not bothering going into work.

I'm really at my worst when I'm bored tbh, so if things don't pick up I try & extract myself from those types of contracts. The sting in the tail is that you don't know what/where your next contract is...you could end up further from home, less money, and be in the same 'bored' situation as you are now. It's a dilemma for sure, but only you can make the decision which is right for you.

[northernladuk]

At some point being in the wrong job is going to wear you down and you'll get stuck in a depressed rut that'll be hard to get out of. I would actively start looking for another gig before that happens. I have a tendency to leave a gig when I feel I've got as much as I can out of it. I contract because I like the flexibility to move on when I've had enough. Having a good look at the market for your skills will help you decide if it's worth hanging about for a while longer.

This is where I am at the moment. It really depends on where on the curve you are. 5 years ago I'd have sat there and endured just about anything just to keep billing. Now I've learned that work is there and it won't be long before something else comes along so I've relaxed my view. I look forward to time on the bench from time to time so not afraid to use it when a gig goes sour.

I'd say plan your exit so you can prove to the client it is in their best interest so you are actually doing them a favour and start looking at the market. If you can dove tail a new gig with short notice then happy days but if it's that bad I wouldn't worry about it. Couple of days in to the next gig and I wonder why I even stuck with the last one so long.

I started contracting to be flexible and manage my own work which finally I've just about started to do.

Oh, and if they are just giving you bits and bats of work I'd be adding IR35 to one of the reasons to be leaving as well.

[PerfectStorm]

Stress/depression/crippling boredom divided by need (saving up for a house, holiday, car etc)

Nothing to stop you toughing it out while applying for something new on the side

[jmo21]

I've just been extended another 2 months.

The work is nowhere as near as bad for me as yours is for you, and I am busy, but the rate is too good for where I work, AND it's WFH a large percentage of the week.

I almost want them not to extend the contract to give me a boot up the backside.

[northernladuk]

I've just been extended another 2 months.

The work is nowhere as near as bad for me as yours is for you, and I am busy, but the rate is too good for where I work, AND it's WFH a large percentage of the week.

I almost want them not to extend the contract to give me a boot up the backside.

The other half can offer that service at a reasonable price.