Reply to: Have You Ever Taken A Contract Well Below Your Skillset/Level? Would You Do It Again?

[jamesd]

Yes

Hi,

Yes, its much easier to get into another contract, problem is with agencies though. They don't read past your last/current job.... Not the sharpest of tools...

[northernladuk]

Yes you did, apologies, I misunderstood.

Sokay. Thought I'd been a bit too vauge for a minute there.

[HarryCodLife]

Did I not say that?

Yes you did, apologies, I misunderstood.

[northernladuk]

When one is 'On the bench' as it were, the pressure can be on to get a contract due to a diminishing war chest etc.

Did I not say that?

[HarryCodLife]

What?

When one is 'On the bench' as it were, the pressure can be on to get a contract due to a diminishing war chest etc.

[northernladuk]

The pressure can also be on, when you are off.

What?

[HarryCodLife]

This. It only appears easier as the pressure is off. Like people thinking in their first gig contracting is easy not realising it took them 6 months to get it and the clock will be ticking to get number 2.

The pressure can also be on, when you are off.

[LondonManc]

I keep hearing this, and I also heard it all the time when I was a permie and I have to say it's a load of rubbish.

Trying to find a new gig when you're in a gig? Try informing your client that you won't be available for the next 3 afternoons whilst you attend interviews and see how long your current gig lasts.

Far better to be out of contract so you can dedicate all your time and effort to getting the next gig without worrying about annoying a current client because you keep disappearing all the time.

It is true in a perm case though. Generally you don't have a decent warchest as a perm so there's less pressure to take a bad job than if you were on the dole. You'll also be naturally aiming higher than what you've got than settling for what you've just had taken away from you if you've been made redundant. Two different mindsets.

I agree with your opinion on contracting though; it would only be by exception that I take a gig that I wouldn't be happy seeing out.

[northernladuk]

I keep hearing this, and I also heard it all the time when I was a permie and I have to say it's a load of rubbish.

Trying to find a new gig when you're in a gig? Try informing your client that you won't be available for the next 3 afternoons whilst you attend interviews and see how long your current gig lasts.

Far better to be out of contract so you can dedicate all your time and effort to getting the next gig without worrying about annoying a current client because you keep disappearing all the time.

This. It only appears easier as the pressure is off. Like people thinking in their first gig contracting is easy not realising it took them 6 months to get it and the clock will be ticking to get number 2.

[HarryCodLife]

I keep hearing this, and I also heard it all the time when I was a permie and I have to say it's a load of rubbish.

Trying to find a new gig when you're in a gig? Try informing your client that you won't be available for the next 3 afternoons whilst you attend interviews and see how long your current gig lasts.

Far better to be out of contract so you can dedicate all your time and effort to getting the next gig without worrying about annoying a current client because you keep disappearing all the time.

Good point.

[billybiro]

A 3 month-er at a lower rate wouldn't bother me, its always easier to find work when you're in a gig, take the role and keep looking!

I keep hearing this, and I also heard it all the time when I was a permie and I have to say it's a load of rubbish.

Trying to find a new gig when you're in a gig? Try informing your client that you won't be available for the next 3 afternoons whilst you attend interviews and see how long your current gig lasts.

Far better to be out of contract so you can dedicate all your time and effort to getting the next gig without worrying about annoying a current client because you keep disappearing all the time.

[LondonManc]

He has much to be modest about.

[jmo21]

I did notices that, but I'd say it applies to anyone who has a 3 month warchest, and had a large spell out.

It's my advice to the OP, if others "don't understand" my point, that's up to them.

And yes, with a gig in hand, certainly take it, and go from there.

So you'd advise someone like that who has a contract offer (but as far as we know, not a perm offer) to stop contracting?

No, but I can see why folks were questioning now.

[WordIsBond]

I did notices that, but I'd say it applies to anyone who has a 3 month warchest, and had a large spell out.

It's my advice to the OP, if others "don't understand" my point, that's up to them.

And yes, with a gig in hand, certainly take it, and go from there.

So you'd advise someone like that who has a contract offer (but as far as we know, not a perm offer) to stop contracting?

[jmo21]

The OP isn't starting out, he is a Contractor who has had a couple of dry spells for various reasons.

He had a war chest that is running low as a result.

As above, I'd take the gig, bank the money, look for a new gig in the meantime and leave the crap bits of the job off the CV.

I did notices that, but I'd say it applies to anyone who has a 3 month warchest, and had a large spell out.

It's my advice to the OP, if others "don't understand" my point, that's up to them.

And yes, with a gig in hand, certainly take it, and go from there.