between contracts

[oliverson]

Don't move to London. London s*cks. Unless you have an absolutely desire to put money at the expense of everything else, avoid it.

[kaiser78]

OP: Don't listen to everybody on this thread. I assume you are just starting out as a contractor? I have recently been in a similar situation. Back in January I was out of work for 3 weeks and it can be a very stressful time when you are first starting out.

The approach is simple - start off high rates & local then gradually lower your rates. If still no success then look further afield again starting with high rates. Eventually you will find something or have to re-skill.

But three weeks is nothing, especially in January - even when first starting out you need to get to understand the market, when the peaks and troughs happen throughout the year. Appreciate this is not an exact science, but 6 months of being out is stressful, not 3 weeks into the new year.

[bluedrop]

2 days is nothing. If you are getting calls within 2 days of leaving your last role I would say everything is fine and you are on course IMO. When you have nothing then you can ask these questions so early.

Thank you.

[northernladuk]

How do you assume I have no skills outside Solvency-ii? Solvency2 hype started a yr or 2 ago. I had a job before that! lol... anyway...giveup!

I assume you have no skills out side Solvency because....

a) You didn't mention any
b) anyone with a hole in their arse would have already been applying for roles with those skills as well as Solvency. Get something on the table and then make a decision.

2 days is nothing. If you are getting calls within 2 days of leaving your last role I would say everything is fine and you are on course IMO. When you have nothing then you can ask these questions so early.

[bluedrop]

Or, looked at another way, you prefer being spoon-fed the answers without researching them yourself.

Not all questions are researchable. Its not like "where can I buy an umbrella in Richmond?"... ppl post on forums for opinions. I post to see what others would do if they were in my place. It helps me validate my thought process. It helps see perspectives that wouldnt come out from 'Google'.

[Clippy]

I prefer asking and listening to all that ppl have to say here, than being an idiot by not asking!

Or, looked at another way, you prefer being spoon-fed the answers without researching them yourself.

[bluedrop]

2. Should I be chilling and wait for a interview (hot skill?)
Not chilling. Working hard on your CV, the boards and the agents. You are a businses in your own right and it is up to you to go out there and get yourself work. You still sound like a permie.

oops, I got a good beating on this one! what I meant was, I floated my CV around, its being put forward for a few roles, I am waiting to hear feedback. Chilling in the meanwhile (while looking for any new roles that might come up)

I know, I still have that permie mindet. I've been a permie for 8yrs. As a contractor, I am less than a year old. I'm kicking myself over many permie things that I do (subconsciously)....but I am working on being a contractor...

3. Should I be actively applying outside solvency-ii?
Seriously? Do you have any skills outside Solvency-ii? Can you hit the ground running with these skills. Are you worth £xxx a day outside solvency-ii? How can you apply outside when you have no other marketable skills (assumed)?

How do you assume I have no skills outside Solvency-ii? Solvency2 hype started a yr or 2 ago. I had a job before that! lol... anyway...giveup!

As a contractor I don't think you should be asking these questions.

I prefer asking and listening to all that ppl have to say here, than being an idiot by not asking!

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

OP: Don't listen to everybody on this thread. I assume you are just starting out as a contractor? I have recently been in a similar situation. Back in January I was out of work for 3 weeks and it can be a very stressful time when you are first starting out.

The approach is simple - start off high rates & local then gradually lower your rates. If still no success then look further afield again starting with high rates. Eventually you will find something or have to re-skill.

[craig1]

With a proven niche skill on your CV like Solvency II, you should be flogging the guts out of it before it becomes too commoditised and the rates drop. Don't just rely on the agencies, go direct to the target niche clients, they may deal with you directly or pass you onto their PSL agents but then you come from a position of strength.

(For interest, I get my contact lists for consulting from Electric Marketing, not the cheapest but their data has proven to be the most accurate)

[northernladuk]

Dear all,
Wondering how long ppl usually have between contracts. I am in Edinburgh and I finished my contract a few days ago. I've been looking for new contracts since about a week now and things arent seeming very bright. I have Solvency-2 skills - its pretty hot in the market at the moment. I got 4-5 calls and the agents said they are putting my CV forward... its been 2 days, didnt hear back yet.

1. Should I consider moving to London
2. Should I be chilling and wait for a interview (hot skill?)
3. Should I be actively applying outside solvency-ii?

Advice, thoughts or guidance appreciated !

Are you sure you are not Psychocandy and are not really on holiday, just starting again???

1. Should I consider moving to London
How can we answer this? Are you prepared to? If not then you have answered your own question. The world of contracting does not however revolve around London.

2. Should I be chilling and wait for a interview (hot skill?)
Not chilling. Working hard on your CV, the boards and the agents. You are a businses in your own right and it is up to you to go out there and get yourself work. You still sound like a permie.

3. Should I be actively applying outside solvency-ii?
Seriously? Do you have any skills outside Solvency-ii? Can you hit the ground running with these skills. Are you worth £xxx a day outside solvency-ii? How can you apply outside when you have no other marketable skills (assumed)?

As a contractor I don't think you should be asking these questions.

[UsrBinPRL]

I would think that this is different for everyone. Personally, I sometimes start a new contract the day after the previous one ends, other times it's a couple of weeks and currently due to other more pressing commitments it's 4 been months.

As to moving to London, do you want to? Better rates maybe but a lot more expense and much more competition for roles.

If you have other marketable skills that you're happy doing why not apply for other appropriate roles? What's the worst that can happen?

Just my $0.02

UBP

[pmeswani]

Dear all,
Wondering how long ppl usually have between contracts. I am in Edinburgh and I finished my contract a few days ago. I've been looking for new contracts since about a week now and things arent seeming very bright. I have Solvency-2 skills - its pretty hot in the market at the moment. I got 4-5 calls and the agents said they are putting my CV forward... its been 2 days, didnt hear back yet.

1. Should I consider moving to London
2. Should I be chilling and wait for a interview (hot skill?)
3. Should I be actively applying outside solvency-ii?

Advice, thoughts or guidance appreciated !

1. How flexible are you in terms of moving anywhere around the country?
2. Do you believe that the next opportunity will fall in your lap without trying to find them?
3. Do you have the skills to apply for roles outside Solvency-ii?

Sorry, can't answer your questions. You have to ask yourself what are you prepared to do to find a job.

[bluedrop]

Dear all,
Wondering how long ppl usually have between contracts. I am in Edinburgh and I finished my contract a few days ago. I've been looking for new contracts since about a week now and things arent seeming very bright. I have Solvency-2 skills - its pretty hot in the market at the moment. I got 4-5 calls and the agents said they are putting my CV forward... its been 2 days, didnt hear back yet.

1. Should I consider moving to London
2. Should I be chilling and wait for a interview (hot skill?)
3. Should I be actively applying outside solvency-ii?

Advice, thoughts or guidance appreciated !