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

[CptnJohnson]

I finally started looking proper mid-January and was on the bench for 2 weeks, although 1 week was waiting for the client to say when they needed me to start.

Based in the Yorkshire, and I took a basic sys admin role for 5 months. Market seemed ok, I was a little worried based on what I'd read on this site about the impending market collapse but I didn't really see it, although I assume sys admin isn't what most people are looking for, but for my 1st contract it I thought it was pretty cool.

[bobhope]

When I started contracting (10 years ago), I thought I could take 3-6 months off per year. Has it happened? Of course not, I work 240 days year (so 4 weeks off including bank holidays).

The problem is that this game has a definite shelf-life. My nominal rate hasn't increased since 2000 (and in real terms has fallen 30%)


TazMaN summed it up really. If I could guarantee that the next 20 years would be okay, then I would take the 3 months a year in a flash.

Unfortunately, that's not the case. We (contractors) are under attack and have been for some time: government, IR35, offshoring, consultancies, skilled work visas, etc.

I think it's entirely plausible that in 10-20 years time, this game won't be worth playing. I suspect that's already true at the lower levels (support, etc)

[PAH]

I think it's entirely plausible that in 10-20 years time, this game won't be worth playing. I suspect that's already true at the lower levels (support, etc)

Yeah, by then most IT contracts will be on a similar pay level as permies and we'll finally have been demoted to the temp workers that the government wants.

[NickNick]

When I started contracting (10 years ago), I thought I could take 3-6 months off per year. Has it happened? Of course not, I work 240 days year (so 4 weeks off including bank holidays).

It all depends on what you want out of it though. I have some savings to get me through and plan for three months off a year; and I make sure that I take em.

[dawson]

I've been contracting almost a year to the day now. First contract was for 3 months and I got offered my second contract before it ended so took no time off at that point. The second was meant to be for 3 months but it ended a few weeks early because the work dried up so I took a weeks holiday and started looking again when I got back and luckily got offered a new one within a few days which I'm still at. They even let me take a month off over Christmas and new year.

Web developer by the way.

[shoes]

I think it's entirely plausible that in 10-20 years time, this game won't be worth playing. I suspect that's already true at the lower levels (support, etc)

Ok, but at that point the alternative is likely to be something that is unavoidably full time. You start another kind of business and it will take all of your time from you. You work for an employer and again your life is not your own. Now is the time you are able to take a few months off a year so now is the time to take advantage of that. Of course it makes sense to schedule this time off sensibly considering the likely availability of work for your skillset, but not taking this time when it is there is something I personally would certainly regret during my potential future of wage slavery / cardboard box habitation.

[beaker]

Just finished my 5th week on the bench after finishing a very challenging (ie frustrating) contract and my MBA. The break has been great and I saved up 3 months worth of salary beforehand to support myself. It's given me a chance to think about what I want to do with my life. I've also decided I would go mad if I retired anytime soon.

Over the last 2 weeks I've applied for various MBA programmes, executive jobs and much higher paying contracts. Had a few interviews this week and I think I'll have something in the bag by the end of next week.

Ready to get back into it again now. I'd quite like to do the same after the next 12 months.

[Jason]

I took half of november and all of december off. Been fully booked since then. My booking sheet has me busy till end of March so far. I am a little different from most guys here though. I do lots of very short term work. My typical bit of work is a 3 day gig, and I manage to keep my diary full with that, except for November/December time. Very slow for me that time of year.

[lukemg]

On the bench since end of Dec and the splinters are starting to annoy. Should have stuck with the working away gig I had, it was getting very annoying but that fades quite quickly ! Would defo be happier if it was spring/summer when I could set my schedule up around playing golf. Response has been very patchy and I am not converting to interviews at the moment. Got a couple of things ticking over and it can all turn round in one phone call but I am getting a bit bored. Got to keep the confidence up, it's easy to talk yourself down a bit and change your expectations. I have plenty of cash stashed but you still want to feel you can get back in the game !
Like the man says, think you have to plan your retirement as carefully as your working life or it will be a struggle !
Heads up and good luck to all !

[tim123]

On the bench since end of Dec and the splinters are starting to annoy. Should have stuck with the working away gig I had, !

Putting yourself on the Bench at the end of December is not a very sensible thing to do, couldn't you have negotiated a three month extension?

tim