.net contracting market

[diseasex]

Surely if you are a specialist as opposed to just a generic .NET guy then you are able to apply for niche contracts?

For example I am a WPF developer which requires skills specific to that technology which have a steep learning curve. It would be hard for a generic .NET developer to hit the ground running with XAML, MVVM etc.

On the flip side, the jack of all trades can apply for a wider range of roles whereas a specialist restricts himself to limited opportunities...

Right,
I have 2 niches now - javascript and .net full stack. Thinking of picking up umbraco on the bench. hopefully that will be enough

[Unix]

Right,
I have 2 niches now - javascript and .net full stack. Thinking of picking up umbraco on the bench. hopefully that will be enough

Do you have commercial experience in these though?, reading a book or doing an online tutorial doesn't make you an expert I am afraid.

[eek]

Do you have commercial experience in these though?, reading a book or doing an online tutorial doesn't make you an expert I am afraid.

Nor can you call javascript and .net niches....

[Unix]

Nor can you call javascript and .net niches....

True, is this another one of Suitys sockies?

[oliverson]

Surely if you are a specialist as opposed to just a generic .NET guy then you are able to apply for niche contracts?

For example I am a WPF developer which requires skills specific to that technology which have a steep learning curve. It would be hard for a generic .NET developer to hit the ground running with XAML, MVVM etc.

On the flip side, the jack of all trades can apply for a wider range of roles whereas a specialist restricts himself to limited opportunities...

Until you realise that WPF contracts are very, very thin on the ground and mostly confined to London and banking but even then, they are being eroded by AngularJS roles. I should know because it's my market. Then when you consider that there's a LOT of competition at the higher end of the pay scale for WPF, it occurs to you having the niche skills sometimes isn't enough for some developers. I've done a lot of interviewing of candidates for WPF roles, both permie and contractor and finding decent ones is like finding a needle in a haystack.

[diseasex]

Nor can you call javascript and .net niches....

im talking about front end in general - html5 angular css3 bootstrap nodejs etc.....

[oliverson]

im talking about front end in general - html5 angular css3 bootstrap nodejs etc.....

front-end nodejs eh? nice

[diseasex]

front-end nodejs eh? nice

What , is this now thread what is what and what is not? go away if you have nothing constructive to say

[Willapp]

im talking about front end in general - html5 angular css3 bootstrap nodejs etc.....

I think the point is have you delivered commercial projects using these technologies? I've dabbled with AngularJS on some pet projects and in reality I could probably deliver a commercial project with it, but with no hard evidence on my CV I wouldn't be pitching for an Angular role, it would just be an added bonus to my client if they wanted my other skills.

Don't think people are putting you down, just be aware that contract roles, unlike perm positions, cast a much wider net as the good contractors will travel far and wide to get a decent rate meaning you aren't just competing against local bobs but everyone with those skills within a 2-3 hour radius (or more) of where you're based. If you don't have a solid angle to your CV then getting your first contract will be a mixture of luck and perseverance finding a client willing to give you a shot.

[diseasex]

I think the point is have you delivered commercial projects using these technologies? I've dabbled with AngularJS on some pet projects and in reality I could probably deliver a commercial project with it, but with no hard evidence on my CV I wouldn't be pitching for an Angular role, it would just be an added bonus to my client if they wanted my other skills.

Don't think people are putting you down, just be aware that contract roles, unlike perm positions, cast a much wider net as the good contractors will travel far and wide to get a decent rate meaning you aren't just competing against local bobs but everyone with those skills within a 2-3 hour radius (or more) of where you're based. If you don't have a solid angle to your CV then getting your first contract will be a mixture of luck and perseverance finding a client willing to give you a shot.

Yeah I figured that out already but even on perm they do invite me to interviews, with next one being on Friday despite the notice. So I guess it's not that bad? But yeah this company was interviewing gazillion candidates for entire week and didn't find the right one and im next. Oh well. As you say , its going to be down to a luck.