I have been out of work for a year..

[Mordac]

Surely now that depends on your skillset and the current level of demand for it.

If there's no demand for your skillset then you should be doing something else.

Mordy in "stating the bleedin obvious" Mode

[wackadu]

I didn't know you get payed to post on here all day, as that seems to be your number one skill.

[Xenophon]

I didn't know you get payed to post on here all day, as that seems to be your number one skill.

Hey - that is my number one skill!

[oraclesmith]

And mine !

Mind you I'm not being paid at the moment either !

[Mordac]

I didn't know you get payed to post on here all day, as that seems to be your number one skill.

I don't get paid to post on here all day, but I do spend a lot of time in mind-numbingly boring conference calls, and posting on here keeps me awake. Just.

[ChimpMaster]

Anyone else been out of work for an extraordinarily long time?

[oraclesmith]

My last contract ended in January 06. Since then I've been working fairly hard on a direct consultancy approach and I've had some good opportunities but come up against bigger consultancies and potential clients who prefer them. It doesn't seem to be paying off, so I had some holiday and now I'm turning to the agency contract market for a while. My gap's not an issue moneywise but you should have some liquid assets stashed away before you jump. If you're flexible (eg. prepared to work away from home during the week) and prepared to do mundane work, you'll be OK.

Also, read the contract if you're going to start at a low rate for anything other than a short term contract. Agents have been known to write contracts which don't give the contractor any notice or which limit the rate they can ask for renewals.

[wackadu]

All those people complaining about tulipty 20/hour rates - perhaps they should read about those who can't find work like the people on this thread.

[vetran]

9 Months

Don't lose heart, redo your CV - get everyone you respect to check it, find small amounts of work anywhere!

I did a load of work for a mate (a new startup), supporting their customers, for almost free! When I wanted a reference to cover the quiet period it was a glowing one. I also got a few new skills and an opportunity to make new contacts. These lead to a few quid.

In the end I got a job through an old contact.

[ChimpMaster]

I know it's disheartening to be out of work for even a few weeks let alone a year or more.

To bring in a bit of cash, has anyone ever done other types of work during their time "on the bench"?