"Long Distance" Contracting

**NotAllThere** · 8 June 2012, 16:34

It happens. Don't worry about it. Most of my contracts have been weekly commutes - including one flying out early Monday and back late Friday, which I don't recommend.

You just say that you're happy to work wherever the work is. That's all you can do really.

**northernladuk** · 8 June 2012, 16:37

This is a growing problem I am afraid, generally caused by the influx of new people to contracting seeing it as an easy life and big money after redundancy or just not happy with their wage (IMO of course). Many clients are finding people are quitting gigs because of travel or because they get a gig nearer home and bailing out early so where in the old days distance wasn't a problem, most contractors had experience of working away and seeing it through whatever.

As more people see it as acceptable to take a long distance gig and jump ship the more the distance will become a factor in the decision making process.

That coupled with the fact they want a less skilled role AND you have no contracting experience makes you a massive risk. If you were an experienced contractor and perfect for the role maybe you could try and appeal to them citing evidence where you have travelled before. I don't know there is anything you can do but keep applying.

**bobspud** · 8 June 2012, 16:39

Originally posted by ThomserveBAS View Post

During the telephone interview with the client (which went very well) - I was asked about travel and I told them I was willing to go wherever the work is - now I don't think I could have been any clearer on that point, but just wanted to find out what how best to handle this situation?

Thats because too many people sit in interviews and say. No thats fine I love traveling, then start whining as soon as they arrive in the first week. I hired one myself last year. The knob took the job then moaned about not having expenses included and having to come from warrington or near enough and stay in a London hotel all week... Well duuuuh I offered him a job on a london data centre migration...

In this situation theres nothing you can do about it. Unless you just want to lie and tell the agent/client that your parents/grandparents someone else lives not so far away and you will enjoy staying with them...

**yasockie** · 10 June 2012, 18:55

This is fairly common all over the world tbh, and quite frankly, sensible and natural.
Way back, in my permie days, in order to get a role, I used a friends's place as my 'local' address, which, among other things, landed me the gig in a big blue corporation.
One reason that they preffered local people was that they did not have to pay out a rather attractive relocation package.
Later on in the recruitment process I used my normal address, as that was handled by HR and got the relocation package anyway

**northernladuk** · 10 June 2012, 19:24

Originally posted by yasockie View Post

This is fairly common all over the world tbh, and quite frankly, sensible and natural.
Way back, in my permie days, in order to get a role, I used a friends's place as my 'local' address, which, among other things, landed me the gig in a big blue corporation.
One reason that they preffered local people was that they did not have to pay out a rather attractive relocation package.
Later on in the recruitment process I used my normal address, as that was handled by HR and got the relocation package anyway

Not sure about it being sensible and natural. It maybe in the future now contracting is being swallowed by hidden permies looking to make a fast buck but not yet......

**oliverson** · 11 June 2012, 09:47

There's nothing like setting your alarm for 04:00 on a Monday morning and driving 300 miles down to Brighton for a 10:00 start stopping off at McDonalds near Ashby-de-la-Zouch for breakfast and then a 30 min nap in the car at Cherwell Valley services on the M40. You feel like a zombie for that day but when you check-in to the hotel on the seafront and have a couple of pints while overlooking the sea it all seems worthwhile. Friday's are great too as you jump in the car at 17:00, don't get home until 23:00-midnight with only a KFC zinger tower to sustain you (and your Jamiroquai albums). Tiring but good times and full of adventure (and misadventure).

Frankly if people expect to contract on their own doorstep they aren't cut out for the job IMHO.

**northernladuk** · 11 June 2012, 09:52

Originally posted by oliverson View Post

Frankly if people expect to contract on their own doorstep they aren't cut out for the job IMHO.

But unfortunately that is where it is heading now.....

**BolshieBastard** · 11 June 2012, 10:38

Originally posted by northernladuk View Post

But unfortunately that is where it is heading now.....

Indeed it does. Just had a call checking my availability, agent says (another) new contractor has mailed them this morning to say they dont like the 50 mile commute (by rail!) so are not continuing with the contract. What. The. F...!

My first contract was 160 mile away and I stayed in a tiny B&B for the first week. Moved to a better place afterwards but, it seems some newbies arent cut out for it.

**ThomserveBAS** · 11 June 2012, 10:43

It is frustrating because I think I have made the decision to move in to contracting for the right reasons, money is one of them, but certainly isn't top of my list. For me, it is about having responsibility for my own business, being able to build on my knowledge and experience with different clients and being able to travel (yes - I see the travel as a positive not a negative).

The only place I have vowed not to go, certainly for my first contract, is London. This is a personal choice and nothing to do with travel (in fact London would be so much easier from the North West than pretty much anywhere in the South).

I guess all I can do is keep trying, and to put extra emphasis on the point that travel is not an issue for me. I am applying for contracts in and around the North West as well to keep my options open.

10 weeks to go until my notice period expires and I'm officially unemployed - must get on instead of posting here

Thanks for the advice folks - even if it is not what I want to hear.

"Long Distance" Contracting