start date= 'asap', but is dec not a dead month?

[Damon]

Yep, I start a new contract tomorrow for 4 days work before Xmas break.

And it is for a bank.

[7specialgems]

I don't go along with this "dead month" tulip anymore.

ClientCo's Company Year Ends are all over the place and quite often their financial year is synchronised.

I joined by current gig in a December, as did every other contractor in my current team.

[Boney M]

You have to think a little bit rather than just cover the entire industry with a single statement.

Yes some clients won't be taking contractors. Banks and Royal Mail have very long and strict change freeze periods around this this period but other firms could be quiet. In other industries business doesn't stop just because it is December. They will be working as hard as ever. Why lose a weeks business just because it is the week before xmas?

Also if a project is planned to kick off in December it will kick off. Planners don't look at an aggressive plan and think 'hmm, December, won't do anything here, lets put it off to January'. If they need you to do work to keep a plan on track you will be in regardless of time of year.

Might be quieter yes, dead, no.

WHS.

Plus there will be cover postings too

[SueEllen]

And, then all these trainee recruiters who waste half your day to get themselves trained at your expense asking silly questions like:-
-where do you see your self in 5 years time
-what motivates you
- what r your personal goals
- while you were with this client, did you work for mr lova lova

how do I ward of such time wasters, or enjoy then as social calls?

1. If you can't talk tell them you are busy, say "bye" and put the phone down on them.

2. If you want to talk engage them in trivial stuff.

[Sid]

Have been on bench for a while now; november has been boring. All job postings say Start Date=ASAP. But is December not a dead month for new contracts?

And, then all these trainee recruiters who waste half your day to get themselves trained at your expense asking silly questions like:-
-where do you see your self in 5 years time
-what motivates you
- what r your personal goals
- while you were with this client, did you work for mr lova lova

how do I ward of such time wasters, or enjoy then as social calls?

[eek]

Nope

As a temporary resource they often want you to lay the foundation for stuff that will be ramped up in the first week of January.

Alternatively someone has screwed up and they have promised something for January 1st which won't get done.

FTFY based on my two previous December contracts....

[northernladuk]

You have to think a little bit rather than just cover the entire industry with a single statement.

Yes some clients won't be taking contractors. Banks and Royal Mail have very long and strict change freeze periods around this this period but other firms could be quiet. In other industries business doesn't stop just because it is December. They will be working as hard as ever. Why lose a weeks business just because it is the week before xmas?

Also if a project is planned to kick off in December it will kick off. Planners don't look at an aggressive plan and think 'hmm, December, won't do anything here, lets put it off to January'. If they need you to do work to keep a plan on track you will be in regardless of time of year.

Might be quieter yes, dead, no.

[SueEllen]

Nope

As a temporary resource they often want you to lay the foundation for stuff that will be ramped up in the first week of January.

Alternatively someone has screwed up and they have promised something for February which won't get done.

[BigRed]

But they want a body at a desk while the permies party and wind down for Christmas.

[Damon]

Difficult to tell. In the main yes actual starts reduce in Dec but it is not unheard of.

My CV went in for a role this morning who I am told want a pre-Xmas start.

[Dallas]

Have been on bench for a while now; november has been boring. All job postings say Start Date=ASAP. But is December not a dead month for new contracts?

No, depends where you are

[Sid]

Have been on bench for a while now; november has been boring. All job postings say Start Date=ASAP. But is December not a dead month for new contracts?