Contracting Market

[zamzummim]

I must admit, the jobs getting me down. It's a strange one. Im UK based, but I work for Corporate in the US. The hours are anti-social and to make an impact Im upto midnight, 1am regularly.

I've been surprisingly successful. Im just getting promoted to a more senior role, picking up a team of direct reports(9) and 16 indirect and I havent lamped anyone.

In fact, I've outlasted everyone who hired me or were bought in above me. But I did take some extra mentoring and was told to play the politics, kiss a little ass etc and boy does it work. Just had another child(last month) and I previously missed by first childs, 1st crawl, 1st walk and 1st word as I was abroad.

But I now feel dirty and want my life back.

Is the market really tulip or not?

I am a contractor, UK based, but HQ is in the US, other large centers in the far east, on days I am having to be around for Far east hours and US hours - so no difference from you. Also, I too have to kiss ass and go on various dinners to entertain the US and Far eastern big shots whenever they come and visit. I was supposed to do a lot of traveling, but lucky for me they have introduced cost cuttings, and therefore as a contractor they limited my travel!!

[expat]

Surely it depends what your skillset is?

Siebel configuration, Oracle, PL/SQL, SQL, unix scripting, C and old mainframe. Data migration, database & UI configuration, data quality analysis, Data modelling. Telecomms, Pharma, Banking. Not one single interview in 4 months. I think it's a little bad out there.

[Francko]

I must admit, the jobs getting me down. It's a strange one. Im UK based, but I work for Corporate in the US. The hours are anti-social and to make an impact Im upto midnight, 1am regularly.

I've been surprisingly successful. Im just getting promoted to a more senior role, picking up a team of direct reports(9) and 16 indirect and I havent lamped anyone.

In fact, I've outlasted everyone who hired me or were bought in above me. But I did take some extra mentoring and was told to play the politics, kiss a little ass etc and boy does it work. Just had another child(last month) and I previously missed by first childs, 1st crawl, 1st walk and 1st word as I was abroad.

But I now feel dirty and want my life back.

So in a few words you just sold your soul and now you think you can get it back? Forget it. The old MF, the real man, has gone. You now have become a corporate zombie and your life is as shallow as it can ever be... forget about life, family, joys, etc. your only assets for the future will be the carreer status and yearly bonus. You are doomed. There is no way back.

[Bagpuss]

Siebel configuration, Oracle, PL/SQL, SQL, unix scripting, C and old mainframe. Data migration, database & UI configuration, data quality analysis, Data modelling. Telecomms, Pharma, Banking. Not one single interview in 4 months. I think it's a little bad out there.

I found it's picked up a bit in my area, last year was much worse!

[ace00]

.........

I've been surprisingly successful. Im just getting promoted to a more senior role, picking up a team of direct reports(9) and 16 indirect and I havent lamped anyone.
........
Is the market really tulip or not?

I don't know your previous experience of course but you should consider how the current position will look on the CV when you do go back to contracting. So maybe aim to get 1 or 2 years management experience then move.