Seasonal recruitment activity

[JoJoGabor]

What's it like looking for contracts around Dec and Jan? Problematic?

[stek]

What's it like looking for contracts around Dec and Jan? Problematic?

Depends on how Santa's IT systems hold up - no Bobs tho, too cold for them...

Dec/Jan is usually bleak waiting for new budgets for new financial year after April....

[JoJoGabor]

Do you mean its bleak from December all the way through until April? Shucks. I've always got my contracts in the summer, now I am facing getting a 6-monther now or a rolling monthly for 2 - 3 months. Think I'll try and bag a 6 monther

[craig1]

My experience of the contracting year:

Dec to mid-Jan usually dead, that said, I got a contract this year in very early January.
Mid-Jan to end March is OK and is very market strength reliant
April to July is my peak period for getting new bits of work
August is quiet due to holiday season
Sept to November is OK and again market reliant.

[Clippy]

Which is the busiest month for IT recruitment?

[Fred Bloggs]

Apart from the obvious couple of weeks over Christmas (though I did land a new gig in the week between Christmas and new year one time), I don't really think there is a much of a difference any time of the year myself.

[lukemg]

As with many things, depends on skills, location BUT I find Dec+Jan are a right off workwise and I have been off then more than I would like ! current spell ends 2nd Dec - REALLY need another 3 months to put me in the zone or its a right off. I wouldn't bounce an extension just based on this but would factor it in.

[Clippy]

As with many things, depends on skills, location BUT I find Dec+Jan are a right off workwise and I have been off then more than I would like ! current spell ends 2nd Dec - REALLY need another 3 months to put me in the zone or its a right off. I wouldn't bounce an extension just based on this but would factor it in.

write

[SueEllen]

What's it like looking for contracts around Dec and Jan? Problematic?

How longs a piece of string?

Though generally if you get hired in December they want you to start work at the beginning of January.

[nomadd]

write

write-off, to be pedantic.

To the OP - it depends. Jan/Feb are normally dead, but sometimes you just get lucky. I've had it work in both directions over the years, sometimes being out for 3 months or more, sometimes landing a role inside a couple of weeks. Just have to test the market and see how it goes. Mind you, as others have said, if I was offered a renewal to take me over that period, I'd grab it.