its been 2 years in my first gig. decent rate.. what's the problem then?

[ChimpMaster]

It's the classic "contractor trap". Paid too much to leave, but not enough to leave.
<snip>

But the longer you leave it before moving, the harder it becomes.

<snip>

Again, as an example, my cousin specialised in telecoms package. He made great money for a decade, but eventually, it declined as the technology company behind it withered and in the end, he was struggling to get a contract. His skill base had atrophied. He was the world's premier expert in a skill that nobody wanted.

What you should do depends on where you are in life and what your goals are. If you are 50, with a clear plan to retire at 55, then stick where you are. If you are 25 with 35 years more work in front of you then you need to consider the longer term.

<snip>

Wise words there. Not something we often get on CUK

I have found myself in this position and the phrases above align very closely with my personal experience. I am working in a dead-end contract in a dead technology that isn't used anywhere else now (well, almost).

Thing is, I had a pretty good idea that it would end up like this when I started contracting around 12 years ago. For me this meant I was going contracting for one reason only: to maximize my income. I was a SME in this product and I had to milk it while I could. Ever since day 1 of my contracting career, I have been preparing for my final contract and have worked with the end in mind. Unfortunately I never quite knew when the end would come, which means that I haven't enjoyed much of the past 12 years contracting, and have been relatively thrifty with my funds; shame, but it became that way.

I also didn't learn much new tech along the way, for whatever reason. And now, truthfully, I'm just exhausted.

Another few months and I will be out of this final contract and out of my specialist tech for good. But I am prepared now - financially at least - and will then take time to relax before planning my next onslaught on life.

[lukemg]

Been there, although not quite on 600...
Blaster is right, I am convinced magic interesting contract does not exist FOR ME, because I am pretty bored with IT and many aspects of the jobs I can get.
So - consider approaching client to offer additional services, say you have some bandwidth, happy to assist outside of normal area etc. I have done this a few times and it has never resulted in the end of a contract. Manager is likely to rate you, as no perm will ever have said this (unless they hate you already/all contractors in which case it will support their views !).
If they do get shot of you, they have to find someone to take your 3/4 of a job, good luck getting the perms to do that...
Once you have done that, if no work turns up (never had more than additional scraps), feel free to work a 'lean' number of hours, I did a 9-4 happily for 2 years.
Another tactic a mate did was to always book a decent holiday with every renewal when he wasn't loving the job, gave him focus that every 13 weeks he would be having a blowout so worked towards that rather than thinking about the contract, or chuck a 4-day week at it (which I am doing now).
Internet is packed with info to study in the meantime, work and other related, I have spent huge amounts of time researching investing which I am interested in (to my surprise !)

[Fred Bloggs]

Isn't that what CUK is for?

Natch, yes. But the OP clearly has too much time on his hands any way. Not that it is an uncommon problem.

[northernladyuk]

sit tight, the only new contract you will get will be one which is almost identical to the one you have now. After 3 weeks you will feel just as frustrated as you are now. I would wait for the market to improve.

WHS.

[vetran]

There is nothing to stop you expanding your skills saying 'I help you with that' will get you into all sort of trouble.

Make sure you CAN help them with that.

You can also pursue certification on the side to make you more attractive.

[northernladyuk]

Does getting your second gig involve writing at all? If so I'd stay there as long as you can IMHO.

How can the OP stay in his / her second gig?

[BrilloPad]

it's the old "not enough to fill my day" syndrome

Isn't that what CUK is for?

[Fred Bloggs]

FFS you earn more in a day than the majority in the UK earn in a week. Stop complaining and enjoy your life.

it's the old "not enough to fill my day" syndrome by the sounds of it. The OP needs to think about invoicing. GBP 3k a week is mega bucks these days.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

FFS you earn more in a day than the majority in the UK earn in a week. Stop complaining and enjoy your life.

[Lockhouse]

Does getting your second gig involve writing at all? If so I'd stay there as long as you can IMHO.

Quiet. Sorry, quite.

[northernladuk]

i feel I'm getting into a situation to find my 2nd gig difficult... Any suggestion from expereinced contractors..who have been in this situation... In general..any thoughts??

Does getting your second gig involve writing at all? If so I'd stay there as long as you can IMHO.

[tomtomagain]

It's the classic "contractor trap". Paid too much to leave, but not enough to leave.

Your client has no obligation to develop your skills. You are there to fill his skill shortage. His obligation is to his permie staff and if he has any sense to develop their skills so that he can replace his expensive temporary resources.

And that's without even considering the risk that the client would run by giving you the opportunity to develop as a professional as this could open him up to legal hassles in terms of employment rights and so on.

You are a contractor and you have to look after yourself. Your client is unlikely to look after you.

Of course there is nothing wrong with remaining in the same contract with the same skills for years if that's what suits you. I knew a guy who was a "contractor" for 18 years in the same company ... before eventually becoming a permie there. He was perfectly happy. It worked for him.

But the longer you leave it before moving, the harder it becomes.

For example if you stay 5 years in a Big-Oil company then try to apply for a role at the local start-up the hiring manager looking at your CV is going to think : "This guy is from a big corporate. He's not going to fit in here".

Likewise if you are focused on one narrow technology then again your options are narrowed and you are dependent on the popularity of that technology. And believe me, what seems like a hot-in-demand skill right now can turn to nothing within a couple of years. Again, as an example, my cousin specialised in telecoms package. He made great money for a decade, but eventually, it declined as the technology company behind it withered and in the end, he was struggling to get a contract. His skill base had atrophied. He was the world's premier expert in a skill that nobody wanted.

What you should do depends on where you are in life and what your goals are. If you are 50, with a clear plan to retire at 55, then stick where you are. If you are 25 with 35 years more work in front of you then you need to consider the longer term. Doesn't mean though that you should necessarily start looking on Monday for something new ... just means you should start figuring out how you are going to acquire more skills and experience that will make you irresistible to the next hiring manager who looks at your CV some time in the future.

[BlasterBates]

sit tight, the only new contract you will get will be one which is almost identical to the one you have now. After 3 weeks you will feel just as frustrated as you are now. I would wait for the market to improve.

[Rocking contractor]

Hi,

This is my firs gig. been with the client for 2 years..extend for another 6mnth ..paying decent 600pd..

In terrms of role, it doesn't appeal me any more.I am not learning any new skill on job. I think i am not adding any value to my CV. i'm thinking of moving out. but market seems quite ..and rates on offer are not good. some might say that I should just sit tight

i feel I'm getting into a situation to find my 2nd gig difficult... Any suggestion from expereinced contractors..who have been in this situation... In general..any thoughts??