My phone nearly rang off the hook yesterday....

[PaulCD]

I had a call from my client yesterday asking me to come back onboard on Monday until at least the end of June. This thing could see me right up to my holiday at the end of July at this rate.

[TheRefactornator]

I had a call from my client yesterday asking me to come back onboard on Monday until at least the end of June. This thing could see me right up to my holiday at the end of July at this rate.

Boomed!! Well done

[zamzummim]

Unfortunately many contractors found themselves single after the last down turn; most of the wives/gfs couldn’t stand their partner being out of work, it was really sad, most of the guys could’ve done without the extra knock.

[dmini]

I'm a 2nd/3rd line support guy, the rates over the past few years have been barely better then perm so working 6 months of the year isn't an option, If I could command £400pd then obviously it would! You’d be surprised how many support people turned to contracting purely because the pay was little better than perm, probably more of a reflection on how badly paid perm work is rather than personal greed and of course the big players love having the expertise without the hassle of employing someone.

I do Windows 2nd / 3rd line. My last contract finished Feb, was back in working elsewhere 3 weeks later. However, last year I did LOTS of training. I also took what amounted to a 30% cut to my current contract, taking travel costs into account, as well as drop in rates. However, on the positive side, I have what amounts to an indefinite length contract - keeping my post even after they recruit a permie alongside, and it pays enough to pay the bills etc. Not the increase I would have hoped for, but the training & certs DID make a difference for the contract I got.
Hope your situation picks up - it is a real pig sitting at home contract hunting for extended periods. And for those who wonder about agency stories, the teaam next to me were recruiting for a permie DBA. Last count I heard, the manager had 51 CVs to go through. NHS rates as well. Yes, there may well be a lot of dross in there, but you still have to try and shine out from that number, and that can be hard

[gingerjedi]

I do Windows 2nd / 3rd line. My last contract finished Feb, was back in working elsewhere 3 weeks later. However, last year I did LOTS of training. I also took what amounted to a 30% cut to my current contract, taking travel costs into account, as well as drop in rates. However, on the positive side, I have what amounts to an indefinite length contract - keeping my post even after they recruit a permie alongside, and it pays enough to pay the bills etc. Not the increase I would have hoped for, but the training & certs DID make a difference for the contract I got.
Hope your situation picks up - it is a real pig sitting at home contract hunting for extended periods. And for those who wonder about agency stories, the teaam next to me were recruiting for a permie DBA. Last count I heard, the manager had 51 CVs to go through. NHS rates as well. Yes, there may well be a lot of dross in there, but you still have to try and shine out from that number, and that can be hard

It sounds like you've got a good gig but please don't be too complacent, my last gig wasn't paying the best rate but it was close to home (15 miles) so I thought I'd stick it out there until the market improved as there seemed to be plenty of work.

Out of the blue they gave me a weeks notice leaving one permy person to do all the work, I can only guess a bean counter somewhere worked out they'd be better off missing the odd SLA and getting penalised rather than keeping a contractor.

[SuperZ]

Unfortunately many contractors found themselves single after the last down turn; most of the wives/gfs couldn’t stand their partner being out of work, it was really sad, most of the guys could’ve done without the extra knock.

Dunno, sounds like it might of happened sooner or later. If a marriage or relationship can`t survive bench time it really isn`t built on the best of foundations.Should be happy not sad

[BrowneIssue]

Dunno, sounds like it might of happened sooner or later. If a marriage or relationship can`t survive bench time it really isn`t built on the best of foundations.Should be happy not sad

I was thinking much the same - it would be one of those marriages where she clears off as soon as he retires.