Reply to: Are you gainfully employed?

[RSoles]

Been (voluntarily) on the bench since Jan.

Phone rang last week.
Couldn't resist.
Started today.
Wished I hadn't............................Nah, it's all money.........

[TheBigYinJames]

In theory nothing happens over July and August whilst people are on holidays, then September all the agents and managers come back and start thinking about the 6 months ahead.

From my experience typical bad times are:

December
Easter
July/Aug
Any time the World Cup is on (usually Julyish anyway)
Mondays and Fridays*

The upside is that you get a flood of contracts coming out just after these times that have been held up over the hiatus. If you have your CV in there quick yuo can bag a goodie.

*I have absolutely no idea why these days are bad in terms of phone calls.

[VectraMan]

why september? (been doing this less than a year...)

In theory nothing happens over July and August whilst people are on holidays, then September all the agents and managers come back and start thinking about the 6 months ahead.

Don't know how true that is these days, but there did seem quite a few good jobs for me last September/October that I couldn't chase as I was stuck mid-contract. By December everything had dried up again and I took an extension I didn't really want.

[TheBigYinJames]

why september? (been doing this less than a year...)

Sep would suit me too. This extension finished Jul 31, then have Aug off drinking Pimms in the garden/eating stuff I shouldnt, then back to the toil in Sep.

[lambrini_socialist]

I think mine's about to go tits-up mid contract.

I'm thinking I'll do 2 months of plan B/bench time then start looking in the alledged boom time of September.

why september? (been doing this less than a year...)

[VectraMan]

I think mine's about to go tits-up mid contract.

I'm thinking I'll do 2 months of plan B/bench time then start looking in the alledged boom time of September.

[Old Greg]

Getting dangerously close to the project go-live and letting users near the damn thing.

I try not to work on the kind of project that ever gets near go-live. Much better for the likes of me.

[lambrini_socialist]

contract runs out in a few weeks but just seen my name all over a project plan which extends well into next year. pretty sure i'm gonna bail at renewal time though...

[NickFitz]

On the bench by choice - may start looking around in a few weeks

[lambrini_socialist]

i'm not answering this poll as it is a pointer towards employment

[bracken]

Just handed in my notice!

Had 2 months to go on a 6 month gig but working for a complete git so gave the required 1 month's notice about 20 minutes ago - he took it well though as I lied and told him I had a few personal issues to attend to, nothing else lined up as yet so 'move up' it's the bench for me!

B

[rootsnall]

So you and I will be doing all the "who's working this weekend" threads.

UK based? Country going live on the mainland?

I've not been asked to work the weekend yet, I'm keeping my head down and not suggesting it to anyone .

It's a small Co 'Up Nth' so it won't be that manic until they start using it on Monday and then it may be a slow burner as it's a green field job not an upgrade so the users probably won't have a clue how to do anything. On the other hand they may be ringing my turned off mobile in a blind panic

[Solent]

7 days to go at current client, no extension. Permie developer got made redundant today. Was going to take some time off for summer but have interview next Tuesday which includes SC Clearance so be a fool to decline

[scooterscot]

So brace yourselves for a massive collapse of the contract market come September.

Why are you going to take up all the jobs?

[dang65]

I've got till the middle of September, but most the work is already done and the rest is documentation and hanging around for when the app goes Live in case there's some crisis or other. I really want to start looking for the next job, but this one is ultra-convenient for home and pays quite well and they're good people, so I'm taking the easy option and hanging around.

So brace yourselves for a massive collapse of the contract market come September.