How many of you are Benched?

[SandyD]

Er, I've been working in banking for the last 10 years. Proj Partners were the only agency to ask for a 'character witness' for the gap. I've worked for the largest US bank and others since then and not one has asked for such a thing as a character witness for a break so I dont agree with you.

When I worked (directly) for the US bank I was asked to justify the gap, but not asked for a character witness, I expect Proj Partners are going overboard with their due diligence, but am saying what's the problem with providing one? After all they do all kind of background checks and credit check, proof of address etc etc.. so one more reference from your personal friends is not OOT or an issue, right?

[kaiser78]

I'm not benched currently

[curtis]

so one more reference from your personal friends is not OOT or an issue, right?

Well it is when you don't need it. Its frustrating when clinets and especially agents don't understand how a contractor works and to have to explain a 3 month gap from years ago is just mad!!

[northernladuk]

When I worked (directly) for the US bank I was asked to justify the gap, but not asked for a character witness, I expect Proj Partners are going overboard with their due diligence, but am saying what's the problem with providing one? After all they do all kind of background checks and credit check, proof of address etc etc.. so one more reference from your personal friends is not OOT or an issue, right?

It's also not worth anything so could argue you are wasting everyones time putting it forward. Bear in mind if your friend gives a reference that the client finds is not accurate your friend can get in to a lot of trouble. I personally wouldn't ask my friends for a reference unless it I have absolutely no choice.

[rob s]

I spoke face to face yesterday with a slave trader who came recommended from several colleagues - he owns the company rather than your average recruiter, but his spiel was about putting just one person forward who matched the requirement as closely as possible. He mentioned that when they did that, they'll walk the client through the contractors history and if there are gaps, they need to be able to qualify them as well.

So I guess this is a grey area. If it's a junior researcher/drone asking at first contact then I'll not bother. If I'm confident there's a valid reason then I'll do it.

[BolshieBastard]

When I worked (directly) for the US bank I was asked to justify the gap, but not asked for a character witness, I expect Proj Partners are going overboard with their due diligence, but am saying what's the problem with providing one? After all they do all kind of background checks and credit check, proof of address etc etc.. so one more reference from your personal friends is not OOT or an issue, right?

The issue is I've never been asked for a 'character witness' to say I have not worked during a period and the reason why I did not work during that period. I dont go around telling people why Im not working, WTF should I?

Banks also ask for CRB checks so they can tell whether I've been 'inside' or not.

This was solely a demand from the agent to provide this intrusive reference.

Put it this way, you may want to roll over and have your tummy tickled. Im not.

[BlasterBates]

I think whether the gap thing is important is purely up to the client Project Manager, their experience with contractors and so on. I´ve never had the previous gap in my CV questioned at all, and would never expect it to become an issue. If you´re out for a year a so I can imagine that probably needs to be explained. My feeling is anything up to 3 or 4 months as a contractor would be perfectly normal and would not be a hindrance at all.

[MyUserName]

I would have thought that this would just vary from person to person. One person might look at a gap and ask the agent why it is there and be highly suspicious of it whereas another one might have been a contractor himself and not give it a second glance. The agent would, logically, try to get all of the answers to potential show stoppers before speaking to the client and risking losing the commision - I mean risk you not getting the gig.

[BolshieBastard]

I would have thought that this would just vary from person to person. One person might look at a gap and ask the agent why it is there and be highly suspicious of it whereas another one might have been a contractor himself and not give it a second glance. The agent would, logically, try to get all of the answers to potential show stoppers before speaking to the client and risking losing the commision - I mean risk you not getting the gig.

Why would anyone consider a gap 'highly suspicious' when you're a serial contractor? I know contractors who are paranoid about not working and run around like permies trying to stay in work every single day. They then think nothing of taking time off in contracts like permies.

I became a contractor so I could decide what I work on and when. I dont take holidays during contracts. I explain this to agents and clients alike and say I take my breaks \ holidays between contracts, not when Im delivering their projects.

TBF, I've never had a client question this in an interview. It has only been an agency who couldnt comprehend what a lifestyle choice was.

If it means losing the role so what? Isnt this akin to saying you'll take any rate including undercutting other contractors so you get the role?

[rob s]

Unexplained time off work if you're a Ltd Co:

1. Set up wordpress blog in your field of expertise (or add to company website)
2. Write a blog post once a week about your field of expertise or write a whitepaper
3. Book a couple of meetings with friendly consultants who also have their own business
4. Explain the time off as doing work internally in your company / research / SEO/ attending trade events or networking meetings, which can be validated by demonstrating that you've met with other consultancies, your accountant, a co-working space, show, receipts for shows which go into your books.....