Avoiding Down Time

Many Contract Recruiters are blessed with a continual flow of new assignments.  Sometimes, they are contracted directly with a large recruiting agency and receive new search assignments as they complete each position.  Others are working for corporate employers on contract in the HR/Recruiting Department on shorter contract assignments.  These contracts of course can suddenly come to conclusion based on a variety of factors which are unforeseen, and we find ourselves out looking for a new contract in a scramble.  " p; P/ W1 t% t. W1 L/ t

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I regularly see postings in my Yahoo Group for ContractRecruiterJobs from Contract Recruiters who are desperate for a new assignment.  Their previous “gig” has ended somewhat abruptly and they find themselves looking for a new opportunity.  Of course, desperation for a new assignment can lead to poor decisions and even assignments that are drudgery or poorly compensated.
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So, how is a Contract Recruiter who intends to make the profession a permanent career path supposed to avoid down time when they do not have an active assignment?  I suppose the answer to the question can come in many forms.  I personally feel that it is hard to “network” or search for a new Contract Recruiting position while doing a 110% effort on my present assignments.  I have been fortunate to move from one assignment to the next fairly quickly with little down time or lack of income.  I’m also lucky enough now to be working on a great assignment with one of the best and biggest firms in the world when it comes to middle management Contract Recruiting.  But I’m sure some day; I will be out looking again for that next great assignment.
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Well, I guess it makes sense to go back to basics.  Just like any other job seeker, we need to have a plan of attack for our job search (Contract Job Search that is).  We should have our resume or other background information always up to date and ready to provide to prospective employers.  In our line of work, we should also keep a list of references from past clients or employers who have agreed to give a positive comment on our past Contract Recruiting capabilities.  I’d also recommend keeping very active in Contract Recruiter networking groups.  Certainly Groups like my Yahoo Group and many other great discussion Groups here on ERE are excellent places to stay involved and keep our finger on the pulse of the Contract Recruiter market.# }: l1 ^( I( p- [8 K1 j
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I think our situation is a lot like executives we may place in new career opportunities.  We all must maintain our networks even when we are fully employed and maybe in our case completely buried in a current Contract Recruiter search assignment.  In the career path of a Contract Recruiter, we always need to be looking for that next great assignment!