Life on the bench: in my dressing gown

[RichardCranium]

Are you looking for contract or permy - or both?

Contract. I doubt I could keep my gob shut long enough to hold down a permie job. Although, if the 'perfect' permie role came up, that'd be another matter. Not that such a role exists any more.

[MrMark]

Monday's are always depressing on the bench. For some reason agents never do anything on this day (maybe they're counting their wad?) so you don't even get chance to get excited by a fishing call.

[TiroFijo]

I doubt I could keep my gob shut long enough to hold down a permie job.

I know what you mean, I haven't been permy since 2001 and I do like the thought of working at some joint but not part of it which contracting gives. On the other hand I could go permy for the 'right' job.

On the rate side, what is the role that you all consider a cut off (relative to you location and distance you were willing to travel for the gig) i.e. thanks but no thanks?

[expat]

I know what you mean, I haven't been permy since 2001 and I do like the thought of working at some joint but not part of it which contracting gives. On the other hand I could go permy for the 'right' job.

On the rate side, what is the role that you all consider a cut off (relative to you location and distance you were willing to travel for the gig) i.e. thanks but no thanks?

PMFJI but for me it's Afghanistan & Iraq. Most other locations are OK by me.

[RichardCranium]

On the rate side, what is the role that you all consider a cut off (relative to you location and distance you were willing to travel for the gig) i.e. thanks but no thanks?

Eh?

[RichardCranium]

Monday's are always depressing on the bench. For some reason agents never do anything on this day (maybe they're counting their wad?) so you don't even get chance to get excited by a fishing call.

I've noticed that too; it was true las time I was benched and this time. I think they hold their teem meetings, motivation sessions, one-to-ones with management and their planning / strategy sessions on Monday mornings.

My solution now is to stop searching about 5pm on Friday and not look again until Monday morning. There's loads of ads placed Friday evening and over the weekend and it takes me until lunchtime to go through them all. I also usually do my weeding of my records on a Monday morning, e.g. throw away all the jobs where I've heard nothing back for 4 weeks. (4 weeks because no agent has even left me without communication for more than 4 weeks then come back to me, but they have left me for over three weeks and come back to me with good news.)

[TiroFijo]

Eh?

What is the lowest rate you are willing to work for?

[suityou01]

I've noticed that too; it was true las time I was benched and this time. I think they hold their teem meetings, motivation sessions, one-to-ones with management and their planning / strategy sessions on Monday mornings.

My solution now is to stop searching about 5pm on Friday and not look again until Monday morning. There's loads of ads placed Friday evening and over the weekend and it takes me until lunchtime to go through them all. I also usually do my weeding of my records on a Monday morning, e.g. throw away all the jobs where I've heard nothing back for 4 weeks. (4 weeks because no agent has even left me without communication for more than 4 weeks then come back to me, but they have left me for over three weeks and come back to me with good news.)

Well while the agencies are quiet it gives you time to contact local firms and go to breakfast clubs etc

[RichardCranium]

What is the lowest rate you are willing to work for?

That depends on where it is and what it is.

I'm also loathe to publish it on CUK as nobody else tends to.

But I will say I will take a role at about half of what I have been on which is about 3/4ths of the average advertised rate.

[RichardCranium]

Well while the agencies are quiet it gives you time to contact local firms and go to breakfast clubs etc

Felling already? You've only been at it a few days. You need weeks to build up those networks. Keep persevering.