Struggling to find contract after mat leave

**pmeswani** · 6 January 2012, 14:54

Originally posted by NonnyMouse View Post

Hi - I'm just wondering if anyone else on here has struggled to find a contract after a year on mat leave - I'm assuming there's other females on here :-)

I've been contracting for 6 years in the testing field and perm for 6 years before that. Worked solidly the year before last to build up funds so i could have a year off with LO but now said funds have run out and I really need to get back to work soon.

Just wondered if anyone else has found it harder to get work after being off on mat leave? as i've been looking now for a few weeks and always explain why i've been off for the past year to agents - but although i've been put forward for a few places and even had one or two interviews - no luck in landing a role so far.
I've been told that having a baby might put employers off, so I'm wondering if it's that or just a January slump.

Welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems finding work. Compared to this time last year, it's not too bad in terms of finding work. All I can say is get your CV out there onto Job Boards, update your LinkedIn profile (I know it is a contraversial issue with some CUK folk, but it's up to you whether you want to use it or not). Speak to some of your previous clients / employers to see if they have anything for you. There has to be some family friendly clients out there.

Good luck.

**Mister Clark** · 6 January 2012, 14:57

Originally posted by NonnyMouse View Post

Hi - I'm just wondering if anyone else on here has struggled to find a contract after a year on mat leave - I'm assuming there's other females on here :-)

I've been contracting for 6 years in the testing field and perm for 6 years before that. Worked solidly the year before last to build up funds so i could have a year off with LO but now said funds have run out and I really need to get back to work soon.

Just wondered if anyone else has found it harder to get work after being off on mat leave? as i've been looking now for a few weeks and always explain why i've been off for the past year to agents - but although i've been put forward for a few places and even had one or two interviews - no luck in landing a role so far.
I've been told that having a baby might put employers off, so I'm wondering if it's that or just a January slump.

If you *genuinely* think that having a child has put people off I would flat lie about it.
Say you took a year off to start a plan b or to study.

That said I think the market is not great at the moment (I'm also in testing for my sins); I suspect its more market forces than the fact you have had a child.

**Spacecadet** · 6 January 2012, 15:00

Originally posted by Mister Clark View Post

If you *genuinely* think that having a child has put people off I would flat lie about it.
Say you took a year off to start a plan b or to study.

That said I think the market is not great at the moment (I'm also in testing for my sins); I suspect its more market forces than the fact you have had a child.

WHS - if they don't ask then don't tell
If they do ask then dodge giving them the proper answer

Linkedin is pretty good - i generally get a good response from agents on there when I update my status to available

**The Spartan** · 6 January 2012, 15:07

LinkedIn seemed to generate a lot of leads for me and I also tend to get emails from recruiters a fair bit that I am connected to on there.

All the best

**SimonMac** · 6 January 2012, 15:22

Originally posted by NonnyMouse View Post

Hi - I'm just wondering if anyone else on here has struggled to find a contract after a year on mat leave - I'm assuming there's other females on here :-)

I've been contracting for 6 years in the testing field and perm for 6 years before that. Worked solidly the year before last to build up funds so i could have a year off with LO but now said funds have run out and I really need to get back to work soon.

Just wondered if anyone else has found it harder to get work after being off on mat leave? as i've been looking now for a few weeks and always explain why i've been off for the past year to agents - but although i've been put forward for a few places and even had one or two interviews - no luck in landing a role so far.
I've been told that having a baby might put employers off, so I'm wondering if it's that or just a January slump.

Hello, not only do we have women on here, we have a few new parents too boot so we can offer a Mumsnet type service as well but that is probably best left in general if you are brave enough to venture within.

You mention you have only been looking for a few weeks, as that would cover Christmas and the New Year I would not get to down hearted, yes testers are ten a penny and only slightly higher in the food chain than code monkey (tongue firmly in cheek there) I think it's a bad time to be looking. I was in a similar situation last year and basically stopped all efforts over the Holiday period and the week or so after and had two offers by the end of January so keep the faith and let us know when you "boom"

**northernladuk** · 6 January 2012, 15:23

I would be pretty digusted if you having a baby is a reason you don't get a gig to be honest. I haven't heard of that being a reason before and heard some pretty un-PC reasons in the past.

I would guess more it being the fact you have had a year off and there are a whole host of people with exactly the same skills that are still fresh.

I would also take a guess having a new baby you are looking in a very narrow area to get home in time? This lack of flexibility will certainly hurt your chances as well.

Just got to keep pumping away. I have certainly found a slump in calls since the beginning of December which is always a quiet period anyway.

**d000hg** · 6 January 2012, 15:27

Originally posted by Spacecadet View Post

if they don't ask then don't tell

WHS

If they do ask then dodge giving them the proper answer

NO! Lying about having a child is hardly a good move. You ARE going to need a client who understands your need for flexibility (regardless of lack of control clauses in your shiny IR35 contract) and this is not the way to get them on side.

**Old Greg** · 6 January 2012, 15:32

You may not have problems with clients but agents may certainly cause you difficulties. They don't want any doubts in their tiny little minds that might mean the gig goes elsehere. And they'll be thinking: she's going to be taking time off hen the baby's ill, not willing to put the hours in etc.

So, absolutely do not tell the agent about this. You do need a reasonable sounding lie to cover that year. Plan B, a friend with a Ltd who you did some development (or whatever you do) work. It might be on a profit share basis so you've never invoiced - who knows?

Best of luck.

**SueEllen** · 6 January 2012, 15:37

Originally posted by NonnyMouse View Post

Just wondered if anyone else has found it harder to get work after being off on mat leave? as i've been looking now for a few weeks and always explain why i've been off for the past year to agents - but although i've been put forward for a few places and even had one or two interviews - no luck in landing a role so far.
I've been told that having a baby might put employers off, so I'm wondering if it's that or just a January slump.

You have no need to explain to anyone why there is a years gap in your CV unless they ask you first.

While you may be paranoid about companies not liking people with babies and children you need to remember that it's often the agent at fault.
Lots of them are not comfortable with selling contractors who have any time off for whatever legitimate reason there as the client once you get in front of them doesn't care as long as if you are asked you make it very clear your childcare is sorted out.

Struggling to find contract after mat leave