End of Year contracts

[Hurricane]

Hi guys, great site.

I have been an FS Contractor now for 2.5 years working in the Change Management space in London. I have been fortunate enough to be 100% billable until now, but with the end of year approaching it looks like that is about to end.

What are your experiences of trying to secure work in December – is usually a bit like trying to ice-skate uphill? Do clients tend to organise themselves in the early stages of January? Or later??...

Although there does seem to be some demand for my skills set, clients seem to be deferring meetings/interviews until next year.

Thoughts welcome…

[SueEllen]

I got a contract in December a few years ago but it was in the first week of December and direct.

After that unfortunately everyone is busy arrange Xmas parties, and lots of permies take any time from 15th December as holiday.

I would just put yourself out and about, and don't expect anything until after the schools go back in January.

[JoJoGabor]

Its possible but chances are severely diminished. My advice would be to take some deserved time off, enjoy the festive season and start looking again the second week of January

[CheeseSlice]

I managed to secure two contracts this time last year, although neither wanted to start until the new year. I took the one that gave me a firm start date. I counted myself quite lucky to get work at this time of year though.

[quackhandle]

I got a gig with a parcel co in L'pool last year started 20th Dec which I thought odd but it was their busiest time and they needed DB cover.

Right place, right time I guess.

Was great for the Xmas shopping.

qh

[northernladuk]

This site will do a graph showing the seasonal change for your skillset. It is just scraped from the boards so isn't accurate, many roles are filled without hitting the boards and some on the boards are just agents fishing but might help give you an idea...

IT Jobs Watch, Tracking the IT Job Market

[nomadd]

Hi guys, great site.

I have been an FS Contractor now for 2.5 years working in the Change Management space in London. I have been fortunate enough to be 100% billable until now, but with the end of year approaching it looks like that is about to end.

What are your experiences of trying to secure work in December – is usually a bit like trying to ice-skate uphill? Do clients tend to organise themselves in the early stages of January? Or later??...

Although there does seem to be some demand for my skills set, clients seem to be deferring meetings/interviews until next year.

Thoughts welcome…

Usually dead this time of year, at least in my experience. Wasn't expecting to find a new gig until March myself. And then a six month'er came up out of nowhere. Start next week. Just goes to show that you never can tell.

Still, my phone has been very quiet this week, so the market doesn't exactly seem to be booming at the moment.

As ever, YMMV.

[psychocandy]

I find Jan picks up a bit. Like someone said, no-one can be arsed before xmas.

[SimonMac]

I have never really looked in December, first time I was out of work during the month I just kicked back and spend time with the kids etc, come January had two offers almost back to back so worked out nicely

[NickNick]

I find Jan picks up a bit. Like someone said, no-one can be arsed before xmas.

the problem I've found in January is that loads of people apply for roles then. New Year's resolutions and all that. Hasmade it a bit more difficul to get noticed, but not impossible.