Answer to the question "what have you been doing since your last contract"

[chef]

"enjoying the yacht"

Dim Prawn

[Contractoid]

Working for private clients. All this work is subject to strict NDAs, so I can't discuss the details or ever put it on my cv. Sorry, Mr Nosey Agent.

Works for me.

If you are Ltd company then you continued to be employed by your company as MD or whatever. In short none of their nosey business! This is a sign of an Agency or Agent that doesn’t understand the Contractor Market and the fact that even in buoyant markets we all have time on the bench. Who are they to draw conclusions about what you get up to when you are not on contract?
However, if its an Agency you have a relationship with and get consistent leads or contracts from I think Nomado’s suggestion is a good one – I use it most times as its usually fully or partially the truth,

[northernladuk]

However, if its an Agency you have a relationship with and get consistent leads or contracts from I think Nomado’s suggestion is a good one

Nomado?? Summat going on here we should all know about?

– I use it most times as its usually fully or partially the truth,

Pull the other one.. You have clients you cannot put on your CV due to a NDA? Truth? Whatever...

[Contractoid]

Nomado?? Summat going on here we should all know about?



Pull the other one.. You have clients you cannot put on your CV due to a NDA? Truth? Whatever...

Sorry Nomadd!!! I have to type quick otherwise I will be spotted by the Gestapo here.

OK, not an NDA but a request to keep it quiet!

[nomadd]

You have clients you cannot put on your CV due to a NDA? Truth? Whatever...

Well, remember in these circumstances it's an agent you are talking to. Bringing any "truth" into the conversation would only spoil the already beautiful working relationships we have with these thieves.

[CodeCobbler]

I suspect the REAL reason is that the parasite agent wants to find new contacts from your (hopefully recent) last employer.

Less concerning than down time is how patchy my work completion is. Surely that should be asked first.

[The Agents View]

Please do tell me, how you believe we gain new contracts from knowing who your previous employer was??

Is it magic??

[petergriffin]

are there any suggestions of acceptable answers I can give the agents who ask?

"Spent the last five months considering a career change and you've just given me the motivation."

[TheFaQQer]

Career break.... Family Time..... Personal Time.......Personal Project

This

Working for private clients. All this work is subject to strict NDAs, so I can't discuss the details or ever put it on my cv. Sorry, Mr Nosey Agent.

Works for me.

Or this

Taking time off (as this is usually the truth).

I contract to allow me to earn a lot of money in a short period of time, I work hard for the duration of the contract so I can then take some a break and spend time with my kids.

Or even this

Tends to be the last or the first of those choices.

[nomadd]

Or even this: I was trying my hand at being a recruitment agent.