State of the Market

[Bluenose]

Europe is slightly better I'd say, UK still has positions but way more people applying, typically anything IT related is 100+ applications in the first 6-8hrs, this is hybrid mind you, anything remote is way more. Downside with Europe is having to know the local language, unless it's a big corp or Scandi (everything I've found in German speaking countries needed German).

I'd still take the renewal mind you, market might be better Q3/Q4 and there might be more roles.

I'm in the same position, end of July and it's like on bloody death row, especially with not a lot of work (you get even more "the end is near" vibes).

Many of us have been here before and experienced it from both sides (in contract watching the carnage and actually being part of the carnage) looking at what metrics and tools I have to hand.

The U.S Market looks like a feeding frenzy, the EU+UK market barely has a pulse.

[SussexSeagull]

I would add that getting several hundred applications for a contract or job isn't a new thing. The difference might be a higher percentage are actually capable of doing the role at the moment.

[dsc]

I would add that getting several hundred applications for a contract or job isn't a new thing. The difference might be a higher percentage are actually capable of doing the role at the moment.

Sure, I was simply highlighting what others said several times already, that unless you have some links to the recruiter / client, or manage to get your CV in the first 10-20 CVs, your CV is most likely going to drown in a sea of other applications.

[PCTNN]

Snap! Been on ther bench since end of 2023 with very little in the way of promising leads since. First time in 16 years I've had more than 2 weeks on the bench and at the moment its looking like I might be waiting a good while yet for the next role.

how's the warchest? Must be pretty chunky after 16 years with so little time on the bench

[rocktronAMP]

how's the warchest? Must be pretty chunky after 16 years with so little time on the bench

Yes haha! 16 years of continuous income at a high rate, how lovely PCTNN? I can only dream of it with flaming hindsight.

Did IP ever PCP on a car with hefty balloon payment?
Did IP ever move from 2.5 bedroom terraced house in a built-up dense town area to a lovely 4.5 bedroom detached town house with 50 foot garden in a plush desirable area? (Did you hear that news about the Chanceller saying £100K is not as much as you'd think it is?)
Did IP blow £££ on gambling?
Did IP max out credit cards on fur coats and boats and ski chalets and what not and invest in a pleasure boat?
Did IP go all out in terms fishing equipment? or build that expensive music recording studio in the shed / garden allotment?
Did IP buy diamonds and pearls for the lovely spouse / missus / mister (or side person)?

I bust out laughing at PCTNN and then after one minute I stopped laughing with the seriousness of it all. Flaming hindsight. I'd have kept working and working myself if and only if I knew one IOTA of the last 7,8,9, 10 years and I would've cut excessive spend for truth.

[hungry_hog]

in FS the only place hiring contractors seems to be the Bank that sounds a bit like "Bitty", working there makes the trials for the SAS look like a trip to the Dorcester for afternoon tea with your granny.
They are always hiring as people always leave.

[pjt]

how's the warchest? Must be pretty chunky after 16 years with so little time on the bench

Very healthy, but I'm not enjoyiong seeing it decrease might take some getting used to lol

[avonleigh]

From freelance informer today.

http://url406.freelance-informer.com...LsyKpT3peO0-3D

[hobnob]

From freelance informer today.

For anyone who looked at that URL and thought "nope!", it's an article which refers to "a recent IPSE survey". So, probably better to go directly to the source:
One in 10 contractors out of work due to controversial tax changes | IPSE

Key points:

One in ten highly skilled freelancers are currently out of work due to the impact of controversial reforms to IR35 tax legislation, according to new research.

A survey of more than 1,300 contractors in highly skilled roles found that 21% are not currently working, with half of them attributing this to the impact of reforms to IR35 tax rules.

Meanwhile, 55% of contractors said they had rejected an offer of work in the past 12 months due to it being deemed ‘inside IR35’ by the client. Furthermore, 24% said they intend to seek contracts overseas this year to escape the rules.

[tsmith]

From freelance informer today.

http://url406.freelance-informer.com...LsyKpT3peO0-3D

Bank that sounds like Bitty? I WANT BITTY! Cant guess. Little Britain settings

Interesting just had that convo with my family yesterday eg I might have to go to the USA. Then today just got my first interview in a year with an American company.

classic quote in that article - "the UK could join India as an offshore jobs market for highly skilled talent on the cheap. Cheap for American standards that is."

Salaries in the USA seem insane for tech compared to here thats for sure. It seems to be $150k+ for what I do.

How much that nets and whether I can get a VISA is another thing.

The way things are falling salary wise in the UK eg back to 2003 levels - thats moving towards 3X what Ive been approached for recently

This is the total number of SAAS companies by country, USA literally 10x.

As we've discussed before a lot of those USA SAAS companies will be pitching off the shelf solutions to UK companies to kill their bespoke internal systems. And with it nuking the UK headcount.

United States	9,100
United Kingdom	1,500
Canada	992
Germany	840
India	711