Reply to: Time on the bench

[BigRed]

Looking further afield doesn't always work. I've sent my CV off for dozens of London contracts and despite looking great on paper have never even got an interview.

[TheFaQQer]

Yes it is not the normal. I suppose bench time depends on the role of the contractor, a slice of good fortunate and economic demand for the work.

I also think bench time has a lot to do with a renewals. NickNick did you get long contracts or a spate of renewals in your 10 years? Are you an ace candidate at the interviews or something? As Northern Lad says a contract is only as good as the notice period. His advice sucks, but he is right, because my earlier 6 month was cut short to 3.5 months because of a client: lesson learnt.

Incidentally, my bench time was a 7 weeks or so. I just started at a new client last week, mid June 2013.

norm
fortune
renewals
interviews
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[rocktronAMP]

No bench time for me in just about 10 years now. Took me about 3 months from arriving back in the country to landing my first contract and I've not been without one since. I realise that this is not the norm though.

Yes it is not the normal. I suppose bench time depends on the role of the contractor, a slice of good fortunate and economic demand for the work.

I also think bench time has a lot to do with a renewals. NickNick did you get long contracts or a spate of renewals in your 10 years? Are you an ace candidate at the interviews or something? As Northern Lad says a contract is only as good as the notice period. His advice sucks, but he is right, because my earlier 6 month was cut short to 3.5 months because of a client: lesson learnt.

Incidentally, my bench time was a 7 weeks or so. I just started at a new client last week, mid June 2013.

[MyUserName]

What's this IR35 thing you mention? Is it like a yoga position to ease a bad back from all the sitting?

Kind of - depending on how flexible you are it might involve a lot of bending over.

[Platypus]

Wow - have you considered your IR35 position?!?!??!

What's this IR35 thing you mention? Is it like a yoga position to ease a bad back from all the sitting?

[MyUserName]

Touch wood, never.

If I told you why, the colour would drain from your face.

Oh, ok. This contract is entering its 10th year

Can't be long now until this gravy train smashes into the buffers.

Wow - have you considered your IR35 position?!?!??!

[Platypus]

Touch wood, never.

If I told you why, the colour would drain from your face.

Oh, ok. This contract is entering its 10th year

Can't be long now until this gravy train smashes into the buffers.

[NickNick]

No bench time for me in just about 10 years now. Took me about 3 months from arriving back in the country to landing my first contract and I've not been without one since. I realise that this is not the norm though.

[pFennig]

Impending Disaster: Out of a Contract for Nearly a Year.

I've been on the bench for almost a year, and it's starting to get more than a bit uncomfortable. It's not the cash, it's the gaping chasm on my CV.

At this point I'd strongly advise you to take any position at any rate just to reset the clock.

[camfish]

6 months in the winter of 2009, when there were no contracts in my area at all. Nothing. Not even fake ones.

That got a bit uncomfortable towards the end, I should have chilled out more as I wasn't worried about the money.

Lesson learned for next time - I'll spend more time in the garden if and when it happens again.

After 6 months I was chilling out and not worrying. Now I've been on the bench for almost a year, and it's starting to get more than a bit uncomfortable. It's not the cash, it's the gaping chasm on my CV.

[TheFaQQer]

Haha! No, toon town

Remake of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

[BolshieBastard]

The gents?

Best of luck with it!

Haha! No, toon town

[MyUserName]

Well, face to face interview secured for later this week in one of my favourite locations. Fingers crossed.

The gents?

Best of luck with it!

[BolshieBastard]

Well, face to face interview secured for later this week in one of my favourite locations. Fingers crossed.

[DieScum]

You dont do this already!?

When the market is carp like now, I sometimes apply for anything just to get my cv in front of someone.

I especially like sending my cv where the adverts says 'If you dont have the listed skills, please do not apply for this role.'

Oh, ok then

I once went for an interview where there was a long list of desired skills. I had about half of them. Went to the interview where humiliatingly they gave me an in depth test on skill I had claimed to have but had only really used a bit. TBH, if I knew it was mainly just that they needed I would have brushed up and been fine.

I came out feeling bruised, battered and somehow ashamed that I had been revealed as a chancer.

They offered me the job.