Reply to: 3 Months On The Bench

[FatLazyContractor]

what if you change your name to Bob get lots of fake computing certifications and pretend to have worked with every language or system ever invented in the last 40 years (never mind that your only 22), i heard it may have been done by a few people already

That will attract a fantastic day rate of £100 - £150

[BlasterBates]

Agree with the above. Easy to fret about not being in contract, but eventually a contract will turn up and then you'll wish you'd chilled out a bit more. Time to relax, get worried when you've been out for two years.

[I just need to test it]

I am taking the standard approach that I always do of;
- updated and tailored CV to specific roles being advertised (but not bending the truth)
- regular trawling of job sites - the usual ones and sending CVs through in response to ads
- ringing agents directly when a lead comes up and CV sent through
- contacting helpful agents I have been in touch with in the past
- checking the jobs section on LinkedIn, although most seem to be permie roles
- posting updates on LinkedIn and keeping in touch with contractor and permie colleagues

What else could I be doing that I may be missing out on ?

You've covered everything and more that I normally do.

An agent once said to me, sensing my apprehension about a new role circa 1988, "Fear is the mindkiller". At the time I didn't really get it, but now I do.

I have had several spells out of contract lasting many months (the longest being eleven). And I spent that same number of months being fearful. Every day was lost to poring over jobserve, fretting, moping, chasing agents. I felt guilty at my inability to provide for my family, I felt jealous of my contractor mates who seemed to effortlessly pick up roles ahead of me.

I can't help with your contract hunt, though I'd encourage you, in the event you're not, to compartmentalise it. Ensure you do something for yourself for at least two hours a day. Time out of contract is a blessing, despite your angst. Paint a room. Take an hour-long walk. Go to the gym. One surefire way of getting an agent to ring you is by going into a library (it invariably works for me).

Surprisingly I've heard from agents a number of times that November is one of their busiest months. I'd have thought the opposite, but hey.

Good luck. I've walked the path you're on and I get how morale-sapping it can be. Keep doing what you are doing while enjoying the time off work. Your next role will come eventually.

And I apologise if this seems awfully patronising. It's not intended to do so.

[mrdonuts]

what if you change your name to Bob get lots of fake computing certifications and pretend to have worked with every language or system ever invented in the last 40 years (never mind that your only 22), i heard it may have been done by a few people already

[d000hg]

Putting the buzzwords in is the thing you don't need a CV writer for anyway, only you know which technologies and methodologies you have used.

Having it properly written would surely affect what happens AFTER the filter matches your CV to the role.

[BolshieBastard]

Thought the general consensus was that professional cv writers were a pisstake?

If a cv has got lots of interest previously but isnt now, its likely because there are far fewer jobs about. That doesnt mean you shouldnt regularly review your cv.

My tip would be to look at the albeit brief job spec posted on sites like jobswerve etc and incorporate elements or 'buzz' words from these into the cv.

[SueEllen]

Whatever !!

If your cv is piss and you think it's great happy bench time

Good cv gets you past the agents buzz word bingo

You are presuming:
1. There are lots of contracts in his skill set around, and,
2. He's not had an agent or someone advise him on his CV before, and,
3. Everyone has lazy grammar and spelling like you.

Your advice is tulip miss

There is nothing wrong with his advice it just differs from yours.

If kaiser78 thinks there is an issue with his CV I would tell him to get DodgyAgent or similar to look at it. They are the ones who recruit contractors and know what they are looking for. They have also helped review other posters' CVs before.

Professional CV writers don't tend to be former STEM professionals who have recruited contractors or recruiters who have. So their advice is often wrong for this market.

Ps
Feel free to fix my spelling or gramma if makes you feel better

Fix it yourself. You are aware you can get browsers with spell check addons?

[tarbera]

3 Months On The Bench

This is probably the worst advice i have come across - Getting someone to add a few buzzwords is going to do not a jot of difference to your skillset.

I have seen CVs from professional CV writers and they are often littered with spelling problems

Whatever !!

If your cv is piss and you think it's great happy bench time

Good cv gets you past the agents buzz word bingo

Your advice is tulip miss


Ps
Feel free to fix my spelling or gramma if makes you feel better

[Jack Kada]

Get your CV professionally updated

This is probably the worst advice i have come across - Getting someone to add a few buzzwords is going to do not a jot of difference to your skillset.

I have seen CVs from professional CV writers and they are often littered with spelling problems

[Brussels Slumdog]

Everything that I have applied for recently seems to be on hold. The first 2 months never count for me as I always need a break after a contract anyway. The first month would have been August when everyone seems to be on holiday .
Maybe the companies are holding out to the new year when the next years budget is approved.

[norrahe]

Does your LinkedIn say you are available, also make a post every week on LinkedIn saying you are available (this always results in several calls for me)
Just view all agents that are in your contact list (and outside your contact list) as a lot of them will view you back

WHS

Also contact the agents via linkedIn they are more likely to respond than if you e-mail them.

Join special interest groups and The association of Project management is a good start and post articles there, don't post too much and carefully choose what you do post.

If you have a job title, add to it that you are immediately available and also make any updates to your profile visable to your contacts.

There seems to be plenty of PM gigs going in the UK on LinkedIn, I see lots from my UK contacts.

[Avalonia]

Two months on the bench for me , I loathed my last gig so much I turned down an extension . You've got to expect some time out anyway working all the hours God sends is a recipe for burnout. Work to live .

[Project Monkey]

Have you considered retiring?

[bracken]

In my (previous) experience, roles being advertised at a client you've previously worked at is the best way to pick up the next contract as they like to engage people they know and hopefully, trust!

Ideally the OP letting previous clients know about their availability means the role won't get advertised in the first place...

[quackhandle]

Have you tried going direct with any companies nearby tech parks and the like? Can be hit and miss and you have to get it in quick that you aren't a pimp.

Fingers crossed you get sorted. I was on the bench last year from Nov to mid Jan. Wasn't the best of Christmases watching the warchest get smaller each month.

qh