contracting = more stress?

[realityhack]

If it's with a well-known bank with the letters B, R and S, and you're anywhere near Global Markets or GTB - then you need to either a) develop thicker skin quickly, or b) cut your losses. If the letters include B, S, H and O - then that's life. They have a stinking attitude towards contractors in some divisions. Just don't burn your bridges on the way out, the banking market is very incestuous, it's a small world.

[Scrag Meister]

FTFY

WNWP2CS.

Its stressful if you allow it to be.

Chillax and keep invoicing.

[Fred Bloggs]

Sometimes you do have to move on if things are uncomfortable though. I left one job after six weeks (took four of those weeks to get the next job) due to openly hostile working conditions. I left another job seven months into it after the client co asked me to renew contract after six months but move into a different business unit. After I moved I found myself in a very uncomfortable situation, section manager made it clear he wanted a staff bloke there and attemped to treat me like one (very stupid really, but there you go) so I moved on. Rest of the time, jobs have been anything between OK to really very good.

[craig1]

I think the more experience you develop as a contractor, the more coping mechanisms you deal with. For example, I enforce a rigid clean desk policy in the office, that way if I get moved at short notice for a new permie then all I need to do is wheel the typical office storage drawers to my new desk. I've been bumped from my seat too many times over the years for it to even register any more as an annoyance.

Other coping mechanisms I have include never going near the banking industry (including all the multiple sub-sectors)! I'll happily pass up those opportunities and would rather be benched.

[northernladuk]

FTFY

Coming from a contractor with a lot of experience in banks? NOT.

I am sure there are raft of people in Cheshire who would completely disagree as the rates there are rubbish. From what I saw the rates and the client in question here are not amazing either.

Banks do not mean more money at all.

[northernladuk]

If it's with a well-known bank with the letters B, R and S, and you're anywhere near Global Markets or GTB - then you need to either a) develop thicker skin quickly, or b) cut your losses. If the letters include B, S, H and O - then that's life. They have a stinking attitude towards contractors in some divisions. Just don't burn your bridges on the way out, the banking market is very incestuous, it's a small world.

Agreed but if you can last as long as you can it is great to have your CV. You will get calls over time based purely on your banking experience so very useful. Not worth an early heart attack to be fair but experience not to be sniffed at.

[bluedrop]

Clarification: I am not with a bank now. its a major insurance company

[kaiser78]

I think the more experience you develop as a contractor, the more coping mechanisms you deal with. For example, I enforce a rigid clean desk policy in the office, that way if I get moved at short notice for a new permie then all I need to do is wheel the typical office storage drawers to my new desk. I've been bumped from my seat too many times over the years for it to even register any more as an annoyance.Other coping mechanisms I have include never going near the banking industry (including all the multiple sub-sectors)! I'll happily pass up those opportunities and would rather be benched.

What - that causes you stress ??

[realityhack]

Agreed but if you can last as long as you can it is great to have your CV. You will get calls over time based purely on your banking experience so very useful. Not worth an early heart attack to be fair but experience not to be sniffed at.

Absolutely. Last more than 12 months in an environment like front-office trading for one of the more hectic banks and your phone will be ringing off the hook for quite a while. It'll also stand you in good stead for any future carnage you may experience. Don't let it get to you.

[realityhack]

Clarification: I am not with a bank now. its a major insurance company

There are many similarities. Insurance seems (3rd-hand experience) to be even more old-school than corporate banking - which makes investment banking look bang up-to-date by comparison. There are more places for shit: managers to hide in those environments, you just need to learn how to manage them.