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

[vwdan]

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.

[clearedforlanding]

That would depend on the rate.

[stek]

Keep on invoicing on, work on Plan B to Plan Z.......

[l35kee]

S
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.

Isn't that part and parcel of being a contractor? The stuff I'm doing now is well below my old permie pay grade. But being paid 3x as much. I'd keep invoicing, if you look hard enough there is surely something you can learn from it.

[vwdan]

That would depend on the rate.

Rate's slightly below average for me, but I have no major travel expenses so it works out to be much the same. Most of my higher rate work involves travel.

[vwdan]

Isn't that part and parcel of being a contractor? The stuff I'm doing now is well below my old permie pay grade. But being paid 3x as much. I'd keep invoicing, if you look hard enough there is surely something you can learn from it.

Not to me, no, to be honest. I've worked hard to develop a fairly niche consulting specialism and while I'm not sure where to go with that in the medium term, the stuff I'm currently doing really isn't any use whatsoever.

I mean, in your example, how does that help you get the next and better role?

[stek]

I mean, in your example, how does that help you get the next and better role?

Lying on CV of course!

[l35kee]

Not to me, no, to be honest. I've worked hard to develop a fairly niche consulting specialism and while I'm not sure where to go with that in the medium term, the stuff I'm currently doing really isn't any use whatsoever.

I mean, in your example, how does that help you get the next and better role?

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..).

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

[clearedforlanding]

Rate's slightly below average for me, but I have no major travel expenses so it works out to be much the same. Most of my higher rate work involves travel.

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.

[uk contractor]

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.