The Bench, and panic

[inferno]

Just wondering at what point do you begin to panic about no new contracts coming through, and whether at some point you take a lower rate just to get some work. There seems to be inconsistency in rates in my field, I'm holding out for something with a decent rate for my skill set however am beginning to be tempted by lower rates... I really don't want to but am feeling the anxiety. Been put forward for 4/5 roles a week ago but as of yet no feedback.

Guess what I'm asking is how long is a long time to be on the bench?

Yours,

Frustrated

[SimonMac]

I guess it all depends on your Warchest, I am gonna struggle for more than 6 - 8 weeks after the end of this one as I'm having to empty as much as I can from my reserves.

[stek]

The secret is.....

DON'T SPEND ALL THE MONEY...

Don't do what I did, that Virage is going back......

[krytonsheep]

what point do you begin to panic

When you start to run out of things to sell on ebay to pay the mortgage

[xchaotic]

I'm holding out for something with a decent rate for my skill set however am beginning to be tempted by lower rates...

How quickly can you be productive? one of the ideas of a contractor is that you try to be productive from day one. If you think that is the case in your case/area take the low paid role and keep on sending the CVs.

[Scrag Meister]

I've had a 3 month and a 2 month bench, but on both I knew I had the warchest to see me good for quite a few more, so never really had to panic.

Its the boredom that kills me when I'm benched, there's only so much cleaning, washing, gardening that you can do.

Don't be afraid to take a lower rate, it would put your mind at ease as I'm sure a slightly lower rate is perfectly livable.

I reckon I could take a 66% cut in rate and still live ok.

[kaiser78]

I've had a 3 month and a 2 month bench, but on both I knew I had the warchest to see me good for quite a few more, so never really had to panic.

Its the boredom that kills me when I'm benched, there's only so much cleaning, washing, gardening that you can do.

Don't be afraid to take a lower rate, it would put your mind at ease as I'm sure a slightly lower rate is perfectly livable.

I reckon I could take a 66% cut in rate and still live ok.

Agree - don't be too picky with rate if you are concerned about being benched for too long and/or funds running short.

[inferno]

Yup I could go on for a month or so longer, but the lack of productivity and boredom is not fun!

I could afford a lower rate, but worried that would harm my marketability for the next one when the agents ask "what was your last rate". Urgh!

[GillsMan]

Yup I could go on for a month or so longer, but the lack of productivity and boredom is not fun!

I could afford a lower rate, but worried that would harm my marketability for the next one when the agents ask "what was your last rate". Urgh!

I don't think I've ever answered that question even remotely honestly.

[eek]

Yup I could go on for a month or so longer, but the lack of productivity and boredom is not fun!

I could afford a lower rate, but worried that would harm my marketability for the next one when the agents ask "what was your last rate". Urgh!

So lie. How would the agent find out.