State of the Market

[Ketto]

Definitely take inside rather than sitting on the bench for endless months (or years as some people i know do). Several thousand pounds a month coming in each month is infinitely preferable to burning through war chests or personal savings. Nothing stopping you from carrying on the outside search and binning off the inside role if necessary.

[quackhandle]

Some small interest last week but this week has been total tumbleweed, even yesterday was pants as I seem to see more gigs posted on a Thursday.

Had a call from a pimp, I did ask "are you calling just to look busy as the contract market is completely flat?"

He laughed and said "you've got me bang to rights!"

Roll on April.

qh

[PerfectStorm]

I've started entertaining conversations with Indian recruitment call centres. That's how bad it's got.

(little has changed there though, nothing good seems to come from such interactions)

[avonleigh]

Just checked and it seems like Ajay Shah is no longer doing recruitment services. Sign of the times when the crocks are moving out.

Have we reached the bottom, no idea tbh, but it does seem recovery will be slow at the very least.

We are at the bottom. It can't get any worse, last week barely 1 job a day was posted for my area. Think all eyes are on April. See if there is any kind of recovery. Otherwise check again in October.

[SchumiStars]

We are at the bottom. It can't get any worse, last week barely 1 job a day was posted for my area. Think all eyes are on April. See if there is any kind of recovery. Otherwise check again in October.

That's what was said this time, last year. We all waited for April, then Oct and again for the new year.

I am waiting for a lease to become available and then see about opening a coffee shop or something. Sagnation, is the worst. I could lose another 2yrs like this.

[Bluenose]

A contract opportunity can come at any time, if i only looked in April or October, I would have stayed on the bench forever.

[SussexSeagull]

A contract opportunity can come at any time, if i only looked in April or October, I would have stayed on the bench forever.

I have actually got contracts during the school holidays, the run up to Christmas and in January before. In fact the market used to be fairly good in January until a few years ago.

I have been out since June last year and we were all hoping the UK General Election, US Presidantial election and the budget (plus a few other things) would improve matters. None of them have so I am not overly confident the financial new year will improve the market.

Just need to keep ploughing on.

[jamesbrown]

see about opening a coffee shop or something

In all seriousness, you probably should - not necessarily that thing, but something that appeals and can pay the bills. Even when opportunities arise, I expect you are not interviewing very well because you've been out so long and will have a cynical attitude to everything. Probably time for a positive change in one direction or another.

There may be a broader recovery eventually, which may help IT workers to some degree but, honestly, the forces of offshoring, immigration and the commoditisation of generic IT skills are entrenched and are not going to disappear, so the highs and lows will be trending down, and rates with them. Most recent example: https://www.reuters.com/business/fin...ts-2025-03-07/

[SussexSeagull]

The other thing is to do voluntary work to keep you active.

[SchumiStars]

In all seriousness, you probably should - not necessarily that thing, but something that appeals and can pay the bills. Even when opportunities arise, I expect you are not interviewing very well because you've been out so long and will have a cynical attitude to everything. Probably time for a positive change in one direction or another.

There may be a broader recovery eventually, which may help IT workers to some degree but, honestly, the forces of offshoring, immigration and the commoditisation of generic IT skills are entrenched and are not going to disappear, so the highs and lows will be trending down, and rates with them. Most recent example: https://www.reuters.com/business/fin...ts-2025-03-07/

I'm physically very active. Need a good mindset in order to train everyday.

Generally, having a good market, does help with interviews. I would normally do numerous, perm and contract to hedge bets and for interview practice.

Unfortunately, being were we are, getting a any interest from agents is hard enough these days.

Nevermind, not the end of the world. Just booked a few days for holiday to get away from this tulip.