War chest Almost Depleted and Getting Desperate

[northernladuk]

OT but it might be an idea cleaning up the stickies in Business/Contracts as there is now 8

Lose the Germany one (not been updated in over a year), move the PS one to one of the sub forums in L&A and is the survey one still relevant?

And clean up the forums by handing out bans to people posting Off Topic stuff in the stickies. Thanks muchly...

[SimonMac]

And clean up the forums by handing out bans to people posting Off Topic stuff in the stickies. Thanks muchly...

Isn't asking for a ban a banning offence?

[cojak]

OT but it might be an idea cleaning up the stickies in Business/Contracts as there is now 8

Lose the Germany one (not been updated in over a year), move the PS one to one of the sub forums in L&A and is the survey one still relevant?

Good idea.

[Old Greg]

Good idea.

The sticky about behaviour needs an update around the Psychocandy Exception.

[BolshieBastard]

If people are finding the market for them has long time died, they are no longer getting interviews after doing all the usual stuff and, war chest is all but depleted ie cutting back outgoings, repeatedly phoning agents, dropping rates, widening work location etc, they need to sit down and have a serious think where they are headed.

The contract market has undoubtedly changed. I take no pleasure saying 'I told you so' but anyone in this game 5 years ago could see the writing was on the wall. The next 5 years will be worse imho especially when the 'new' IR35 interpretation is up and running in the private sector.

You need to start looking at permanent roles but be aware, while many agents will say your contracting history wont make a difference, most clients will not agree. They will bin you almost immediately unless you make it quite clear in your cv you are no longer in the contracting game.

You need to weave it into your cv that you want continuity from a permanent role to build long term development, not just for yourself, but also the targetted company and whatever application or product they have available.

If you are in this position of no work, no interviews and little money, you need to make clear to everyone in the chain you consider your contracting days are over. Any hint that you intend to go back contracting once the market picks up will see both agents and clients drop you quicker than ducks going south in winter.

Yes, there will always be the odd exceptions who have managed to keep their heads above water, bag a permie role then go back contracting. But if you are struggling, really struggling, being one of the exceptions isnt your lifeboat. Getting work and income is. You need to concentrate on that and maybe accept a non IT role to keep your head above water.

Good luck because very few other people will help you.

[SussexSeagull]

Can only speak from personal experience but I am not sure Contracting has got much better or worse in the last decade. I have varied from getting a contract within two weeks of leaving the previous one up to a horrible break of a year post Referendum vote. The two big variables being the economy/market confidence and good fortune.

[Hellcat]

Can only speak from personal experience but I am not sure Contracting has got much better or worse in the last decade. I have varied from getting a contract within two weeks of leaving the previous one up to a horrible break of a year post Referendum vote. The two big variables being the economy/market confidence and good fortune.

Thirteen years of contracting, have found contracts within a week and been looking for over a year. Sometimes there is no current market demand for your skill set. Just have to accept that this is part of contracting. Currently been looking 8 months but been out for 11. I am fortunate to have an Current Account Mortgage (CAM) so have no money worries. May be worth getting an Offset mortgage to give you access that extra cash when you need it? Recently, contracts have been longer but so have the gaps between (my personal experience). Enjoy the break. Rather be an out of work contractor than a perm.

[quackhandle]

Thirteen years of contracting, have found contracts within a week and been looking for over a year. Sometimes there is no current market demand for your skill set. Just have to accept that this is part of contracting. Currently been looking 8 months but been out for 11. I am fortunate to have an Current Account Mortgage (CAM) so have no money worries. May be worth getting an Offset mortgage to give you access that extra cash when you need it? Recently, contracts have been longer but so have the gaps between (my personal experience). Enjoy the break. Rather be an out of work contractor than a perm.

I think you have 100% missed the point of this thread.

qh

[Hellcat]

I think you have 100% missed the point of this thread.

qh

Having a flexible mortgage has always helped me out when the job market is quiet. Don't understand why you think I have missed the point?

[northernladuk]

Having a flexible mortgage has always helped me out when the job market is quiet. Don't understand why you think I have missed the point?

I think he means some of the people on this thread are getting desperate so suggesting they enjoy the break is not the way to go.