What can you do

[BrowneIssue]

Maybe everyone on the Bench should setup a forum for meeting up and spending qualityt benched time together!

Err, they did. It's called ContractorUK

[MrMark]

Maybe everyone on the Bench should setup a forum for meeting up and spending qualityt benched time together! At least everyone has a common interest - IT. We could also post on the Accountancy board to really get the party rocking!!!

I've been benched since March, but as it's happened before I made sure I got some things sorted out (unfortunately I was unable to build up a big war chest as it's 6 years since I had 12 months work in one year). I've rented some space on a shared server and am building up some Plan B websites. Plus I've set up this forum for help and advice for people searching for work (not going to earn from this as too few members, but a useful store for info, links etc):
how to fight back
It's got some useful post and links in there on voluntary work, Power Verbs, writing cvs etc. Could do with some more input so all welcome to add your expertise.
My main Plan B hope at the moment is another website - it involves a lot of Perl and Rss stuff though, so I'm going through a steep learning curve at the moment. Even if the end product isn't the money spinner I hope it will be, I'll have improved my technical skills no end.
At the end of the day we just have to hope I suppose!

[thunderlizard]

Need some hope and encouragement from u lot.

Go Ibnul!
Go Ibnul!
Go Ibnul!

hth

tl
(seriously, you are looking in the worst possible place.)

[JoJoGabor]

Maybe everyone on the Bench should setup a forum for meeting up and spending qualityt benched time together! At least everyone has a common interest - IT. We could also post on the Accountancy board to really get the party rocking!!!

[TheRefactornator]

Hi Guys,
Feeling down and out of luck, no contract for 4 months, almost had 3 but nothing comes fruitfull, one stopped even after offered the position !!! some luck, I think the world is agianst me
Need some hope and encouragement from u lot.
Thanks

My mum always says something better will come along and it obviously wasn't the best job for you.

Other than that I can't help, I feel the same way, been benched for two months, watching the war chest deplete and feeling quite miserable, every job seems to turn to nothing

I can beat both of you easily - 7 months benched here, a completely depleted warchest and still plugging away on new applications. Come on chin up! We're not in a cardboard box yet..or a wooden one for that matter.

If all else fails, just hit the valium / cocaine / vice of choice

[lukemg]

Times are rough out there. Just recently spent nearly 5 months on the bench, must have sent 100+ CV's at jobs I expected I could do, contract and perm and moving down the pay scales too.
Got plenty of calls from agents but only 2 contract interviews, both of which I got in the space of 2 days.
Point is, it can turn around very quickly, I wasn't in despair but I was very bored, missed the routine etc It's ok to have lots of time if you like going fishing but if everyone else is working it is more of a struggle !
So, things to do:
1 - Sign up for some training, do something useful (that could pay money or mean you get up the list a bit). It makes you feel like you are at least trying to change the situation instead of feeling helpless.
2 - Do something interesting e.g. motorbike training, voluntary work, anything to pad the schedule, change of scenery.
3 - Get stuck into your contacts big time, if like me you are social enough but rubbish at keeping in touch when you leave, get on linkedin and start looking for people you have worked with.
4 - Take a holiday if possible, nice to do without losing rate, fills time. Chances of you missing the dream job while away are minimal, and the internet is available all over these days !
5 - Teaching....Although I believe this safe haven is clogged now too !

[dozer]

do some study and add some qualifications, or do your cbt and get a bike

[Jubber]

Sign on?
Go for an eight mile walk taking in the local 6th Form girls college hoping that they're out playing hockey?
Play the piano?
Wash the car?

Enjoy the weekend !!

[BrowneIssue]

Hi Guys,
Feeling down and out of luck, no contract for 4 months, almost had 3 but nothing comes fruitfull, one stopped even after offered the position !!! some luck, I think the world is agianst me
Need some hope and encouragement from u lot.
Thanks

It's Friday afternoon. The agents have stopped work and so should you.

Have a weekend away from the job searching. On Sunday have an early night and set the alarm for 7 a.m. Then start again.

Spend no more than 7 hours a day looking for a gig, and no time at weekends.

Take lunch breaks.

Keep posting on here.

[GCR99]

Hi Guys,
Feeling down and out of luck, no contract for 4 months, almost had 3 but nothing comes fruitfull, one stopped even after offered the position !!! some luck, I think the world is agianst me
Need some hope and encouragement from u lot.
Thanks

get a permie job. it's going to be ugly for another year at least

[GardenGirl]

My mum always says something better will come along and it obviously wasn't the best job for you.

Other than that I can't help, I feel the same way, been benched for two months, watching the war chest deplete and feeling quite miserable, every job seems to turn to nothing

[ibnul]

Hi Guys,
Feeling down and out of luck, no contract for 4 months, almost had 3 but nothing comes fruitfull, one stopped even after offered the position !!! some luck, I think the world is agianst me
Need some hope and encouragement from u lot.
Thanks