Finding contracts in January

[meanttobeworking]

Yeh, I do all of the worrying but less of the squirrelling... To be fair I probably have 6-9 months stashed away, which feels like a lot until you actually start having to dip into it I'd imagine. I'll save more on the next contract (hopefully!).

I'm not too worried because a good mate of a good mate of mine who works at CEO level is getting an interesting new job that needs a very expensive but very hard working IT consultant...

[Support Monkey]

Yeah you're right, those are the only two possible explanations... :/

Just the obvious ones you could have a high maintenance wife and mistress to keep as well.

I am not having a go i know its never that simple to build up the warchest, but I suppose i was always sh**ting myself that the good times would end and i might never get another contract so kept squirreling cash away for just such occasions.

[meanttobeworking]

your either on a low paying contract or living above your means

Yeah you're right, those are the only two possible explanations... :/

[Support Monkey]

I was due to finish an 18-month contract this week, and got a further three month extension at the 11th hour. While this is great, it does mean I'll be finishing mid-December. Although I'll have been contracting close to three years by that point, I've only actually had to look for new contracts the 'traditional' way (jobserve, agents, etc) once as other work as been through recommendations, so I've not yet experienced the peaks and troughs of demand.

It doesn't take much brainpower to realise there'll absolutely nothing around from the middle of December until the new year, but in general, how long have people found it takes to pick up in the new year? I've got enough saved to cover me for a few months, but I'd appreciate any experience you might have had. Field of work is senior PM / BA specialising in digital/web.

3 years constant work and you only have a few months money, that would worry me? your either on a low paying contract or living above your means,

January is normally a waste of time unless its public sector as their normally trying to blow their budget before year end

[northernladuk]

But I do think "no work for 2013" has a nice ring to it. Part of it will depend on if a good mate of mine who works at CEO level gets an interesting new job that needs a very expensive but very hard working IT consultant.

You got some contacts lined up for him when he does call

[escapeUK]

Tell him I'll be in touch


Thanks to everyone else for the replies.

Its great having contracts like him. I'd be interested to hear how you get on in Jan, so come back and tell us how you get on.

[meanttobeworking]

Part of it will depend on if a good mate of mine who works at CEO level gets an interesting new job that needs a very expensive but very hard working IT consultant.

Tell him I'll be in touch


Thanks to everyone else for the replies.

[northernladuk]

All though it isn't the best I don't think it is impossible to get a gig. I personally wouldn't turn down an extension just on the basis Dec is a bit quiet. So I get a few weeks off before xmas, sounds like a bit of a bargain personally.

Anyway.. Have a play with this and look at the trends if it makes you feel better.

Statistics Contracts, Contractor Rates for Statistics Skills

[escapeUK]

Im in a similar position, the rewrite should be finished by December. Although I'll have been contracting close to five years by that point.

I've got enough saved to cover me for a few years. Well OK, 10 years actually. So it doesnt take much brainpower that I'll have absolutely no reason to want to work then! Though this said, the big chunk of money is there as my big detached house fund. So although I dont have to work, if Im to meet my goal I should do.

But I do think "no work for 2013" has a nice ring to it. Part of it will depend on if a good mate of mine who works at CEO level gets an interesting new job that needs a very expensive but very hard working IT consultant.

[cojak]

It will depend on on your role and a good chunk of luck.

Who knows really? That the fun of being a contractor, the unknown...

The good thing is that you can flip between the PM and BA work. As a BA I've been in contract more often than my PM mates ovef the last couple of years as there's always more of a need for those workers prepared to get their hands dirty

Every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to be a PM these days...

[meanttobeworking]

I was due to finish an 18-month contract this week, and got a further three month extension at the 11th hour. While this is great, it does mean I'll be finishing mid-December. Although I'll have been contracting close to three years by that point, I've only actually had to look for new contracts the 'traditional' way (jobserve, agents, etc) once as other work as been through recommendations, so I've not yet experienced the peaks and troughs of demand.

It doesn't take much brainpower to realise there'll absolutely nothing around from the middle of December until the new year, but in general, how long have people found it takes to pick up in the new year? I've got enough saved to cover me for a few months, but I'd appreciate any experience you might have had. Field of work is senior PM / BA specialising in digital/web.