State of the Market

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4. If successful the tech interviews start. They seem more interested than discussing their list of technical requirements than your stated experience. This includes questions on technologies that you have claimed no experience in. [...]

How big was the urge to reply with "well have I ******* listed that as something I have experience with?"

I don't mind thorough interviews (to a point), but having to deal with retarded questions rubs me the wrong way.

[willendure]

Just got an out of the blue call from an agency looking for an AWS contractor to assist a client. Knowing the agency, tech and area I can see that this job is not advertised on any channels I normally look at. This particular agent is a bit of a PITA and called me months ago seemingly just to ask lots of questions with no particular role available. Looks like it does pay off to be polite, provide info and get your CV into their database. Not expecting it will go anywhere but you never know, could get an interview.

[Dorkeaux]

Just got an out of the blue call from an agency looking for an AWS contractor to assist a client. Knowing the agency, tech and area I can see that this job is not advertised on any channels I normally look at. This particular agent is a bit of a PITA and called me months ago seemingly just to ask lots of questions with no particular role available. Looks like it does pay off to be polite, provide info and get your CV into their database. Not expecting it will go anywhere but you never know, could get an interview.

Nice one. Not quite banana-level yet, but getting there.

[SchumiStars]

Am finding that too. It is so hard I just end up saying thanks for your time and cut them off. As the circles I am going round in is not worth the effort.

I am always polite to the agents TBF. I know they get a hard time from agents and clients but the reality is they are doing us a favour by getting us jobs.

An agent is your best friend. He's the guy who's going to get you the job and get you the extension. If it were easy, we could be doing it.

I know some arrogant twats who think they are the greatest programmer/deveeloper in the world all the agents/companies should be begging them to work with them. I usually avoid these kind of people in all honesty.

[TheDude]

Two first interviews arranged this week. One contract, one perm.

[avonleigh]

Two first interviews arranged this week. One contract, one perm.

Nice work. Good luck.

[Dorkeaux]

Two first interviews arranged this week. One contract, one perm.

Due? Muy excelente. You have the juice.
Regardless of whether it leads directly to roles/jobs, doing interviews is great practice.

[SussexSeagull]

How big was the urge to reply with "well have I ******* listed that as something I have experience with?"

I don't mind thorough interviews (to a point), but having to deal with retarded questions rubs me the wrong way.

I do hate interviews where they seem more interested in telling you what they know, as opposed to finding out what you know.

[SussexSeagull]

Just got an out of the blue call from an agency looking for an AWS contractor to assist a client. Knowing the agency, tech and area I can see that this job is not advertised on any channels I normally look at. This particular agent is a bit of a PITA and called me months ago seemingly just to ask lots of questions with no particular role available. Looks like it does pay off to be polite, provide info and get your CV into their database. Not expecting it will go anywhere but you never know, could get an interview.

In my experience over the last few years, work finds you as opposed to you finding work. Hitting Jobserve, LinkedIn jobs daily is just an exercise to keep you busy in between keeping the network warm.

[hungry_hog]

I have applied for a few perm roles and this is what I am seeing.

1. Salary ranges are quite low. I have played hardball and forced them to state their range which doesn't seem to be an issue.

2. There is an initial 30 min call to discuss experience. Then they hit you with 'the process'

3. 'the process' involves at least a 90 minute online coding challenge - these are tougher than they used to be and often involve different skills - coding, SQL, system design.

4. If successful the tech interviews start. They seem more interested than discussing their list of technical requirements than your stated experience. This includes questions on technologies that you have claimed no experience in.

5. If you make it through a couple of rounds of tech interviews there will be a personal/company fit interview.

6. If you make it to offer stage they will offer something at the lower end of any stated range.

7. The whole process takes at least 4 weeks.

It truly is a buyers market ATM.

you left out point 8 - they will not contact you directly after the process but will leave a reply on their job portal. Cough cough credit card company which sounds like Beezer.

You will need to check the portal every 34 minutes to find out if you have a job