Have Your Say: What's your tips for staying contracting during a recession?

IR35 Test

With pundits warning that a recession is around the corner, and surveys indicating a market slow down, what's the best way to cope for contractors?

Some of you may remember the last 1990's shortly after the dot com boom, when contracting rates almost halved (sorry to remind you!). Many contractors found themselves moving back to permanent employment, while others managed to secure some of the remaining available contracts.

We don't think the predicted downturn will be quiet like the dot com crash, but demand probably won't be as high as it has been in recent years.

Did you ride out the last contracting downturn? What are your tips for staying in contract during a lull in demand?

Published: Monday, May 19, 2008

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Readers Comments...

This article has 2 comments.

Speech Bubble Added: Wed, 04 Jun 2008

Be courteous to all your clients. I generally follow up every few months - not as a direct sales pitch, but more to give them info they might genuinely find useful.

It is also useful to showcase your work on a website - together with an online diary so clients can see when you are available.

Rob, Reading.

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Speech Bubble Added: Thu, 12 Jun 2008

1. Make sure your CV is red hot.
2. Make twice as many phone calls as before.
3. Network like crazy.
4. Be prepared to accept lower rates.
5. Make yourself indispensable at your current client.

Or, just take a nice long holiday!

Annie, London.

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