How do I explain lack of staying power?

[toomanycreambuns]

Background is... I am forties, degree educated and have risen to ranks of what I would call the equivalent of middle management. Bit difficult to say what without outing myself. I have contracted a lot during my career and longest I have spent in a job/company is 18 months.

Now, I don't really have a problem with this and although I always manage to find a job it is always flagged up at interview. I went to an interview on Friday and feedback was 'brilliant CV', 'can do job standing on head' but 'lack of staying power'.

Has anyone else ever had this? What did you do? Is there any hope for me?

If you’re a contractor you don’t need to have staying power. You work on medium length contracts/projects. Sounds fine to me.

No, I know but I'm looking for a permanent job at the moment.

I've often covered permanent people who are unreliable or been on sick leave who, on paper, probably look better than me in terms of staying power!