Would you do a crap contract short-term if needs be?

[DirtyDog]

Another crap rate gig is on the cards. Same poor rate but 35 miles from home this time.
Better than £71 per week JSA just before xmas I guess. Only likely to last up until then.

Only thing concerning me once again is how it will look on my CV. Whats worse?

1. Looking desperate that you've taken a crap contract?
2. Having a gap of 3/4 months on the bench on your CV?

I'm tending towards (2). Already getting agencies asking me - so your last contract was in August then?

Assuming you get the offer, take the gig.

If you are asked about why you had a break and then took a crap role, explain that you took a break after August to spend some much-needed time with the baby, but got itchy feet so took a quick role locally enough that meant you could still do family time but still bring in some money.

It's better to be doing something than having a bigger gap.

Good luck.

[SueEllen]

Another crap rate gig is on the cards. Same poor rate but 35 miles from home this time.
Better than £71 per week JSA just before xmas I guess. Only likely to last up until then.

Only thing concerning me once again is how it will look on my CV. Whats worse?

1. Looking desperate that you've taken a crap contract?
2. Having a gap of 3/4 months on the bench on your CV?

I'm tending towards (2). Already getting agencies asking me - so your last contract was in August then?

1. Only you and the client will know it's crap.

2. They don't have roles otherwise won't have an issue with the gap. If they have a role they only ask about the gap later on in the process if at all.

[psychocandy]

Hmmm. Trouble is you can't polish a turd. This role is, shall we say, a subset of what I've done in the past. Basically, 2nd line support suitable for someone with a few years experience (rather than 20+) and not something I normally do.

But then again:-

1. Its Xmas soon.
2. Its likely to be easy.
3. Might learn something new anyway.

[psychocandy]

Assuming you get the offer, take the gig.

If you are asked about why you had a break and then took a crap role, explain that you took a break after August to spend some much-needed time with the baby, but got itchy feet so took a quick role locally enough that meant you could still do family time but still bring in some money.

It's better to be doing something than having a bigger gap.

Good luck.

All of which is pretty much true. After gig in July/Aug which was major hassle on a personal level, I did have a week or two off and then we all had a holiday so didn't even look until October.

[DirtyDog]

Hmmm. Trouble is you can't polish a turd. This role is, shall we say, a subset of what I've done in the past. Basically, 2nd line support suitable for someone with a few years experience (rather than 20+) and not something I normally do.

But then again:-

1. Its Xmas soon.
2. Its likely to be easy.
3. Might learn something new anyway.

Don't put the details on the CV. Explain that you were in contract, and give vague information, but because of an NDA you can't go into much detail. Don't lie about what you did, but because of commercial confidentiality, as much as you'd like to, you can't give them much more information.

[psychocandy]

Another dilemna. Decent contract but semi-poor rate. 1/2 normal but 40 mins train from home. Only prob is its 3 months and one month notice.

After 2 months on bench do you take becsuse its better than nought or sit tight for proper one? Or take it and give weeks notice if needs be and tough it out? (Not cool)

[SuPaStA]

Another dilemna. Decent contract but semi-poor rate. 1/2 normal but 40 mins train from home. Only prob is its 3 months and one month notice.

After 2 months on bench do you take becsuse its better than nought or sit tight for proper one? Or take it and give weeks notice if needs be and tough it out? (Not cool)

This is not the greatest period to look for jobs, so I would take the 3 month contract.

[Bellona]

Another dilemna. Decent contract but semi-poor rate. 1/2 normal but 40 mins train from home. Only prob is its 3 months and one month notice.

After 2 months on bench do you take becsuse its better than nought or sit tight for proper one? Or take it and give weeks notice if needs be and tough it out? (Not cool)

I've been 3 months benched. If it was under an hour away and took me into Jan/Feb I would take it, in anticipation of picking up the work that comes up March/April for new FY.

Sub optimal rate better than no income

I wouldn't end it early, just wouldn't renew if offered

[psychocandy]

This is true of course. But be gutted if i lost out on decent one.

[psychocandy]

Bellona - usually jan is ok though.