Stressed - waiting for SC

**nomadd** · 3 February 2011, 13:07

Originally posted by NorthWestPerm2Contr View Post

Was only benched for 10 days before I got offered contract but it has been a further 8 days now waiting for Basic Security Clearance. I keep chasing up agency to see whats happening and it's down to the clientco to give me authorisation to go on site. Really starting to pee me off as warchest running out and waiting out on these guys.

Not really sure what to do in this situation....

Keep waiting or start applying again?

If it was me, I'd be actively looking for another role. Mind you, if you've already signed a contract, you'll also have to speak to client/agent to expalin that you can't just keep waiting like this.

**northernladuk** · 3 February 2011, 13:09

You have shot yourself in the foot by doing nothing while you have been waiting. You can fail a BC you know. It is also possible for the client to re-evaluate his situation in the meantime as we have seen in the last few weeks alone with some posters even turning up on site on the day of their start to be canned before getting past reception due to budget changes.

You should also have more than enough in the warchest to be worried at only 10 days in surely? You have been contracting for awhile now and have been on here long enough to see posts from guys been benched for months.

**jmo21** · 3 February 2011, 13:27

WNS!

Really, the fact you have a small war chest is the bigger problem!

**NorthWestPerm2Contr** · 3 February 2011, 13:38

I am back applying now....

**RichardCranium** · 3 February 2011, 14:10

Good job you're waiting for the basic check, not actually SC or DV.

**perplexed** · 3 February 2011, 17:24

Agree, worst experience I had was I already held SC, delay in starting contract - end client bringing in two contractors, issues in that other guy wasn't cleared. Agency apologetic, found some additonal work for a few weeks whilst it was being sorted out. Other than the fact other work was found to bring in income, I'd have had my CV everywhere.

Ended up I was only contractor taken on, other guy failed the security check.

**nomadd** · 3 February 2011, 18:02

Originally posted by perplexed View Post

Ended up I was only contractor taken on, other guy failed the security check.

Thank god I work for Investment Banks - they aren't concerned about security at all.

(Well, apart from the "Let's see a copy of your passport", but that's another thread...

)

**northernladuk** · 3 February 2011, 18:27

Originally posted by nomadd View Post

Thank god I work for Investment Banks - they aren't concerned about security at all.

(Well, apart from the "Let's see a copy of your passport", but that's another thread...

)

But did they ask for two references? Hang on, thats another thread as well!!

**Wanderer** · 3 February 2011, 22:34

Originally posted by NorthWestPerm2Contr View Post

Was only benched for 10 days before I got offered contract but it has been a further 8 days now waiting for Basic Security Clearance. I keep chasing up agency to see whats happening and it's down to the clientco to give me authorisation to go on site. Really starting to pee me off as warchest running out and waiting out on these guys.

Your warchest is running out after 18 days?

I was reading northernladuk's sticky about security clearance and it's got a link to the website which gives their performance targets. Have a read of it and see if you can figure out which one you are going for and maybe that will give you a guideline of how long you will be waiting.

I would presume that as long as you don't have a complex background, poor credit or a criminal record then you should get approved in the timescales they mention but I guess no one except the DVA really knows for sure.

Stressed - waiting for SC