A special anniversary: 12 months on the bench :)

[HeadOfTesting]

The last day on my most recent contract was Friday 19th Dec 08 so it has now been a whole year.

As I've explained in this post:

http://forums.contractoruk.com/1028938-post45.html

I'm not that bothered.

Can anyone match or beat my 1 year 'achievement'?

As I said on another thread I'm thinking of buying a cake with a candle on it to mark the occasion.

[rootsnall]

The last day on my most recent contract was Friday 19th Dec 08 so it has now been a whole year.

As I've explained in this post:

http://forums.contractoruk.com/1028938-post45.html

I'm not that bothered.

Can anyone match or beat my 1 year 'achievement'?

As I said on another thread I'm thinking of buying a cake with a candle on it to mark the occasion.

A former colleague of mine ( in my skillset ) just did 11 months before finally debenching. A couple of 3 or 4 monthers is my best stint on th bench but I'm not looking forward to Feb. As discussed banking and other govt sponsored stuff is OK, anything else is tulip, more tulip than 2003. I'm submitting house extension plans as we speak in preparation.

Can you not do bank testing ?

[Iron Condor]

Next week will be 3 years out of the industry for me

Plan B (Plan A now) is going well, and long may it continue.

[norrahe]

Can you not do bank testing ?

Have you seem most of the job specs for banking roles? , if you don't have banking experience already and very specific experience at that, don't bother.

[rootsnall]

Next week will be 3 years out of the industry for me

Plan B (Plan A now) is going well, and long may it continue.

Milan would like to know what your Plan B is ?

[lilelvis2000]

My last contract was over two years ago as well. I now consult - not contract - on work now. Its great. No commute and come and go as I like. Not making a whole heck of a lot at the mo', but things are in play to make a whole lot this year. - thanks to the mentoring I'm getting from NWDA.

[HeadOfTesting]

Have you seem most of the job specs for banking roles? , if you don't have banking experience already and very specific experience at that, don't bother.

WSS

[HeadOfTesting]

...thanks to the mentoring I'm getting from NWDA.

Forgive my ignorance but what's the NWDA?

[BolshieBastard]

Forgive my ignorance but what's the NWDA?

North West Development Agency.

That said, you should review your job search strategy at 3 monthly intervals imo. You must either widen the location you are prepared to work, reduce your rate, obtain recognised industry qualification ie ISEB etc or change specialism.

It is foolhardy to remain unemployed for 12 months since agencies will be even less likely to take you on imo.

I was once unemployed in IT for 12 months so eventually left. I came back after another 12 months when plan B failed! However the market had picked up and I had to go in at a rate I first had 7 or 8 years previously so it can be done.

[HeadOfTesting]

North West Development Agency.

That said, you should review your job search strategy at 3 monthly intervals imo. You must either widen the location you are prepared to work, reduce your rate, obtain recognised industry qualification ie ISEB etc or change specialism.

It is foolhardy to remain unemployed for 12 months since agencies will be even less likely to take you on imo.

I was once unemployed in IT for 12 months so eventually left. I came back after another 12 months when plan B failed! However the market had picked up and I had to go in at a rate I first had 7 or 8 years previously so it can be done.

I've done all those things. I don't expect anyone to read the post that I linked to above but it explains why I don't need to care anymore. Either way I'm still getting very positive engagement from headhunters etc., I really don't think long gaps are a problem in the current climate - the vast majority of people know the score and are sympathetic.