When the self-confidence goes...

[MrMark]

You have to just keep plugging away

it's no different to a permie trying to find a job - the more jobs you apply for the more chances you have of getting one

it may be however you need to look down the permy route and get some experience - maybe even some paid training if you are lucky and then try and get back to contracting when things pick up.

maybe look at a 3-5 year plan ??

Permie route doesn't exist even in so-called "boom" years - they're really prejudiced against cvs with possible gaps and/or short stays. Only ended up contracting because I never even got interviews for permie roles. May be different if you're under 40 or in a certain niche.

[MrMark]

At the job centre, they encourage the unemployed to learn IT skills. I reckon in about 5 years time it'll dawn on them that the IT market has gone down the pan. Perhaps they'll then start skilling the unemployed up in things like wind turbine construction as green energy is the new saviour of the UK, just ask the Isle of Wight workers.

Well tbh the type of "IT skills" taught on this type of course are how to open text files, or format Excel cells etc. We're talking different levels here (I hope )

[shaunbhoy]

Been in this position before (6 months on the bench) but suspect if I can't get work soon, will never work in IT again. Last two contracts were extended, so I know I can still just about cut the mustard, but if I never get past the gatekeepers it all becomes academic.

So do I:
a) go bankrupt, and learn to sit in the park all day.
b) Go sky-diving off Beachy head without parachute
c) Drive a car into Glasgow airport
d) Learn to carry bags at the local posh hotel

You could always turn tricks down the Docks. Worked for sasguru.

[MrMark]

You could always turn tricks down the Docks. Worked for sasguru.

HOw far is 50 pence a day going to get me?

[shaunbhoy]

HOw far is 50 pence a day going to get me?

Good point. Have you ever considered making up your own bogus stats?

[AlfredJPruffock]

a) go bankrupt, and learn to sit in the park all day

Sitting on a park bench
eyeing passing Agents with bad intent.

Snot running down his nose
greasy fingers smearing shabby Invoices

Feeling like a dead duck
spitting out pieces of his broken CV

Feeling alone
the agencies are up the wall
salvation à la email response -
and just two references

Mr Mark my friend
don't you start away- uneasy
you poor old Contractor - you see, it's only Alf

[HairyArsedBloke]

a) go bankrupt, and learn to sit in the park all day

Sitting on a park bench
eyeing passing Agents with bad intent.

Snot running down his nose
greasy fingers smearing shabby Invoices

Feeling like a dead duck
spitting out pieces of his broken CV

Feeling alone
the agencies are up the wall
salvation à la email reply and
a couple of references

Mr Mark my friend
don't you start away- uneasy
you poor old Contractor - you see, it's only Alf

That sounds like me.

[Zippy]

Try not to let it get to you. I don't think 6 months is a long time to be out but if it worries you (or you are having pimp trouble), invent a bit of consultancy that you did with a colleague (helpful mate), a family crisis or an interesting hobby you wanted to persue for a while.

[AlfredJPruffock]

c) Drive a car


Asked a contractor - what he wanted to be
He said - now listen here - can't you see ?
I wanna be gigging like Milans invoicing machine
But you can do something in between

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
So I emailed him my CV


I told my Agent - my prospects were good
And he said listen Mate - it's understood
Working for peanuts is all very fine
But just for one reference - I can show you a better time

Baby you can drive my car
Yes I'm gonna be a star
So I'll emailed him a reference


I told that Agent - I can start right away
When he said listen Mate - Ive got something to say
I got no Clients - and it's breaking my heart
But you've found me a reference - and that's a start

[badgerpig]

I had 2 months on the bench after walking from a bad contract,

searched the usual jobsites 3 times a day, got to the constant page refresh stage,
just got to keep looking, its tedious but eventually you'll see something suitable, get in first

could you not say youve been travelling? loads of contractor mates I know are sitting it out in the canaries with a beer

sabatical?

child care?/ sick relative?

make up a company?, get a friend to give a fake ref, extend your leaving date by a couple of months? get a lower paid job and jazz it up?

sounds duplicitous but if it gets you off the bench and through the gatekeepers, your not telling lies about your skill set just bending the truth a bit

got an ebay account? say youve had 6 months off setting up an ecommerce company?