Reply to: On the bench, timeline.

[OwlHoot]

Hi all,

What would you lot do if you were on the bench for months on end?

At what month would you start to panic?
When would the insecurities set in?
When would you consider cross training? month 3? Month 6? a year?
How long would you give it before you started looking for permie work?

I got quite a shock in march - On the bench for six weeks looking for a perl contract, in _this_ lively market! Luckily I'm now back in harness in a contract where they're converting a large perl app to .NET (C# and Spring.NET), and it's a heaven-sent opportunity to worm my way into the .NET side (as the perl code is pretty stable, but the .NET stuff being new is bristling with bugs).

[alreadypacked]

The end game for me is to chuck it all in and try something else. Would love to either join a startup or start a business from scratch (not in IT).

I had my own business and learnt that the only way to get rich was to steal money from other people, over charge, under pay, etc. If you were honest you just made a living. I sold-out when I realised there were easier way of making a living Contracting.

[ChimpMaster]

Almost been 3 years continuous contracting for me at the moment. Over that time I've been investing so that my cash flow can support the basic needs of the family. Hence I would not panic, but by nature I would worry a bit.

I'm also in a very niche field, and so I don't expect contracting to last very long for me.

The end game for me is to chuck it all in and try something else. Would love to either join a startup or start a business from scratch (not in IT).

[freakydancer]

Surely a rhobust savings policy would be better?

robust

[Sockpuppet]

i would panic after 2 days. I havent been on the bench more than a day though. Must be a scary prospect.

Im glad iv got a 2 year contract here at york (and a £1000 overdraft and £5000 on my credit card should i ever need them when on the bench)

Surely a rhobust savings policy would be better?

[Sockpuppet]

1.What would you lot do if you were on the bench for months on end?
2. At what month would you start to panic?
3. When would the insecurities set in?
4. When would you consider cross training? month 3? Month 6? a year?
5. How long would you give it before you started looking for permie work?

1. Drive lorries Not saying £15/hour is great but its not tulip. I bet some support desk workers don't get that.

2. Been on the bench 2 months now - not worried. I work in a very specialised sector of warehousing so its more a waiting game for when the roles come up.

3. Maybe during Jan - Mar when there is less driving work, but still some.

4. I am always cross training. In the last month done 2 training courses.

5. Don't dirty this board.

[rootsnall]

I was out for three years. I was OK for the first 6 months, then I put myself on a couple of courses (complete waste of a lot of money), panicked around 7-8 months, closed the company and signed on, then started doing local PC stuff, driving a taxi, temping etc. Had completely given up and was trying to get into a teacher training course when I got a call out of the blue, got interviewed on a Monday, and started the next Thursday. Curiously it was for a company that I had applied to 7 or 8 times over the previous 3 years, and never even got an interview.

That's good persistence ! How have things been since ? Was it a dead end skill or ?

[Maxamus]

i would panic after 2 days. I havent been on the bench more than a day though. Must be a scary prospect.

Im glad iv got a 2 year contract here at york (and a £1000 overdraft and £5000 on my credit card should i ever need them when on the bench)

All the best SallyAnne

[hattra]

I was out for three years. I was OK for the first 6 months, then I put myself on a couple of courses (complete waste of a lot of money), panicked around 7-8 months, closed the company and signed on, then started doing local PC stuff, driving a taxi, temping etc. Had completely given up and was trying to get into a teacher training course when I got a call out of the blue, got interviewed on a Monday, and started the next Thursday. Curiously it was for a company that I had applied to 7 or 8 times over the previous 3 years, and never even got an interview.

[ratewhore]

Depends on whether you want to be on the bench or not. In the 6 years I have been contracting I have had two breaks of 6 months (flexibility is why I love contracting). It's taken me no longer than 1 month to bag a new gig once I start looking to rejoin the market.

As for permie, I've been thinking lately about the possibility of joining a startup environment. Seems to me it's not that far removed from contracting in terms of ownership. But maybe it's just cos I'm getting older...

[Xenophon]

in four years one week is the most....

Ooh get you, gooner!

[thunderlizard]

I am on the bench and loving it! Been there 4 weeks. in another 4 weeks i'll probably get bored and look for more work.
Worked my goolies off non-stop for past several years, so enough cash in the bank to last for ages.

[scooterscot]

Several contracts in almost 5 years now without break, taken some hol's of course which I try and OK with the client...

[OrangeHopper]

....Really? Do you work in a niche area or something?....

Yes and no.

I had three clients who took me on when they needed someone with experience who would turn their hand to anything.

As a result I haven't specialised.

However, one of the boxes I work on is a rare.

That added with the fact I'm not a salesman and can't lie to save my mum, wife or kids.

Prior to the two year slump I had done 10 years without and any gaps.

[n5gooner]

in four years one week is the most....