Extension update

 Looks like the extension is going ahead, hurry up and get my new contract in front of me though.  I've only got 1 day left before i'm off for 11 with my nose op.  Then I have 2 days left total!

Job update

 More job news...

My current company have verbally offered me a 6 month extension, a nice pay rise and a guaranteed 10/12ths bonus at the end of the contract.  Problem is that it needs to go up the chain to our new American bosses.  It's all signed off in London though.

The new company wants me to get back to them by Wednesday.  Hurry up America!

Contract news

 I just received a message from the recruiter and i'll be getting the formal contract through next Tuesday.

New job

 I've decided to accept the new job offer.  I'll be starting at the end of next month!  It's also bonus day at my current place so a good reason to celebrate!

3 interviews yesterday

 I had 3 interviews yesterday, 1 for a job I think I already have (if I want it), and another for a consultancy.  There's nothing coming out of my current role (just been bought by another company) so I think i'll take it.

I even put on a shirt

I start on Monday

I got the all clear from HR and I start first thing on Monday. It's been a ball ache but all sorted now. It'll be nice to get paid again.

Monday morning's dog walk

 Wow, Tonbridge is nice when the sun comes out.  A lovely start to the day, then I had to go into town for two interviews.  Urgh.

Interview

 I've now gone and got myself an interview.  I haven't received the contract extension from HR yet so haven't signed anything that would tie me down, but looks like they'd need me at the end of June anyway.  This is on Thursday so fingers crossed!

One of Arthur's jobs

 We get a bit of condensation on our bedroom window in the morning.  One of Arthur's jobs is to help us suck up the water.

What's the best thing about the new company?

 Decent stationery cupboard!  The last few places have been shit.  No decent pens and certainly no nice hard bound note pads.

Fill my boots!

New job lined up

 It's a bit early to be looking but a new role was passed onto me a couple of weeks ago and they've offered it to me and i've accepted.  Not properly contracting any more, it's a fixed term contract as maternity cover.  Money's good, plus it comes with all the usual benefits that apply to permanent roles in the city, health, pension, bonus etc.   I should get the contract through later today.

Nice to have something lined up for when I get back from Australia.

First time i've been called that

 I had the second interview for a new role yesterday, at the end of the meeting the HR chap called me a Unicorn.

According to google "a person or thing that is rare and highly valued"

I laughed, and told him my daughter would enjoy that.  Looks pretty assured at this stage but you never know.  This HR chat is what I call a dickhead test.  Basically, the team that's recruited me have said they want me, someone else has to come in and check i'm not a dickhead.  I can hide that for sure during a 30 minute chat!

Last day tomorrow

 It's my last day of my contract tomorrow. Nothing lined up for my next role yet but there are a couple of things in the fire that might pan out.

I'm actually looking forward to the time off! 

20 years in the city

I started work in the City of London 20 years ago last week.  It's a strange feeling, I've met lots of nice people, some of which are still very good friends. Some have been wankers but I guess you get that in every industry. Money's been good, very good for the amount of work I have to do so overall I have very little to complain about. 

Strange anniversary

It's a year today since I was told to work from home, i'm now on my third contract.  It's very strange really.  At my last place I didn't even meet them face to face.  There were a couple of opportunities to head in but we were all given the choice to go into the office and I opted for thanks but no thanks.

It's looking likely that we'll all be going back into the office at some point, probably in the summer but it will be strange. 

Job update 2

 It's confirmed i'm not starting today, a new start date has been pencilled in for the 22nd.  Frustrating but it is what it is.

So I got the new job

They offered an me an few quid a day so I accepted.  It's not outside IR35 so can't put it through my company but is still very good money so can't really complain.  They're just going through all the paper work now.

Start date should be 15th Feb so 2 weeks holiday for me!

New job?

Still not heard back from one agency but I was made an offer by my prefered choice yesterday.  Unfortunately this role is inside IR35 (tax regime).  That means I would be basically be paid paye instead of paying corporation tax and dividends which is much less tax efficient.

Also, they they've not upped their rate they're willing to pay me to compensate some of the difference (approx 20%), my recruiter went back to them yesterday afternoon with a small increase counter offer but i've not heard anything since.

We'll see.  

That's it

My latest contract has ended. On the plus side I've have a second interview at my preferred choice tomorrow.

Fingers crossed. 

Last week of work starts today

And I hope it's a quiet one.  Apart from a bit of short notice work that I had to do early this morning it should go fairly easily.

Looks like the few opportunities that I had a couple of weeks ago have gone quiet which is a shame as i'd like to keep working if possible but a lot of companies have just stopped all projects or ceased recruitment all together.

Something will come along.