Glad thats done, now for the waiting.

[gingerjedi]

WWikir ManS

Work load is down, dev is low, mainly support but the volumne of that is very small. Sounds great x£100 per day to surf, chat, read etc.... but I am sooooooooo boooorrrrreeeeeddddd!!! YAWN!!!

I had the same situation a few years back, I too was with a single client for 3 years and I too was on good money and had very little to do until the department was outsourced and I was given the boot.

You've got to be mighty confident of getting continual work in this climate to throw a cushy number away, from my experience the last couple of years have been an absolute bitch with contracts being cancelled, clients going bust, permy redundancies forcing contractors out the door first etc etc.

Just doing my books now, my income from 08-09 was down 40% from 07-08 and last year was much worse, down 60% from 07-08.

[Scrag Meister]

1. Its a change, and therefore some work to do.
2. 33% more £ than I am on now.
3. Possibility to learn Java later.

I am weighing the pros and cons carefully.

[SuperZ]

You've got to be mighty confident of getting continual work in this climate to throw a cushy number away, from my experience the last couple of years have been an absolute bitch with contracts being cancelled, clients going bust, permy redundancies forcing contractors out the door first etc etc.

Not just a confidence thing but a risk thing. I'm probably going to inform my client soon that I wish to leave when the current contract ends, even though it is a decent paying contract but still 25%+ down on my last rate. Only been with client co for over a year but I need a new challenge. The project is winding down and the work is becoming bitty and boring. I have other projects I'm working on anyway and am willing to lose this income and take the risk of not having a full time contract for a while, just so I can make myself available to other clients. I may decide just to keep quiet and quietly work on other stuff to keep me occupied but that would not be fair to client. I may discuss it with them and possibly allow them to use me part time if they still require my services once current contract ends, but I don't want to commit full time..
As a contractor I think it is wrong to just stay in a contract because it is easier to continue with client, that's permie thinking . Get out there and broaden the skills on new different projects.
Staying in a contract that has become boring and/or unchallenging just for the sake of an income can mean problems later on (skills not up to date for example)
If on the bench I know the thinking may be a little different but you're just unlucky. THings will improve

[norrahe]

Not just a confidence thing but a risk thing. I'm probably going to inform my client soon that I wish to leave when the current contract ends, even though it is a decent paying contract but still 25%+ down on my last rate. Only been with client co for over a year but I need a new challenge. The project is winding down and the work is becoming bitty and boring. I have other projects I'm working on anyway and am willing to lose this income and take the risk of not having a full time contract for a while, just so I can make myself available to other clients. I may decide just to keep quiet and quietly work on other stuff to keep me occupied but that would not be fair to client. I may discuss it with them and possibly allow them to use me part time if they still require my services once current contract ends, but I don't want to commit full time..
As a contractor I think it is wrong to just stay in a contract because it is easier to continue with client, that's permie thinking . Get out there and broaden the skills on new different projects.
If on the bench I know the thinking may be a little different but you're just unlucky. THings will improve

That's what I thought a few months ago, I was getting lots of calls about new work and people asking when and if I was available.
Jacked in the gig even though they offered a hefty renewal, and since then there has been nowt.

[The Wikir Man]

That's what I thought a few months ago, I was getting lots of calls about new work and people asking when and if I was available.
Jacked in the gig even though they offered a hefty renewal, and since then there has been nowt.

I fell for that last summer - hated the project, wanted a break, and was hitting the 24 month rule (albeit different clients).

Turned down a 4 month extension on £525 a day because I wouldn't have been able to claim the travel expenses, and earned £0 in the 6 1/2 months it took to find a new project.

Not the smartest business decision I have ever made, it must be said - but had a lovely time with the family!

[Scrag Meister]

Accepted a 15% cut in rate 18 months ago.

85% of something is better than 100% of nothing.

[larson]

Accepted a 15% cut in rate 18 months ago.

85% of something is better than 100% of nothing.

Not always.

I'd rather have 100% of nothing, than 85% of bad AIDS. Or even 100% of good AIDS*











*'Brass Eye' reference

[Scrag Meister]

After reschedule from being ill last week, had 2nd interview this morning, made up of 3 mini interviews of 45 mins each.

Wasn't even offered water, and I spoke plenty, dry come the end.

Have been told they were "overwhelmingly positive" and that they need me to do a couple more telephone intvws with some people in the US.

Longer process than I thought.

[TheBigYinJames]

Accepted a 15% cut in rate 18 months ago.
85% of something is better than 100% of nothing.

If you work it out, a 10% rate cut over a 3 or 6 month contract might only be the same as one week's lost wages.... if you think it'll take more than a week to find a new gig.. beware of making posturing mistakes.

[Scrag Meister]

And that is relevant to this thread how? No posturing here.