Struggling To Get Contract Role

[Saffie8511]

Okay here it goes, I left my permanent job last year October through redudancy and took a bit of a break and started to look for work again in January.

A brief background, I worked for Lloyds Bank for 10 years the last 6 of which were in project delivery, namely Implementation Management/Project Management and PMO.

It has been difficult and frustrating to say the least, if I apply for 10 roles I hear back from 1 maybe to say sorry the role has been filled or some other form of rejection.

Is it just me, the market, the nature of contracting or all 3? My warchest wont last forever and am seeking advise from the professionals on here, whether it be agencies, people, organisation or even to rip apart my CV.

Any suggestions more than welcome

Thanks

[northernladyuk]

Okay here it goes, I left my permanent job last year October through redudancy and took a bit of a break and started to look for work again in January.

A brief background, I worked for Lloyds Bank for 10 years the last 6 of which were in project delivery, namely Implementation Management/Project Management and PMO.

It has been difficult and frustrating to say the least, if I apply for 10 roles I hear back from 1 maybe to say sorry the role has been filled or some other form of rejection.

Is it just me, the market, the nature of contracting or all 3? My warchest wont last forever and am seeking advise from the professionals on here, whether it be agencies, people, organisation or even to rip apart my CV.

Any suggestions more than welcome

Thanks

I have only ever landed one contract role via an ad. Have you properly worked your network?

I know some people do favour ads and there will be some good advice on tailoring CV and following up etc.

[northernladuk]

A brief background, I worked for Lloyds Bank for 10 years the last 6 of which were in project delivery, namely Implementation Management/Project Management and PMO.

So which one are you? When you apply for a gig you have to be a perfect fit. I'd take a guess you've tried to show all your experience on your CV and sell yourself as a valuable multiskilled long term asset which is OK for permie land but useless for contractors. You have to be a targeted specialist and fit the role you are applying for perfectly. Even if you re-think your approach you've only got 6 years across those three areas, so on average say 2 years actually doing it. There are PM's on the bench with 20 years in multiple organisations and a seasoned contractors. You are going to be a long way towards the back of the queue.

You are also a new contractor so a risk that you'll not be able to see the gig through.

It has been difficult and frustrating to say the least, if I apply for 10 roles I hear back from 1 maybe to say sorry the role has been filled or some other form of rejection.

Doesn't sound overly bad. Some people have to apply to 100's of gigs before they get one. It's the game. Sometimes you get the first one you apply for, other times it takes 2,3 or more months.

Is it just me, the market, the nature of contracting or all 3? My warchest wont last forever and am seeking adviCe from the professionals on here, whether it be agencies, people, organisation or even to rip apart my CV.

Probably a bit of all three I'd say, but with a focus on the first I'd guess.

[Saffie8511]

My network isnt extensive, I've reached out to a few people who said they'd have a look but were busy and never got back to me.

I always feel a little awkward approaching people but may soon have to

[Cirrus]

Previously, for project roles, I would expect an interview for every 25 leads, and 100 leads/4 months to get a role.

From occasionally looking at the market, I get the impression things are somewhat worse now, despite various people talking things up.

There are a number of skills in demand but General Purpose Financial Services PM is probably on over-supplied area.

Keep plugging away.

[Saffie8511]

I have only ever landed one contract role via an ad. Have you properly worked your network?

I know some people do favour ads and there will be some good advice on tailoring CV and following up etc.

My network isnt extensive, I've reached out to a few people who said they'd have a look but were busy and never got back to me.

I always feel a little awkward approaching people but may soon have to

[TestMangler]

My network isnt extensive, I've reached out to a few people who said they'd have a look but were busy and never got back to me.

I always feel a little awkward approaching people but may soon have to

We might know each other and you haven't asked me

[northernladuk]

We might know each other and you haven't asked me

Oh he'd know if he knew you. [emoji12]

[Saffie8511]

We might know each other and you haven't asked me

This is true, it's a small world out there.

[mudskipper]

My network isnt extensive, I've reached out to a few people who said they'd have a look but were busy and never got back to me.

I always feel a little awkward approaching people but may soon have to

The thing with contracting is you're a business - you are the marketing department, and you need to be effective or the business fails. Work your network, attend any local contractor/technical/networking events and talk to people. I get almost all my work from my contacts.

Where are you based?