Reply to: Should I be honest..????

[thunderlizard]

I am a telecom tester & manager looking for gig for last 10 weeks now.

You should get in touch with Darren Test and swap a few stories of telcos, testing, and daytime TV!

[expat]

Yes that's true but the 8 year gap won't stop you getting those Cobol jobs

Wish it were true. I went for a COBOL contract last year because it was so close to home. Haven't done COBOL for 9 years, was told that I'd have no chance.

Might keep trying this, see if one does bite and I get it refreshed on my CV. It's one of the 3 points in my "stay employable" plan:
1. COBOListas are dying off faster than the jobs are, and there are no new entrants. COBOL will survive me.
2. Don't compete with Indians, get experience as an offshoring manager.
3. Speak fluent French. If you think the French are going to let Indians walk over their jobs, you don't know them.

(that's probably just about enough to identify me so I'll stop there...)

[gingerjedi]

Stop looking every Friday.

Start looking again on Monday.

"Oh, I only started looking this week."

Sorted

Not just me then!

I've been benched for 5 weeks, it’s hard to relax when you're haemorrhaging cash so it’s a huge relief knowing that nothing will change and you won’t miss anything over the weekend, kick back and have a break like everyone else.

[xoggoth]

10 weeks is hardly very long, not worth worrying about I woiuld have thought. Very surprised people think a month is a problem. Maybe need to ask dodgy

[BlasterBates]

If you've got an 8 year gap you'll be stuck going for Cobol jobs!

Yes that's true but the 8 year gap won't stop you getting those Cobol jobs

[Turion]

No gaps more than a month! For short ones (2-3 months max) do a comb over by extending previous contract dates. For longer put working for a mates Ltd co, or make similar BS up. Works a treat and puts everyones mind at rest.

[Moscow Mule]

Gaps in the CV is a permie thing it is of no relevance at all as a contractor. They don't care how many gaps you have in your CV, they look at whether you have the right skillset, and your rate. You can have an 8 year gap, and they won't care, as long as it is clear that you have the skills.

If you've got an 8 year gap you'll be stuck going for Cobol jobs!

[BlasterBates]

Gaps in the CV is a permie thing it is of no relevance at all as a contractor. They don't care how many gaps you have in your CV, they look at whether you have the right skillset, and your rate. You can have an 8 year gap, and they won't care, as long as it is clear that you have the skills.

[NickFitz]

Stop looking every Friday.

Start looking again on Monday.

"Oh, I only started looking this week."

Sorted

[BoredBloke]

Just make something up. Holiday and the like. I usually just show my end date as being 'to present'. If they ask I just say that I've just finished.

[NoddY]

It amazes me how conditioning into a corporate robot has become endemic across western society. Any deviation from this is seen as 'odd' and CV gaps are seen a suspicious.

[Lewis]

I am a telecom tester & manager looking for gig for last 10 weeks now. But in my CV I am not showing that gap.

Pimps normally ask me "how long I am looking..?". My answer for last 10 weeks is "for a week "..!! Should I say the truth to pimps that I am looking for last 10 weeks....???
Also Should I show in my CV that I am jobless for last 10 weeks..???
I am thinking pimps might interpret that as I am "not capable"..??

Another usual pimp question is "How is response so far..??" "Did u had any interviews lined up..?". Should I say “YES” to give impression that I am very HOT item in mkt..? Or "No" is good to confirm I am still available..??

Suggestions please……….

My contracts are usually 1-3 years in length. I always take at least 3 months off between them. I put on CV, "enjoying some time off". No client has ever said anything other than "lucky bu&&er" and I get the gig. Just say you fancied a break, it's a perk of contracting.

[TheFaQQer]

I am a telecom tester & manager looking for gig for last 10 weeks now. But in my CV I am not showing that gap.

Pimps normally ask me "how long I am looking..?". My answer for last 10 weeks is "for a week "..!! Should I say the truth to pimps that I am looking for last 10 weeks....???
Also Should I show in my CV that I am jobless for last 10 weeks..???
I am thinking pimps might interpret that as I am "not capable"..??

Another usual pimp question is "How is response so far..??" "Did u had any interviews lined up..?". Should I say “YES” to give impression that I am very HOT item in mkt..? Or "No" is good to confirm I am still available..??

Suggestions please……….

"How long have you been looking?" - not long. Been taking it easy, having a well-earned break from the last few contracts, brushing up on some new skills, spending time with the family, etc. etc. etc.

"Any interviews lined up?" - a couple that I'm waiting on a definite date and time for, and some others that look promising, but nothing firm at the moment.

[expat]

I am a telecom tester & manager looking for gig for last 10 weeks now. But in my CV I am not showing that gap.

Pimps normally ask me "how long I am looking..?". My answer for last 10 weeks is "for a week "..!! Should I say the truth to pimps that I am looking for last 10 weeks....???
Also Should I show in my CV that I am jobless for last 10 weeks..???
I am thinking pimps might interpret that as I am "not capable"..??

Another usual pimp question is "How is response so far..??" "Did u had any interviews lined up..?". Should I say “YES” to give impression that I am very HOT item in mkt..? Or "No" is good to confirm I am still available..??

Suggestions please……….

I didn't leave Permiedom in order to crawl around working out what someone I'm in hock to might want to hear. I tell the truth - any agent that doesn't want to hear that is quite welcome to feel that way. If he thinks that means that he and I would not get on, I can but agree.

All of my periods not spent working are clearly visible on my CV. If anybody asks why I was out of work for 15 months, I tell the truth: the money ran out and I had to come back to work!

[Moscow Mule]

Pimps normally ask me "how long I am looking..?". My answer for last 10 weeks is "for a week "..!! Should I say the truth to pimps that I am looking for last 10 weeks....???
Also Should I show in my CV that I am jobless for last 10 weeks..???
I am thinking pimps might interpret that as I am "not capable"..??

"I haven't really been looking for the last 10 weeks, just been enjoying some time off with the family/car/boat"

Another usual pimp question is "How is response so far..??" "Did u had any interviews lined up..?". Should I say “YES” to give impression that I am very HOT item in mkt..? Or "No" is good to confirm I am still available..??

No leads for pimps until they have delivered at least once.

My standard line is, "I've got a few irons in the fire"