Looks like I will be going permie too!

[up4it]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm sure I will be back contracting again one day as I enjoy the variety of work.

Remember, when u are in those long contracts it pays healthwise to take some holidays once in a while. Keeps u fresh!

Bolshie: You're right, the North-West is pretty dire right now but then again it never was great!

[TykeMerc]

Well I don't know how u guys & lasses are finding things? But, after 11 years contracting and plenty of ups and downs it looks like I will be going permie pretty soon.

Let me know how u folks r going on?

That's fine, people who routinely use lolspk/txtspk/l337sp34k shouldn't be contractors as it makes the rest of us look like morons by association.

[portseven]

The north west is pretty tulip for roles, isnt it? Fortunately Im still with the same client without a rate cut (we even had a reduction in hours 2 years ago!) for nearly 3 years and have just been extended last month for another 6 months.

I dont take time off during contracts so for the last 2.5 years, have only had christmas and bank holidays off. But with a 160 mile a day commute Im feeling like I need a rest.

Sounds like a cushy number! They looking for any architects? I have been at the current gig for coming up to 3 years now, normally I wouldn't stick around that long but in the current environment, I am sticking it out. Though I think the writing's on the wall now, 6 month renewals are 3 months, and there is talk of training one of the perm's to take over my role.

[zara_backdog]

The north west is pretty tulip for roles, isnt it? Fortunately Im still with the same client without a rate cut (we even had a reduction in hours 2 years ago!) for nearly 3 years and have just been extended last month for another 6 months.

I dont take time off during contracts so for the last 2.5 years, have only had christmas and bank holidays off. But with a 160 mile a day commute Im feeling like I need a rest.

Take some time off or you will end up killing yourself - book a weeks holiday somewhere and relax.

[BolshieBastard]

Well I don't know how u guys & lasses are finding things? But, after 11 years contracting and plenty of ups and downs it looks like I will be going permie pretty soon. I have verbally accepted a job offer as a BA.

The market has been so quiet for me up here in North-West England even though I have spent most of my time working in the South in the past.

Most of my work has been in consultancy, design, development & testing.

But this role is as a BA with hands-on experience. So I can get some good BA experience and who knows maybe I will be contracting again in 2-3 years. :-)

I do have a pretty good war-chest but I don't want to start eroding it away.

Being on the bench hasn't been all bad as I have got myself in pretty good shape from weight-training, cycling & running!

The wife would prefer to have me around to fix things more too!

Let me know how u folks r going on?

The north west is pretty tulip for roles, isnt it? Fortunately Im still with the same client without a rate cut (we even had a reduction in hours 2 years ago!) for nearly 3 years and have just been extended last month for another 6 months.

I dont take time off during contracts so for the last 2.5 years, have only had christmas and bank holidays off. But with a 160 mile a day commute Im feeling like I need a rest.

[watford]

Just to Say well done it is tough out there at the moment !

[zara_backdog]

Well done!

Going permie is a good way of obtaining new skills for when things pick up and is better then sitting around. I think some of us who are is good long term contracts have to realise how hard it is at the moment.

pay the bills and learn new skills - who knows what newxt year may bring.

[up4it]

Durbs: Nice one. Plan B's are always useful even if it is emigrating!

I would work in London myself if it was a decent rate but not many are these days. Though, locals will always get first refusal anyway.

The new permie role for me is within walking distance of where I live. So that is a plus after commuting to the other end of the country for years.

My other half also worries too much about the insecurities of contracting, lack of regular income. Personally, I like the breaks between contracts (holidays) and good rates when I am in.

[BlackenedBiker]

Just taken the permie shilling myself.

After looking, there were simply no contract roles worth having unless i went to London (and i'd rather starve than do that). The ones i could see were all offering mickey-taking rates or obviously didn't exist. Once i started looking permie, the phone started ringing loads. More a move from technical to managerial for me which may be useful.

Ramping up Plan B's though and hoping to make up the shortfall that way and move towards the 'proper' business.

I really could have gone for another couple of months off but want a new motorbike and a few gadgets and couldn't justify the purchase to Mrs Durbs without being in employment.

[Durbs]

Just taken the permie shilling myself.

After looking, there were simply no contract roles worth having unless i went to London (and i'd rather starve than do that). The ones i could see were all offering mickey-taking rates or obviously didn't exist. Once i started looking permie, the phone started ringing loads. More a move from technical to managerial for me which may be useful.

Ramping up Plan B's though and hoping to make up the shortfall that way and move towards the 'proper' business.

I really could have gone for another couple of months off but want a new motorbike and a few gadgets and couldn't justify the purchase to Mrs Durbs without being in employment.

[up4it]

Well I don't know how u guys & lasses are finding things? But, after 11 years contracting and plenty of ups and downs it looks like I will be going permie pretty soon. I have verbally accepted a job offer as a BA.

The market has been so quiet for me up here in North-West England even though I have spent most of my time working in the South in the past.

Most of my work has been in consultancy, design, development & testing.

But this role is as a BA with hands-on experience. So I can get some good BA experience and who knows maybe I will be contracting again in 2-3 years. :-)

I do have a pretty good war-chest but I don't want to start eroding it away.

Being on the bench hasn't been all bad as I have got myself in pretty good shape from weight-training, cycling & running!

The wife would prefer to have me around to fix things more too!

Let me know how u folks r going on?