Any one benched here for more than 3 months..??

**malvolio** · 15 September 2009, 10:54

Yep. 4 months in reality, although I've been off rather longer for a variety of reasons. Getting really bored now...

**Darren_Test** · 15 September 2009, 10:59

Originally posted by malvolio View Post

Yep. 4 months ..

Did u ever benched for this long in the past..???

**HeadOfTesting** · 15 September 2009, 11:00

It will be 9 months for me on Sept 19th

**Pogle** · 15 September 2009, 11:34

This time last year I was benched and it lasted 5 months - have been working fairy consistantly since Feb though - so don't be disheartened

**malvolio** · 15 September 2009, 11:59

Originally posted by Darren_Test View Post

Did u ever benched for this long in the past..???

Not in the sense you mean. I took a year out a while back then spent another two months getting work

**HeadOfTesting** · 15 September 2009, 12:06

I had 3 stints (totalling 15 months) on the bench during the post .com collapse but the longest of those was 8 months. I seem to recall averaging about 1 interview every 3 months and consoling myself that at least I would almost certainly never have to endure such terrible market conditions again. This time I've had 2 interviews (1 perm, 1 con) in 9 months and I only got the contract one cos it was at my last client - but I didn't get the role.

I've never seen it as bad as this. I'm polishing up my CV for a bit of a Q4 re-launch but in 2010 I'll be placing 100% focus on plan b.

**Flubster** · 15 September 2009, 12:20

Been benched now for 4 months. Since starting contracting four years ago, I've never been out of contract, i.e. all contracts have been back to back at various clients.

I've run out of things to do at home (DIY upto date) and there's only some many times I can walk the dogs in any given day.

I did get an offer 3 weeks ago but turned it down 'cos I had a bad feeling about it (or maybe I just coudn't be arsed...not sure now).

**Menelaus** · 15 September 2009, 12:22

Do you claim benefits when you're benched?

**HeadOfTesting** · 15 September 2009, 12:28

Originally posted by Menelaus View Post

Do you claim benefits when you're benched?

I personally haven't.

Too much saved for means-tested, and don't want the hasssle/disclosure associated with contributions-based.

Any one benched here for more than 3 months..??