Reply to: Bench period in CV..??

[expat]

I would agree with this- when Im recruiting a team, I have to ask why a candidate has not done anything in the past 6 months or whatever, how fresh are their skills, worked on the latest upgrade that came out 3 months ago etc.


PZZ

Give us a break! If I show 5 years experience on XXX, do you expect it all to be in the last 6 months?

And "have to ask why" smells strongly of expecting permies.

[Grinder]

Honestly I am still not convinced how bad market is...I know for fact that 99% contractors worked for me in the past are still in contract..! Some of them are useless guys, but still earning while I am on bench...!!

Its not all about merit.

Perhaps their area was not undergoing cuts, or perhaps they did a better job at selling themselves to the right people.

[dozer]

the new style of cv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqbesiQdUQA

[SillyMilly]

If you had signed a year contract last october before the crash you will not be on the bench until September . If your contract ended between December and now then there is a good chance that you are on the bench.

whs

Honestly I am still not convinced how bad market is...I know for fact that 99% contractors worked for me in the past are still in contract..! Some of them are useless guys, but still earning while I am on bench...!!

Don't think like that ...... you'll drive yourself mad. You're not the only one. There are loads of us on the bench. I've been on it for 3 months; I know several who've been out longer including one very experienced guy who's been out for a year and another for 8 months. It will pick up one day; I just wish I could work out when and how to survive until it does!!

[AlfredJPruffock]

Tell them youve been on a bender for five months and youre now really short of cash so youve had to resort to looking for some work.

[Darren_Test]

or just nothing on the market at the moment above £25 per hour away from home.

Honestly I am still not convinced how bad market is...I know for fact that 99% contractors worked for me in the past are still in contract..! Some of them are useless guys, but still earning while I am on bench...!!

[pzz76077]

Never, ever, ever leave a gap in your CV, IMHO. In 20 years of contracting, I've had one pain-in-the-ass go on, an on, and on, and on in an interview about a 2 month (!) break I took 5 years (!) previously. I've also had countless agencies try to use it as ammunition to slash the rate. It's been a lot easier from my perspective just to remove the gaps. No-one is ever going to know, as long as you are careful with who you use as references.

Just my 2 cents.

Nomadd

I would agree with this- when Im recruiting a team, I have to ask why a candidate has not done anything in the past 6 months or whatever, how fresh are their skills, worked on the latest upgrade that came out 3 months ago etc.


PZZ

[nomadd]

I am in the process of giving a major "face-lift" to my CV, but I am on bench for last 5 months. I am bit worried to show that in my CV.What are the options I have ..??

1. Should I adjust bench period to previous project..?
2. Remove month option from experience history i.e. 2006-2007 company X, not saying which month I worked ..
3. Keep the gap as it is..(as we are in recession now)

I am worried if I show 5 months bench the agents might think I am not good to be selected ..??

Never, ever, ever leave a gap in your CV, IMHO. In 20 years of contracting, I've had one pain-in-the-ass go on, an on, and on, and on in an interview about a 2 month (!) break I took 5 years (!) previously. I've also had countless agencies try to use it as ammunition to slash the rate. It's been a lot easier from my perspective just to remove the gaps. No-one is ever going to know, as long as you are careful with who you use as references.

Just my 2 cents.

Nomadd

[pzz76077]

Been through a few CV's the past couple of weeks and all the Indian guys we talked to via phone interview who couldn't answer any of the technical questions about technology they were highly experienced in had - to date on their CV.

My opinion on seeing -to date now is probably that you are a blagger trying to hide a gap for some reason, or just could not be bothered to sort your dates out on your CV and most likely have poor attention to detail.

To be honest I would expect most contractors to have the odd gap here or there, holidays in the sun, time for plan b, just having a rest, etc.

Best suggestions then:-

Dont be out of work
Put down what you like (problably no one will question it) but don't write 'to date' if Ardesco is interviewing you.

PZZ

[Ardesco]

You can always use the phrase 'Aug 2008 to Date' then you only have to name the 'date' if someone asks you. Often or not they wont.

Try doing some IT related work for a charity to fill your bench time and gaps in your CV. Many client co's like to see this kind of thing on your CV as it gives the impression that you are reliable and have moral substance (this may not be true in everyone's case. but how cares if it gets you an interview??).


PZZ

Been through a few CV's the past couple of weeks and all the Indian guys we talked to via phone interview who couldn't answer any of the technical questions about technology they were highly experienced in had - to date on their CV.

My opinion on seeing -to date now is probably that you are a blagger trying to hide a gap for some reason, or just could not be bothered to sort your dates out on your CV and most likely have poor attention to detail.

To be honest I would expect most contractors to have the odd gap here or there, holidays in the sun, time for plan b, just having a rest, etc.

[Brussels Slumdog]

No Unlucky

But long bench means either you are non-compromising (on rate) or Not as good as people already in contract..?? I think pimps will think that way.

Its about timing and not about not being as good as people already in contract.
The fact that you are on the bench means that your last contract ended
during the economic downturn.
If you had signed a year contract last october before the crash you will not be on the bench until September . If your contract ended between December and now then there is a good chance that you are on the bench.

[s2budd]

But long bench means either you are non-compromising (on rate) or Not as good as people already in contract..?? I think pimps will think that way.

or just nothing on the market at the moment above £25 per hour away from home.

[Darren_Test]

If you are operating as a limited company then you do not have a gap on your CV. I could expand, but of you don't understand that sentence there is little point.

Yes...But not all will put Ltd company names in CV..It might work in Linkedin.

[Darren_Test]

You can always use the phrase 'Aug 2008 to Date' then you only have to name the 'date' if someone asks you. Often or not they wont.

Try doing some IT related work for a charity to fill your bench time and gaps in your CV. Many client co's like to see this kind of thing on your CV as it gives the impression that you are reliable and have moral substance (this may not be true in everyone's case. but how cares if it gets you an interview??).


PZZ

Issue with "to Date" is that pimps will think you are still in a role so may not be available now, so will not even bother to call you.

Charity IT - like.?? where I can get some info around that..?

[Darren_Test]

Not in the current recession, that shouldn´t be a big stumbling block,if you have the right skill set. If things pick up you´ll be off the bench pretty quickly. Does look like things are beginning to improve. Still no harm in massaging the figures to look a bit less.

But long bench means either you are non-compromising (on rate) or Not as good as people already in contract..?? I think pimps will think that way.