Reply to: The Out-of-work Day...

[greenep]

If you've not been in this position before, and don't like the uncertainty, go into saving mode - cut spending on restaurants, etc. I'm sure you'd feel less nervous being able to stretch it an extra month.

Good advice, and precisely what I did do. Saving mode can be boring

[greenep]

Consider if you're getting panicky about being out of work after just 2 weeks you're possibly not cut out to be a contractor.

Not panicky, just dejected.

Anyway, good luck with interview

Thanks. Two offers in one day!

[HairyArsedBloke]

Well...

IMHO, you are far too motivated. Learn to let go between jobs. Go outside and smell some flowers. Etc.

Being old and suffering from less than perfect health - I think this is a good idea.

[lukemg]

If there is so much demand for builders and so little demand for contractors, how come I earn 3 times as much as them ?
Think it is a bit more complex than that.
After 10 years contracting I thought I had a tidy sum stashed, couldn't believe how quick it got burnt through when not getting topped up.
I can survive 18 months now and still feel vulnerable...

[117MilesToGo]

I never fail to be amazed at the amount of contractors who never plan for a rainy day!

[nfoote]

A builder can tell you "I can't start for two weeks, I've got to finish another job"

Thats because the demand for builders exceeds the supply of builders, for most branches of IT contracting (well mine at very least) this isn't the case.

If a builder says he can't start for 2 weeks or 2 months or 9 months then the client has to lump it or try find another builder, in which case the builder can just think "good luck to them" safe in the knowledge by the time he finishes his current job he'll have had more than enough new clients come looking for his skills.

If a IT contractor says he can't start for 2 weeks or 2 months then the agent picks one of the other 100 CVs he recieved in the last 8 minutes. By that nature of "immediate availability or nothing" we IT contractors need to be prepared for time with no income.

[curtis]

Being anxious to line up the next contract before the current one ends is not a sign you are "not cut out for contracting". It's a sign you want to run your business efficiently.

I think it goes without saying for most contractors that we are keen to get another one lined up before the current one ends, unless we choose to have a break but I think the issue some people were trying to make is that when you go contracting you have to accept there will be times when you will be out of work even long periods of time and you need to be prepared for this mentally and financially and to be stressing about it or being in financial difficulty after a week or 2 maybe its not for you.

[d000hg]

A real 1-man business can stack up future work. A builder can tell you "I can't start for two weeks, I've got to finish another job", The same goes for software freelancing which is closer to 'real' business than contracting is IMHO. IT contracting by its very nature is a bit of a grey area.

Being anxious to line up the next contract before the current one ends is not a sign you are "not cut out for contracting". It's a sign you want to run your business efficiently.

[SuperZ]

I can't imagine any businesses would be happy not to make any sales for 2 weeks. Maybe people should be less quick to jump on the clichéd "you must be a permie" bandwagon.

True, but most businesses also have an income during the holidays which our businesses do not(one man band). FOr most contractors, it's not a REAL business. If we take two weeks off during a contract we don't worry about that lack of sales? In fact taking a holiday during an assignment could deem us to be unlike a real business also.

Any 'one man' type business has certain higher risks (ie,possibility of no sales for an extended period). Has to be planned for. If can't manage that, a permie in contractors clothing

[d000hg]

I can't imagine any businesses would be happy not to make any sales for 2 weeks. Maybe people should be less quick to jump on the clichéd "you must be a permie" bandwagon.

Having said that, I'd be very nervous with only 3 months' money in the bank regardless if I were a permie or a contractor or running a company hiring 10 people. I'd consider 6 months' a requirement and the last few months have been working my arse off to get to this point, after finding myself in the position of being about 2 weeks from absolutely bottoming out last winter when some fixed-price work went wonky.
If you've not been in this position before, and don't like the uncertainty, go into saving mode - cut spending on restaurants, etc. I'm sure you'd feel less nervous being able to stretch it an extra month.

[SuperZ]

Funny you should say that... took a break from the screen to pick up my dusty guitar, came back and have an interview tomorrow!

Of course it's not in the bag, but at least I'm getting past the agent wall.

Consider if you're getting panicky about being out of work after just 2 weeks you're possibly not cut out to be a contractor.Having said that I know of a few long term contractors who fear being out of work for even a day and have been lucky enough to be constantly in a contract. They're permies in contractors clothing, can tell it in their attitude

Right now I would consider 2 months or even longer a nicer holiday, but I don't usually take holiday during a contract however.
Anyway, good luck with interview

[Wanderer]

How do you motivate yourself to keep going (exercise etc)?

Normally, SWMBO starts making a long list of all the jobs she wants me to do around the house and this motivates the hell out of me to get back to work.

[nomadd]

I am sure someone will say I am talking out of my arse...

Well...

IMHO, you are far too motivated. Learn to let go between jobs. Go outside and smell some flowers. Etc.

[greenep]

LOL same. Maybe thats the trick. Plan lots of home stuff and travel and you are bound to get a role and mess them all up

Funny you should say that... took a break from the screen to pick up my dusty guitar, came back and have an interview tomorrow!

Of course it's not in the bag, but at least I'm getting past the agent wall.

[northernladuk]

I was out of work the end of June I had loads planned and was quite looking forward to it, 4 days later I had a call and 2days later I was in a new job, great to get another job but at the same time a tiny bit gutted it was so soon!!

LOL same. Maybe thats the trick. Plan lots of home stuff and travel and you are bound to get a role and mess them all up