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Previously on "When the self-confidence goes..."

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  • AlfredJPruffock
    replied
    b) Go sky-diving off Beachy head without parachute

    I want to fly like an eagle
    To the sea
    Fly like an eagle
    Let my spirit carry me

    Time keeps on Slippin'

    Into the Future ...

    Leave a comment:


  • BrilloPad
    replied
    Originally posted by RichardCranium View Post
    What docks might those be? The ones where we export our manufactured goods or the ones where we build all those ships?
    The ones where they lose all the money.

    HTH

    Leave a comment:


  • mace
    replied
    Originally posted by RichardCranium View Post
    What docks might those be? The ones where we export our manufactured goods or the ones where we build all those ships?

    Sittin' in the mornin' sun
    I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
    Watching the jobs roll in
    And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah

    I'm sittin' here at the desk all day
    Watching them roll away
    Ooo, I'm just sittin' here at the desk all day
    Wastin' time

    I left my bed and pillow
    Headed for the study today
    'Cause I've had nothing to live for
    And look like nothin's gonna come my way

    So I'm just gonna sit here at the desk all day
    Watching those jobs roll away
    Ooo, I'm sittin' at the desk all day
    Wastin' time

    Look like nothing's gonna change
    Everything still remains the same
    I can't do what 10 pimps tell me to do
    So I guess I'll remain the same, yes

    Sittin' here resting my bones
    And this loneliness won't leave me alone
    It's two thousand words I've honed
    Just to make this desk my home

    Now, I'm just gonna sit at the desk all day
    Watching the jobs roll away
    Oooo-wee, sittin' at the desk all day
    Wastin' time

    Leave a comment:


  • BlasterBates
    replied
    I would say provide support for small companies.

    Why not join an open source project?

    ...and if no-one wants you, then hey, just setup your own open source project, with an ambitious aim.

    Leave a comment:


  • RichardCranium
    replied
    Originally posted by shaunbhoy View Post
    You could always turn tricks down the Docks.
    What docks might those be? The ones where we export our manufactured goods or the ones where we build all those ships?

    Leave a comment:


  • badgerpig
    replied
    I had 2 months on the bench after walking from a bad contract,

    searched the usual jobsites 3 times a day, got to the constant page refresh stage,
    just got to keep looking, its tedious but eventually you'll see something suitable, get in first

    could you not say youve been travelling? loads of contractor mates I know are sitting it out in the canaries with a beer

    sabatical?

    child care?/ sick relative?

    make up a company?, get a friend to give a fake ref, extend your leaving date by a couple of months? get a lower paid job and jazz it up?

    sounds duplicitous but if it gets you off the bench and through the gatekeepers, your not telling lies about your skill set just bending the truth a bit

    got an ebay account? say youve had 6 months off setting up an ecommerce company?
    Last edited by badgerpig; 30 July 2009, 13:53.

    Leave a comment:


  • AlfredJPruffock
    replied
    c) Drive a car


    Asked a contractor - what he wanted to be
    He said - now listen here - can't you see ?
    I wanna be gigging like Milans invoicing machine
    But you can do something in between

    Baby you can drive my car
    Yes I'm gonna be a star
    So I emailed him my CV


    I told my Agent - my prospects were good
    And he said listen Mate - it's understood
    Working for peanuts is all very fine
    But just for one reference - I can show you a better time

    Baby you can drive my car
    Yes I'm gonna be a star
    So I'll emailed him a reference


    I told that Agent - I can start right away
    When he said listen Mate - Ive got something to say
    I got no Clients - and it's breaking my heart
    But you've found me a reference - and that's a start
    Last edited by AlfredJPruffock; 30 July 2009, 13:35.

    Leave a comment:


  • Zippy
    replied
    Try not to let it get to you. I don't think 6 months is a long time to be out but if it worries you (or you are having pimp trouble), invent a bit of consultancy that you did with a colleague (helpful mate), a family crisis or an interesting hobby you wanted to persue for a while.

    Leave a comment:


  • HairyArsedBloke
    replied
    Originally posted by AlfredJPruffock View Post
    a) go bankrupt, and learn to sit in the park all day

    Sitting on a park bench
    eyeing passing Agents with bad intent.

    Snot running down his nose
    greasy fingers smearing shabby Invoices

    Feeling like a dead duck
    spitting out pieces of his broken CV

    Feeling alone
    the agencies are up the wall
    salvation à la email reply and
    a couple of references

    Mr Mark my friend
    don't you start away- uneasy
    you poor old Contractor - you see, it's only Alf
    That sounds like me.

    Leave a comment:


  • AlfredJPruffock
    replied
    a) go bankrupt, and learn to sit in the park all day

    Sitting on a park bench
    eyeing passing Agents with bad intent.

    Snot running down his nose
    greasy fingers smearing shabby Invoices

    Feeling like a dead duck
    spitting out pieces of his broken CV

    Feeling alone
    the agencies are up the wall
    salvation à la email response -
    and just two references

    Mr Mark my friend
    don't you start away- uneasy
    you poor old Contractor - you see, it's only Alf
    Last edited by AlfredJPruffock; 30 July 2009, 13:16.

    Leave a comment:


  • shaunbhoy
    replied
    Originally posted by MrMark View Post
    HOw far is 50 pence a day going to get me?
    Good point. Have you ever considered making up your own bogus stats?

    Leave a comment:


  • MrMark
    replied
    Originally posted by shaunbhoy View Post
    You could always turn tricks down the Docks. Worked for sasguru.
    HOw far is 50 pence a day going to get me?

    Leave a comment:


  • shaunbhoy
    replied
    Originally posted by MrMark View Post
    Been in this position before (6 months on the bench) but suspect if I can't get work soon, will never work in IT again. Last two contracts were extended, so I know I can still just about cut the mustard, but if I never get past the gatekeepers it all becomes academic.

    So do I:
    a) go bankrupt, and learn to sit in the park all day.
    b) Go sky-diving off Beachy head without parachute
    c) Drive a car into Glasgow airport
    d) Learn to carry bags at the local posh hotel
    You could always turn tricks down the Docks. Worked for sasguru.

    Leave a comment:


  • MrMark
    replied
    Originally posted by mace View Post
    At the job centre, they encourage the unemployed to learn IT skills. I reckon in about 5 years time it'll dawn on them that the IT market has gone down the pan. Perhaps they'll then start skilling the unemployed up in things like wind turbine construction as green energy is the new saviour of the UK, just ask the Isle of Wight workers.
    Well tbh the type of "IT skills" taught on this type of course are how to open text files, or format Excel cells etc. We're talking different levels here (I hope )

    Leave a comment:


  • MrMark
    replied
    Originally posted by original PM View Post
    You have to just keep plugging away

    it's no different to a permie trying to find a job - the more jobs you apply for the more chances you have of getting one

    it may be however you need to look down the permy route and get some experience - maybe even some paid training if you are lucky and then try and get back to contracting when things pick up.

    maybe look at a 3-5 year plan ??
    Permie route doesn't exist even in so-called "boom" years - they're really prejudiced against cvs with possible gaps and/or short stays. Only ended up contracting because I never even got interviews for permie roles. May be different if you're under 40 or in a certain niche.

    Leave a comment:

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