Contract Opp - good rate and no interview needed

[Peter Loew]

BUT.. the location sucks, probably 1.5 hours ish door to door, public transport and driving in rush hour.

What would you do and how important is location to you vs. contract availability in the New Year?

P

[eek]

BUT.. the location sucks, probably 1.5 hours ish door to door, public transport and driving in rush hour.

What would you do and how important is location to you vs. contract availability in the New Year?

P

Well the lack of an interview is an issue unless you really know the end client.

As for contract availability only you and others with your skills can answer that question.

[northernladuk]

I haven't worked within an hour of a contract in 5 years. Currently doing around 1 hour 30 door to door on an ok day.

Ask them if they are willing to be flexible. Moving my day by 30-45 mins either side of the 9-5 can reduce my journey by 20 mins. If you can work from home a day or two can also be a great sweetner.

11 page thread on this type of topic here so will give you an idea of the times people commute...

http://forums.contractoruk.com/busin...periences.html

[BlasterBates]

Staying overnight once or twice a week can help, you can then do long days and get home a bit earlier on Friday or start late on Monday.

I find a daily commute of 1.5 hours gruelling.

[kaiser78]

As above - any working from home opportunity ?

My commute is 1.5hrs and so I negotiated 2 days at home per week as a result.

[Pondlife]

Well the lack of an interview is an issue unless you really know the end client.

As for contract availability only you and others with your skills can answer that question.

This.

Offering good money but don't care who they get

[BolshieBastard]

BUT.. the location sucks, probably 1.5 hours ish door to door, public transport and driving in rush hour.

What would you do and how important is location to you vs. contract availability in the New Year?

P

Erm, is this 1.5 hours total travel time including the use of driving and public transport or 1.5 hour using either?

If it's 1.5 hr by train what's the prob? I did this daily to Halifax for one role and drove 1.5 hr by car to another for over 3 years.

If you cant face the commute, stay overnight once or twice a week or insist on WFH at least 1 day a week. Client may resist WFH though if they are giving a good rate with no interview ie they think they have given sufficient concessions to get your interest.

I'd need to know what the role is, responsibilities, deliverables etc before I'd take a role with no interview but have done in the past because I've known and worked for the client before.

If the rate is good and your market place is quiet, what have you got to lose even if you have to commute 5 days a week?

[northernladuk]

IMO even if there is a possibility of WFH or flexible times make sure you nail the gig in the first month or two first. On time, don't use the flexibility or WFH if poss. Prove to them you are the man for the job and are totally dependable and trustworthy and after that they won't give a jot where you are or what you do, you have their full confidence and will never be questioned.

[psychocandy]

Must admit I hate a long drive. It just knackers me.

Public transprt for same time is ok if you could rely on them to turn up and be on time which you can't.

I find anything over an hour gets on my nerves in the end. But then again, if you can get even 1 day not doing this out of the 5 it makes a big difference IMHO.

Even 1 day WFH like a wednesday is cool.

I'd consider even a 1 night stay away if it had to be there mon-fri. At least one day with no travelling back and some tidy kip.

[Taita]

BUT.. the location sucks, probably 1.5 hours ish door to door, public transport and driving in rush hour.

What would you do and how important is location to you vs. contract availability in the New Year?

P

Unless you are your father's son, you must have faced this several times over your long contracting career. Given your earlier concerns about finding a gig quickly, why the hesitation now?