Benchtime

[hmmm]

I've seen a post with the same questions asked back in 2007 and I'm interested in the response to the same questions for 2009...


What would you lot do if you were on the bench for months on end?

At what month would you start to panic?
When would the insecurities set in?
When would you consider cross training? month 3? Month 6? a year?
How long would you give it before you started looking for permie work?

http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...ight=benchtime

[speedo]

I was on the bench for nearly 4 months and that was the point i was worrying...especially as job descriptions were product specific and i was not getting a sniff at all!!! However i had a breakthrough last week and i started work as a BA on Tuesday.... so panic over for now..... i guess the ultimate is when you start biting into your savings... prior to my new contract i had worked on a contract for 4 months and earn't enough to be on the bench for another 6 months. I looked at training options... but i didnt think they added any value to my skillset...

[pmeswani]

I've seen a post with the same questions asked back in 2007 and I'm interested in the response to the same questions for 2009...


What would you lot do if you were on the bench for months on end?

At what month would you start to panic?
When would the insecurities set in?
When would you consider cross training? month 3? Month 6? a year?
How long would you give it before you started looking for permie work?

http://forums.contractoruk.com/gener...ight=benchtime

You ride the wave. You panic when you start to notice that you only have enough money to pay the bills for the current month and no more. But if you do it right, you start to panic months before. To get by, the best thing to do is to apply for random roles that roughly matches your experience and hope that the agencies have a role that matches your experience and puts you forward for that.

[max]

What would you lot do if you were on the bench for months on end?

Go on holiday. Perhaps the Carribean.

At what month would you start to panic?

When cash < monthly spend after taking into account pending tax..they do like their dosh. How much money do you have?

When would the insecurities set in?

When you start asking question on forums

When would you consider cross training? month 3? Month 6? a year?

How long would you give it before you started looking for permie work?

Start now. If they are looking for a permie, they will have loads of reservations on taking an ex-contractor.

[VectraMan]

One day so far, and I'm not worried yet.

[thunderlizard]

Have been at it about a decade, with doses of bench time in 2001, 2007 and 1 just coming up. First time was worst because it was only about 3 months but I got down to my last few grand & even applied for a permanent job! Second time was so-so. This time I'm really looking forward to it!

What would you lot do if you were on the bench for months on end?

I always spend at least 4 hours a day either training or doing some sort of mini-project. Never came off the bench without at least an MCSD to show for it.

At what month would you start to panic?
I'd say when cash reserves are down by over 20%. Panic is a strong word though - I'd never actually do that. More like "consider pitching significantly cheaper".

When would the insecurities set in?
Much sooner. A staunch Labour upbringing and a Protestant work ethic make me feel like a shameless layabout after 2 months out. But that phase passes after about 4 months. Thinking of the Philosopher-King in Plato's Republic helps.

When would you consider cross training? month 3? Month 6? a year?
Immediately - but it's not really a function of bench time. When on the bench you can usually tell whether there's loads of work out there but none that's exactly up your street - or whether your chosen field got turned into a Barratt's estate long ago.

How long would you give it before you started looking for permie work?
I've been freelancing so long I consider myself unemployable. I'd have to run close to running out of cash entirely for that one.


Edit: just seen my answer last time around. I was such a cheery soul back then!
http://forums.contractoruk.com/246269-post18.html

[Pogle]

Hmm day 4 on the bench and I am utterly utterly depressed!
I've just had a 3 month contract and earned a tidy sum, but prior to that I was on the bench for 5 months. I'm in a very niche market and am now seriously considering permie work for a year or so, just to get the training and a bit of security. We do what we can eh?

[badger7579]

I've been on the bench 4 months now with a few interviews and the potential to go back to an old client directly (should find out either way this week)

I must say the longer you stay on the bench the easier it gets to cope with all the time you have to yourself, getting up when you want, not having to worry about a few extra pints during the week as I don’t have to get up for work etc. Obviously this is dependent on you having a big enough war chest.

I have taken one training course and passed the Windows 2008 MCTS exam to keep my technical skills up to date but other than that I've just been enjoying my time. A friend once told me that no one ever lays on their death bed and says

"I wish I'd put in a few more hours at work"

My plan is now that I'm giving myself a few more weeks to see how the market goes and if its still pants I'm planning on going to Australia for 2-3 months. I've been wanting to do it for years and I can’t see the point hanging round in the UK on the off chance of a contract in this recession. I may as well travel and try to ride it out..

[KentPhilip]

A staunch Labour upbringing and a Protestant work ethic

Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

[BlasterBates]

It's all about your war chest. As long as you have enough in there you will ride it out. Someone mentioned 2 years, I would say that would be max. You will get a job eventually as when the market recovers everyone will get something.

Look at your warchest and calculate your panic level.