State of the Market

[Elliegirl]

Started to think about catching a train. Not good.

What field of work are you in?

[SchumiStars]

What field of work are you in?

Software dev. Java, C#, Node, SQL

[BigDataPro]

They seem to be doing ok on that front. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...2.cms?from=mdr

+1. India is doing well in their own defence manufacturing under the "Make in India" programme and doing very well in its exporting as well.

[SussexSeagull]

Software dev. Java, C#, Node, SQL

I don't keep up with the trends in development platforms but if someone experienced in those technologies can't find work then most of us are in trouble.

[Fraidycat]

I don't keep up with the trends in development platforms but if someone experienced in those technologies can't find work then most of us are in trouble.

Even if you have Java or C# they will look for a closer match and experience in more specific sub skills. Just to filter through the 100s of CVs they get. Along with the other common filters like working the same sector recently.

[GJABS]

Software dev. Java, C#, Node, SQL

Interesting. My main skill is SQL, but I've developed a hobby aerial photos website in javascript, compiled with node.js. and a few years ago wrote a hobby trading website in C#. I wonder whether it is worth trying to build on the second two skills and try and use them professionally? Maybe I would not be able to find work though, if your experience is typical?

[SchumiStars]

Interesting. My main skill is SQL, but I've developed a hobby aerial photos website in javascript, compiled with node.js. and a few years ago wrote a hobby trading website in C#. I wonder whether it is worth trying to build on the second two skills and try and use them professionally? Maybe I would not be able to find work though, if your experience is typical?

It's always worth trying. I was always C# and then got a contract, oddly, wanting me to do Java. I had to learn, very quickly on the job. That was about 20yrs ago though.

Its also very different today than how it was when I first started circa Y2K. It does seem that, although useful, having an understanding of how computers work in detail is not required. I.e. Knowing how memory is allocated or how to improve performance on a database.

I am also very sure that the freshies, like Accenture graduates, are not particuly interested in computer science. They use it as an entry point for a career in order to become a (project/programme/tech) manager of some sort has it has more status associated.

It's only when you get to my age do you work out that being a developer within an aging community is probably not cool.

[GJABS]

It's always worth trying. I was always C# and then got a contract, oddly, wanting me to do Java. I had to learn, very quickly on the job. That was about 20yrs ago though.

Its also very different today than how it was when I first started circa Y2K. It does seem that, although useful, having an understanding of how computers work in detail is not required. I.e. Knowing how memory is allocated or how to improve performance on a database.

I am also very sure that the freshies, like Accenture graduates, are not particuly interested in computer science. They use it as an entry point for a career in order to become a (project/programme/tech) manager of some sort has it has more status associated.

It's only when you get to my age do you work out that being a developer within an aging community is probably not cool.

Thanks for that. I do have C# .NET mentioned in the body of my CV, and as a result of that I got a call from an agent re a C# gig a few weeks ago, to which she said she would forward the CV to the client.
But a week later the client got back to her saying "we also have a SQL DBA role that might be a closer fit to GJABS's CV - would he prefer to apply to that perhaps". I said no to that, as I wanted the C# job. But I heard nothing further.

As an aside, given how quiet the market is, I'm using my free time to compile a wiki on an internet-facing Raspberry PI, comprising a detailed history of my career, describing the various projects I've worked on over the years. And link to it from my main CV. Who knows it might improve my job prospects, though I am not getting my hopes up!

I hope you find work too in the not too distant future - and I still think being a developer is cool - at any age

[Sub]

Not better value. My experience is that cheap labor costs more in the long term. As you have to redo the work in most cases.

Of course, but why this should be a concern for an executives or shareholders of the company, if they can increase their short and medium-term bonuses / dividends by drastically reducing costs of labor for this FY?

They take their 6/7 figure salaries, plus bonuses, say "sorry, it seem to be time for some one else to step in" and depart leaving pile of s*te behind. And it will be their end-client's (and this is often public sector entity) problem to sort - usually by spending more money with another vendor.

Answering to your previous question, what immigration, Thames Water and workers rights has to do with each other - all those issues have same source. And this is ukplc conduct, placing short-term, small group benefits above welfare of their workers as well general public interests, health and safety. And to do that, they use every available method including lobbying necessary policies through weak government.

Despite same end-result, the problem we have is not: "Immigrants (legal by the way, guys coming on rafts unlikely to take anyone's job) taking UK programmers jobs", it is "companies increasing their profits by giving UK programmer jobs to immigrants they bring in". While there is little difference in outcome for UK programmers, correct statement of the problem is critical to finding a solution.

[dsc]

Not better value. My experience is that cheap labour costs more in the long term. As you have to redo the work in most cases.

Hate the fockers bringing them here then, wasn't that the whole Brexit idea? get rid of fairly skilled EU migration and replace it with migration from countries where EU rules don't apply and make a buck or two? Whoever voted for that, should hate themselves, not the chaps coming over to work as they were brought in. Of course it's easier to dump it on the people brought in and hating them for "stealing our jobs".