Struggling to find contract after mat leave

[d000hg]

I am of the firm belief, that a family unit, should have a stay at home parent to tend to the children and breadwinner. That is how you should raise a child. And before you ask, we have discussed this before and since I am no bloody good at anything else, I am the obvious stay at home choice.

FTFY. However, I don't disagree with you about having a full-time parent. Probably the first time we ever agreed...

[northernladuk]

FTFY. However, I don't disagree with you about having a full-time parent. Probably the first time we ever agreed...

and

since I am no bloody good at anything else

so that is twice in one post!

[theredore]

Jobs out there but there is a demand.

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.

You have not .anything wrong and having a baby should not put off employers. What is happening at the moment is that there are lots of IT people being laid off so although there are jobs out there, there are many people applying to the same job. Unfortunately some people are just better at selling themselves so even though there is someone else better for the job, they are good at convincing the hiring manager. You could read more interviewing books to improve your selling points. One last note, it all comes down to luck too and if the person who you may be working for likes you . Keep going and best of luck!

[SueEllen]

Since this quote was indirectly dug up, I wanted to state agreement to this.

As contractors, it is a flexible arrangement sometimes in our work hours, locations, assignments and work times, or sometimes all of the above.

If you cant be flexible, sometimes at a moments notice, then contracting isnt the right field for that person.

You know my permie employers required more flexibility than any of the contracts I have had.

Companies tend to know if they try pushing a contractor/temp to hard they may just walk.....

[wim121]

Companies tend to know if they try pushing a contractor/temp to hard they may just walk.....

I see your point. The good companies will try to hold on to skilled people, whether they are contractors or not.

Sadly, Ive worked in too many places that expect you to do the work of two people, since they are paying equivalent rates and treat you as a disposable commodity because you dont have the rights of a permie.

[simplicity]

But as contractors we are supposed to the flexible ones, this is why we demand high rates. If you want to be inflexible, and expect the client to accommodate you rather than you accommodate them then you should seriously think about going back to permie.

I dont know what you do specifically, but what if something you are working on fails at 4:20pm and it must be fixed asap. Does the business have to take that risk (or cost implication) that you walk out as little Timmy needs picking up?

Every client is different so parents shouldn't be put off. A few years back I started my first contract (1 year gig) and found out after 4 weeks that I was pregnant! I hid it for a couple months but then had to tell them as my morning sickness was so bad. Anyway they liked me so much that they asked me to come back after the baby for another year!!

After that contract I managed to get another one which allowed me to work from home one day a week and then after that I got a contract that allowed me 2 days from home with yet another client!!

This current role is the first where I have worked a 5 day week in about 3 years but if I need to go to an appointment with the kids or attend sports day or the nativity play I am sure as hell going to go!! After all if I am not there they dont pay me. I am never behind on my work and take it very seriously but sometime s**t happens and may kids have to come first.

Both of mine attended nursery from the age of 6 months and it was hard at the time but now I have worked my way up and can afford to treat them to nice holidays and a lovely home. I have instilled a positive work ethic in them and they are so proud of me. They often boast about their mummy and where she works. I make sure I try to do the school run at least once a week so that I get to know the faces of their friends etc and I never miss a parents evening. Its hard juggling but working part time on the check out at Tesco was not the reason I went to university and worked my socks off!!