Is contracting scene in Midlands dead?

**BrilloPad** · 8 February 2009, 17:05

Originally posted by niceguyeddie View Post

Hello,

I've been on the bench since xmas and there seems to be nothing on the horizon and the only leads I seem to be getting are permy jobs.

Is it just the market being very slow at the moment or am I doing something wrong? I have 10 years+ experience in web (.net) and db (sqlserver and oracle) but there seems to be nothing in the pipeline...My rate isn't even that high...I even have excellent references from line managers when they don't really need to give me them.

I know I need to keep my chin up but I need a gig soon or will go stir crazy..

Even considering a 4 hour daily commute to London if things don't improve soon.

Advice and even sarcastic witty comments such as "shut up you whiner" would be appreciated.

cheers

ed

Shut up you whiner

Seriously : where is the midlands? Is this north of Watford?

**niceguyeddie** · 8 February 2009, 17:19

Thanks, I award you a pie and a pint if you're ever up near Lincolnshire as this is the 1st time I've smiled today..

Yes, it's anywhere north of watford and south of newcastle

..I have thought of pointing some agents who have called me towards a map as some think bristol and manchester are in the midlands

cheers

**zara_backdog** · 8 February 2009, 17:21

Originally posted by niceguyeddie View Post

Hello,

I've been on the bench since xmas and there seems to be nothing on the horizon and the only leads I seem to be getting are permy jobs.

Is it just the market being very slow at the moment or am I doing something wrong? I have 10 years+ experience in web (.net) and db (sqlserver and oracle) but there seems to be nothing in the pipeline...My rate isn't even that high...I even have excellent references from line managers when they don't really need to give me them.

I know I need to keep my chin up but I need a gig soon or will go stir crazy..

Even considering a 4 hour daily commute to London if things don't improve soon.

Advice and even sarcastic witty comments such as "shut up you whiner" would be appreciated.

cheers

ed

Give it time

There is work in and around the midlands and I don't think it is any worse then anywhere else. If you can travel/stay over - maybe worth looking futher but make sure the rate is OK

**BrilloPad** · 8 February 2009, 17:22

Originally posted by niceguyeddie View Post

Thanks, I award you a pie and a pint if you're ever up near Lincolnshire as this is the 1st time I've smiled today..

Yes, it's anywhere north of watford and south of newcastle

..I have thought of pointing some agents who have called me towards a map as some think bristol and manchester are in the midlands

cheers

I am sure there are a couple of people from the Midlands who got gigs recently : look at the "off the bench" type threads.

Keep going : you will get there!

**zara_backdog** · 8 February 2009, 17:28

Originally posted by BrilloPad View Post

I am sure there are a couple of people from the Midlands who got gigs recently : look at the "off the bench" type threads.

Keep going : you will get there!

Me

Although I may be on the bench in 5 weeks once this gig is over

**BolshieBastard** · 8 February 2009, 17:55

Originally posted by niceguyeddie View Post

Hello,

I've been on the bench since xmas and there seems to be nothing on the horizon and the only leads I seem to be getting are permy jobs.

Is it just the market being very slow at the moment or am I doing something wrong? I have 10 years+ experience in web (.net) and db (sqlserver and oracle) but there seems to be nothing in the pipeline...My rate isn't even that high...I even have excellent references from line managers when they don't really need to give me them.

I know I need to keep my chin up but I need a gig soon or will go stir crazy..

Even considering a 4 hour daily commute to London if things don't improve soon.

Advice and even sarcastic witty comments such as "shut up you whiner" would be appreciated.

cheers

ed

Being on the bench since christmas isnt that long. There is after all a credit crunch on which means companies just arent committing to IT Projects.

I think anyone who isnt in a contract atm needs to batten down the hatches be patient and be constantly on the lookout..

**zara_backdog** · 8 February 2009, 17:59

Originally posted by BolshieBastard View Post

Being on the bench since christmas isnt that long. There is after all a credit crunch on which means companies just arent committing to IT Projects.

I think anyone who isnt in a contract atm needs to batten down the hatches be patient and be constantly on the lookout..

Wise Words.

**NickFitz** · 8 February 2009, 18:03

I've just got off the bench, although I'm having to travel from the East Midlands to oop North. Still, I should be able to get a decent pint of Tetley

There's definitely stuff turning up around Birmingham and Nottingham at the moment (just not in my field). Things have picked up noticeably over the past couple of weeks.

**cojak** · 8 February 2009, 18:03

I live in the East Midlands area.

I did manage a 3 month contract that let me travel to Leeds every day. But if I waited for one to appear close to home I'd have starved to death by now.

Have you considered going for a permie job?

Is contracting scene in Midlands dead?