HOW LONG YOU ARE IN BENCH ??...!!!!:confused:

[weemster]

I'm an HTML developer and been on the bench for 10 years.

[tim123]

thanks tim...

I forgot to add, that I have/had no geographical constraints.

As well as the expected locations of: Cambridge, Swindon and Reading, I had been put forward for (and was keen on) jobs in Paris and Edinburgh before settling to come back here (which is Sweden in case you haven't read any of my posts that made that clear).

Only one of the above applications resulted in an interview (Swindon!)

tim

[BarbarianAtTheDoor]

I have only been back in the UK for 3 workdays, but I already find the current market situation a bit underwhelming. Trouble is, I usually received between 6-10 calls from agents on a single day and nowadays I hardly get any. Maybe 2-3 a day.

It's weird how a 2 month holiday can make all the difference in the world. I was flooded with offers in the middle of December.

[Spacecadet]

i noticed that the agencies didn't call me at all last month, usually i get a few a week.
Its starting to pick up again though.

Doesn't effect me though, 2 years, 3 contracts and i've had -3 weeks of bench time

[VectraMan]

Doesn't effect me though, 2 years, 3 contracts and i've had -3 weeks of bench time

affect

I had 5 weeks nearly two years ago, and then I had to take a bit of a rate cut to get something. I'll be looking again in April, but I'm not worried: there seem to be quite a few good jobs for me now and if anything April should be better.

[lilelvis2000]

I've currently been benched for about 7 weeks now. I have a little bit of work from my previous client coming down the pipe. Part of because the DBAs can't get their asses in gear - All I need is the database link and the views setup please!!!! and part which is now caught up in the process quagmire (Solution proposal, requirements, testing plan, documentation et al) - Which if the want it all I told them would cost $$$ ( but that's okay)

So here I wait and wait..and hunt around a bit, but nothing that suits.

[Darren_Test]

are you getting that mny calls from pimps...????

[shoes]

I find it interesting that most of you seem to view bench time as something you want to avoid. Personally being sat in an office is something I want to avoid, being able to afford bench time is the reason I went contracting in the first place. This makes me wonder why you guys are in the game at all, your life styles still consist mostly of having your nose to the grindstone; Apart from not being treated like crap by your client/employer what are you gaining by working all year in a contract role versus a permie role? More money sure, but what are you doing with it? Buying a shinier car to commute to work in?

Time is precious, don't spend so much of it at a desk in an office!

[Spooner]

Time is precious, don't spend so much of it at a desk in an office!

Wise words.

I'm working to pay off the mortgage and then that's it for me in IT.

On the bench for 4 weeks now but things have really moved this last two days.

[lilelvis2000]

I find it interesting that most of you seem to view bench time as something you want to avoid. Personally being sat in an office is something I want to avoid, being able to afford bench time is the reason I went contracting in the first place. This makes me wonder why you guys are in the game at all, your life styles still consist mostly of having your nose to the grindstone; Apart from not being treated like crap by your client/employer what are you gaining by working all year in a contract role versus a permie role? More money sure, but what are you doing with it? Buying a shinier car to commute to work in?

Time is precious, don't spend so much of it at a desk in an office!

Whilst on the bench I am helping my wife's business and I feel no pressure - aside from the wife constantly moving furniture and hence the computers and cables. I am able to do some reading and playing with e-commerce and most of all.....spend more time with the kids.