Reply to: Quiet periods during the year - January too?

[Gittins Gal]

I had an interview on the 31st December before and started in January. I find this time of year the best to look for contracts August -> October.

Hmmm...inneresting.

I have to concur with respect to the August thru October thing.

Seems very quiet at the moment though - dead, in fact - at least for web roles using the Microsoft stack.

I always wonder about all those Indians that come here to work - I've never been affected from the point of view of actually landing a gig but there are so many here now with more and more on their way (cheers Clegg) that surely there will be a tipping point where we do start to find landing a new role much harder.

[Gaz_M]

I do wish if there was a way I could just hide posts from some members of the forum though.

It's just another example of the crazy world of IT mate. Full of jokers behind a keyboard who find it hilarious to have a pop at people with genuine concerns.

Once you start your new contract you'll find a few scattered around the office but you soon learn to avoid them there too.

[PurpleGorilla]

January - clients don't hire because they are recovering from Christmas
February - clients don't hire because they take time off for skiing in half term and then a week either telling their colleagues about it or in hospital
March - clients don't hire because they are waiting for the new tax year
April - clients don't hire because they haven't got all the budget they wanted
May - clients don't hire because they are off for half term and then spend a week talking about it.
June - clients don't hire because they are planning summer holidays
July - clients don't hire because they are winding down for the summer holidays
August - clients don't hire because they are on holiday
September - clients don't hire because they are thinking back to their holidays
October - clients don't hire because they are on half-term holidays and then bragging about them
November - clients don't hire because they are planning Christmas parties and holidays
December - clients don't hire because they are partying and then on holiday

Pick your time for looking for a new contract carefully.

Brilliant 👍

[rashm2k]

I personally (and surprisingly) found July and August much more active than April and May. At least in London

I think London is a different ball game, you can always get something in London.

I just need to do what I do best and I should be fine.

[Catafracta]

I personally (and surprisingly) found July and August much more active than April and May. At least in London

[SueEllen]

^^^ I just remember reading that there are indeed some quiet periods during the year (I know august is one). Thought I'd ask.

I've got contracts in August.

When you are doing work for multi-nationals not every region in the world has holidays at all or even the same time as in the UK.

[TheFaQQer]

You wouldn't really want a contract specialist reviewing your accounts so why have an accountant review your contract? I know some accountants offer this service but get a specialist to do it.

Some accounting firms employ specialists who will do it - IIRC, I think InTouch do.

I've not used their service, though.

[quackhandle]

Choice is up to you but if you do a search on forums you will find peope who have used one or t'other.

Do you have Professional Indemnity/ Public Liability Insurance? IIRC, if you buy both from QDOS you get 3 free contract reviews.

qh

[rashm2k]

Which one should I choose? Qdos or bandc? And which products? Thinking just full IR35 contract review?

[northernladuk]

^^^ I just remember reading that there are indeed some quiet periods during the year (I know august is one). Thought I'd ask.

I've been sent the contract and will be getting it reviewed by my accountant. So will be starting Monday!

You wouldn't really want a contract specialist reviewing your accounts so why have an accountant review your contract? I know some accountants offer this service but get a specialist to do it.

[LondonManc]

Quieter in the summer months (school holiday period).

January can be OK as some clients give the agents the specs in December to get ready for new year - often budgets come on line in January and the savvy clients want to steal a march on the market and get the better candidates signed up sooner.

[quackhandle]

I've been sent the contract and will be getting it reviewed by my accountant. So will be starting Monday!

Well done.

You would be better off getting your contract reviewed by QDOS/B&C rather than your accountant.

qh

[rashm2k]

^^^ I just remember reading that there are indeed some quiet periods during the year (I know august is one). Thought I'd ask.

I've been sent the contract and will be getting it reviewed by my accountant. So will be starting Monday!

[quackhandle]

I do wish if there was a way I could just hide posts from some members of the forum though.

qh

[CheeseSlice]

In the last 4 years I've started 2 contracts in December and 1 in January, so I'm not convinced it makes much difference.
What seems to happen is my phone is fairly quiet during this time and I only get calls from those with relevant roles.
I've decided that the frequency of relevant roles for me is consistent all year round, but I just get more irrelevant role 'noise' at some points of the year.