A very concerned agent

[SueEllen]

That's a good point (by the way i wasn't inside...seriously).

If the agent did proper checks they would find out if you had been inside.

What I found is the more breaks you have the less they ask insistent questions about them.

They just ask you to check that you can talk if the client - who never asks btw - why you had a break.

[JoJoGabor]

I have gaps all over my career history with snowboard easons and travelling up to 1 year, never been that much of an issue. Just say get me to the interview,I will prove how good I am, assuming you are actually good. You don't get bad within three months hopefully.

[Wanderer]

He did eventually put me forward for the role once I explained to him the reason for the gap and answered some techie questions

Yeah, I've taken months off to travel around the world and spent time in exotic countries. Other times, I've just been working on something that I wouldn't put on my CV or simply taking a break. It beats me why they think it's such a problem.

I can only think that it's down to jealousy, perhaps even subconsciously as they are stuck in a 9-5 grind from which they see no escape.

[Scoi]

1 - an agent with no idea how contractors work so can't grasp a break between contracts is completely normal.

2 - an agent who will respond in a few weeks saying that ClientCo wants you but due to your break they think you'll take time to get up to speed so the rate is reduced. What they really mean is the agent thinks you're desperate for a gig and will take a lower rate so his margin can be increased.

[AnonAgent]

Seriously guys? Agents have to start somewhere, even the good ones. He probably was fresh, but thats not reason to berate him. I actually had one of my team discuss this issue yesterday. There are many reasons why someone has a three month break, especially in this market. What many contractors forget though, every question we ask is a question that the end client might ask you, or might ask us and that many of the resourcers they talk to, are only allowed to put three people forward to the client.

Incidentally. I have had clients asks me why there was a break.

[cojak]

Seriously guys? Agents have to start somewhere, even the good ones. He probably was fresh, but thats not reason to berate him. I actually had one of my team discuss this issue yesterday. There are many reasons why someone has a three month break, especially in this market. What many contractors forget though, every question we ask is a question that the end client might ask you, or might ask us and that many of the resourcers they talk to, are only allowed to put three people forward to the client.

Incidentally. I have had clients asks me why there was a break.

No problem with agents asking,we will tell them about the lull in the market (I have a 6 month gap in my CV for 2010)/break to go skiing/etc. It's the 'very concerned' bit that raises the hackles.

Contracting is NOT the same as permiedom, and it would be helpful if your freshers were taught that. Some contractors do not expect or want to constantly be in contract.

That's just the way contracting is.

[cojak]

..and when the last agent mentioned that he was 'concerned' about this 6 month gap, even after my explaining it to him, my response was:

"Well I'll tell you what, if you're so concerned - don't put me forward. I'm not going to lie on my CV and I don't have to defend myself any further on this matter. But I'm sure the other agencies that posted this contract will be happier about this gap than you are."

I got the interview and the contract.

[doomage]

Seriously guys? Agents have to start somewhere, even the good ones. He probably was fresh, but thats not reason to berate him. I actually had one of my team discuss this issue yesterday. There are many reasons why someone has a three month break, especially in this market. What many contractors forget though, every question we ask is a question that the end client might ask you, or might ask us and that many of the resourcers they talk to, are only allowed to put three people forward to the client.

Incidentally. I have had clients asks me why there was a break.

And how did you handle it? If it becomes an issue, then you have failed both the client and the contractor. A decent salesperson would turn it into a positive.

[kingcook]

Contracting is NOT the same as permiedom, and it would be helpful if your freshers were taught that. Some contractors do not expect or want to constantly be in contract.

That's just the way contracting is.

^ This.

I'm about to take a 2 month break at end of contract. Why? Because I want to! I don't want to spend all my life working on contracts and look forward to these little breaks.

[aa2006]

^ This.

I'm about to take a 2 month break at end of contract. Why? Because I want to! I don't want to spend all my life working on contracts and look forward to these little breaks.

This is exactly why I left the permie world to become a contractor, I have saved up enough to cover my mortgage payments and other expenses for 2 years. It's been great taking all of this time off, i will be "nice and refreshed" when i take up my new role

.....

"Well I'll tell you what, if you're so concerned - don't put me forward. I'm not going to lie on my CV and I don't have to defend myself any further on this matter. But I'm sure the other agencies that posted this contract will be happier about this gap than you are."

I got the interview and the contract.

This is so true, I have been called on average 3-4 times a week about possible roles and the issue of a gap in my CV has never come up