Market very quiet

[MattZani]

Hi guys

You always talk about warchest and not to be afraid of some bench time.

In nowadays context with what appears to be a contract market very quiet and a permie market kind of booming, how long would you be willing to sit on the bench before considering to go back to permieland?

Even if you had a 1 or 2 years warchest, would you be able to wait for that long and dry it all?

[glippiglop]

I've been benched for 4 months now. Granted, I got married and went on a honeymoon (which, combined, maybe add up to 2 months) after which it was still summer, but the fact that I haven't had a single interview in the last month is not something I'm used to. I'm a Java generalist with 15 years of commercial experience, and I can't even get in for an interview. I keep hearing how there's contractor rate cuts and them being fired everywhere in financial services, but I didn't expect it to be this bad.

I've found the same re: Java. The jobs are definitely there to be had, but I think competition for them is higher than it's ever been. Ultimately that equates to being undercut on rates. I'm now focusing on C++ contracts because in knowing that fewer people can code it well, I can at least make a good showing at interview and not have to lower my rate.

The problem for me is that I can barely stomach C++as a language - but at this point it seems like it's either that; wait for the market to swing; or go perm!

[oliverson]

I've found the same re: Java. The jobs are definitely there to be had, but I think competition for them is higher than it's ever been. Ultimately that equates to being undercut on rates. I'm now focusing on C++ contracts because in knowing that fewer people can code it well, I can at least make a good showing at interview and not have to lower my rate.

The problem for me is that I can barely stomach C++as a language - but at this point it seems like it's either that; wait for the market to swing; or go perm!

It could be worse, you could be doing C++ as a permie (or worse still, Objective C as a permie (or even more worse with cherries on top, Javascript as a permie ) ).

:-D

[blacksta]

Hello Guys

I am playing with the idea of tailoring CV as per advertised role. The question is, how do you reflect this tailoring on linkedin ?

[BolshieBastard]

Hi guys

You always talk about warchest and not to be afraid of some bench time.

In nowadays context with what appears to be a contract market very quiet and a permie market kind of booming, how long would you be willing to sit on the bench before considering to go back to permieland?

Even if you had a 1 or 2 years warchest, would you be able to wait for that long and dry it all?

Unless you want time out or are prepared to sit and wait to see if something suitable comes along, why would anyone fritter away a hard built up warchest?

If you havent found anything after 3 months, you'll soon find that will become 4, 5 or even 6 months.

Set a time you're prepared to be out then you want to consider permiedom.

Hello Guys

I am playing with the idea of tailoring CV as per advertised role. The question is, how do you reflect this tailoring on linkedin ?

You cant edit LI frequently to that extent. You'd have to reduce the info on LI for each role to basic information such as how long, position, basic tech and responsibilities.

[NickNick]

Hello Guys

I am playing with the idea of tailoring CV as per advertised role. The question is, how do you reflect this tailoring on linkedin ?

I wouldn't worry about LI vs CV. If you think of the CV as a marketing tool and therefore only present the most pertinent information to the client on it. Then consider the data on LinkedIn as the deep dive info that a potential client can find out if they want.

[blacksta]

I wouldn't worry about LI vs CV. If you think of the CV as a marketing tool and therefore only present the most pertinent information to the client on it. Then consider the data on LinkedIn as the deep dive info that a potential client can find out if they want.

Which is why i raised the question. Considering most clients will look up the Linkedin profile, my worry is that Either the CV or LinkedIn profile will be out of sync. I would like to counter this by providing just absolute basic info ( Company name/role /technologies) on LI..

[kaiser78]

Which is why i raised the question. Considering most clients will look up the Linkedin profile, my worry is that Either the CV or LinkedIn profile will be out of sync. I would like to counter this by providing just absolute basic info ( Company name/role /technologies) on LI..

Agree - LinkedIn should be a summary of your roles and qualifications etc, the CV has the fuller details. Too many people have too much detail on their LinkedIn profile about what they have done for every single role, which I would suggest people reviewing the profile don't read anyway.

[kaiser78]

I wouldn't worry about LI vs CV. If you think of the CV as a marketing tool and therefore only present the most pertinent information to the client on it. Then consider the data on LinkedIn as the deep dive info that a potential client can find out if they want.

Don't agree - as per previous post, I think the other way round to what you state is more effective.

[psychocandy]

Hello Guys

I am playing with the idea of tailoring CV as per advertised role. The question is, how do you reflect this tailoring on linkedin ?

Always wondered that. All well and good 'highlighting' stuff on your CV and leaving out non-relevant stuff....

Until someone looks at your generic linkedin profile.