Last role ended Feb09, trying to get back in, no luck so far!

**nomadd** · 4 June 2010, 18:00

Originally posted by theroyale View Post

I finished my last role in Feb 09 and took time off for travelling...

No problem with that - my cv has plenty of gaps in it. I'd say it's more about your specific skillset and industry experience. What exactly is it that you do?

**BolshieBastard** · 4 June 2010, 19:56

I know 3 or 4 people who have taken one year career breaks and got back into IT.

The problem is with agents. They just dont seem to be able to figure out a break doesnt mean you're crap. When the market is tight, they only seem to want to talk to people who are in employment rather than those currently employed or unemployed.

**SuperZ** · 4 June 2010, 19:57

Keep at it. Perm interviews means you have to deal with Human Remains so don't go there, especially as they'll likely find any reason not to employ you (you have a gap you say?). Possibly apply for lower paying contracts to start with, where they'll just want someone to come in, get job done, then bugger off....and likely not caring about gaps
I had a gap of a year some years ago (took some time out then found the market was dead for perms). I then landed a short crap paying contract where I was basically just asked "can you do job mate?" which then opened up the entire world of contracting to me.

Good luck.

**centurian** · 4 June 2010, 20:53

Originally posted by theroyale View Post

Both the interviews were for perm jobs

Then go and ask those on PermUk

Originally posted by theroyale View Post

I've been applying left right centre (SQL) for contracts too but I sense much less interest from agents - is this because they don't trust someone who's been off work for 15 months to come in and hit the ground running on a 3 month contract?

Okay, seriously, SQL skills have a longer shelf life than, say .Net, where something new comes out every single year. There's plenty of SQL2000/2005 installations out there. So it shouldn't make a difference, but agents are a funny bunch. The problem is that they can afford to be choosy at the moment, so anything that can give them the willies is going to put them off.

Keep plodding at it - something will come along.

**thunderlizard** · 5 June 2010, 00:59

You must be able to target a niche more specific than "SQL". Pick your favourite industry and dialect that you've worked with and put more effort into targeting those companies.

& always be proud of your gaps. They are one of the coolest things about this business.

**northernrampage** · 5 June 2010, 16:32

Originally posted by SuperZ View Post

Possibly apply for lower paying contracts to start with, where they'll just want someone to come in, get job done, then bugger off....and likely not caring about gaps
I had a gap of a year some years ago (took some time out then found the market was dead for perms). I then landed a short crap paying contract where I was basically just asked "can you do job mate?" which then opened up the entire world of contracting to me.

Good luck.

Agree with that. I had about 20 mths off. Some people hated the gap, not much you can do. I was having problems with interviews though as were never my strong point and had a tulip couple of years personally.

I got a contract through a mate that was dire but it just put something on my CV (I then had to get hypnotised to help with interview nerves but doesn't sound like interviewing is your issue). Have now got a good but short term contract, and was lucky as they sacked the first choice, then rung me back. I just kept trying once I finally got my interview skills sorted.

You'll get something eventually. And a good proportion of people don't care about gaps, I went for contracts and they didn't even read my CV, wasn't until I sat down that they noticed it.

**bassy** · 6 June 2010, 10:53

Originally posted by northernrampage View Post

(I then had to get hypnotised to help with interview nerves but doesn't sound like interviewing is your issue). .

Does that actually work? (asking as I usually get sick the night before an interview and even worse when taking exams)

**northernrampage** · 6 June 2010, 16:17

Originally posted by bassy View Post

Does that actually work? (asking as I usually get sick the night before an interview and even worse when taking exams)

Yes, with caveats. I went to a lecture on it for my psychology degree... some people can't be hypnotised... they are not sure why, which is why stage hypnotists test the audience out beforehand. You don't know until you try it.

It doesn't work overnight, you need to go along a few times at least and helps if you then do self-hypnosis at home... I also used it for social anxiety. I had to do a press demo recently and it helped me with that, things like that used to scare me senseless. For me, it's also become self-fulfilling, now that I can do certain things better like interviews I then start to not feel as nervous going forward.

Also, I've tried a few different people, one of the people I saw didn't help at all, he was a tosser, other person, mixed results. The woman I am seeing now is great, she really helps. I am getting her relatively cheap though as she does subsidised rates which she agreed to for me as I've been out of work for so long and clearing debts. I am seeing her for other things as she does therapy too... but she will just do hypnotherapy.

You in London? If you are PM me and will drop you an email if interested with details.

**dspsyssts** · 6 June 2010, 16:25

You have decided to rejoin the job seeking community at a really really tough time.

As others have said keep applying and look further afield than your specialised area of expertise.

Mine was AS400 operations which has died a death but have secured a contract giving out passwords for £30ph.

That you have been away a while I don't think will prevent you from getting another position...be creative! maybe you kept your hand in doing a bit of SQL while abroad?!...lol!

Keep going you will end up with something!

Last role ended Feb09, trying to get back in, no luck so far!