Anyone else's OH out of work in this crappy market?

[Echobelly]

DH is a contractor in the digital field... he was hoping to be in last job another three months, but it didn't work out, so now he's out there and says there's a lot less than usual (things have slowed down a lot in last 6 months). It usually takes him between 6-12 weeks to land a new contract, but I am gearing up for a possible long haul. Friend recruiting in the field says she's seeing lots of people with his skillset out of work for 6 months +

Fortunately (albeit for sad reasons) I have inherited a large sum from my late grandfather earlier this year and and am expecting more once all probate stuff is cleared so we can stay afloat for the foreseeable (my salary can only cover about half our outgoings).

DH is pretty stressed and worried - it's been less than a month, but from previous experience, if he does't get something by the end of November, he's not likely to get anything before spring, as Dec-Feb are pretty dead at the best of times.

How is everyone in this situation doing?

Hi @Echobelly we are currently in the same situation. My OH was promised a permanent contract (although stated in his contract if the business "slows down", the company has the right to lay offs). Well that's what's happened to my OH. He's struggling with his mental health just now and this has really came as a huge blow to our family. I'm a student in my final year. He's trying to find agency jobs but no luck so far. It's so difficult and depressing. I hope your OH is lucky soon!

DH is trying to change jobs and has had no success for a year. Jobs appear when it looks like Brexit will be extended/go smoothly and then vaporise when it looks like a No Deal scenario. This is just the start of it, I fear

I think he needs to be flexible in what jobs he’s willing to do. My oh has worked in a specific job on chemical sites for 13 years. Before last Xmas though his contract ended and no one takes on for his role before Xmas time as the sites shut for 2-4 weeks over Xmas. So he ended up taking a day job cleaning and a night job in a warehouse until he could get a new contract after Xmas. I think your oh would be better off applying for anything he can physically do for now while still looking for a job he wants to do

Sorry to hear about the tough times for everyone - holding all your hands for a good outcome!

A few agents have actively contacted DH in the last week, rather than him having to contact everyone, which is a good sign. Amusingly, one has come up which is almost certainly in a project he was working on a year ago, which went very well for the 6 months and looked like extending, but a new manager came in and got rid of DH and lots of other people - he's waiting for confirmation but he's not going to go for it if it's the same guy!

He had an interview last week for a job that was actually nearby as opposed to central London, but he felt unsure about it beforehand and it turned out not to be the sort of work he does anyway, so he told the guy honestly after about 15 minutes that it wasn't right. We talked about it beforehand and he agreed with me that if it was the wrong thing/rang any alarm bells (we've learned to listen to those), I was fine with him saying 'no' if offered. But if his feeling was merely 'Meh' and he was offered it, he should take it in the current market. And I think the same goes for any other role. TBH, one of his most successful and long-running contracts was one he was a bit indifferent to when offered it but took because he needed something.