State of the Market

[malvolio]

careful, malevolent doesn't like positive posts on here.

Yes I do. It's the negative, pointless, zero-value ones I have problems with...

[coolhandluke]

Looks like I'm going to get offered another 12 month extension on a FTC. Programme is doomed but the work-stream that I'm on is only mildly depressing.

FTC salary is good, with great benefits such as 8 weeks holiday & WFH

Not sure if a bird in the hand etc...

[BlueSharp]

Yes I do. It's the negative, pointless, zero-value ones I have problems with...

That's got to be at least 80% of all traffic on the forum!

[herestherelad]

whats most peoples expertise on here then Developers,

Ive been struggling to find a role now since september i was i turned down a Perm Job last July with a decent salary as i had 3 remote contracts come in at once then within weeks i was down to 1 which is terrible pay for the work im doing.

stupid decision to turn that role down i think given how bad its been since, not i cant seem to find Perm or Contract work

M365 Specialist btw

[bobf]

whats most peoples expertise on here then Developers,

Ive been struggling to find a role now since september i was i turned down a Perm Job last July with a decent salary as i had 3 remote contracts come in at once then within weeks i was down to 1 which is terrible pay for the work im doing.

stupid decision to turn that role down i think given how bad its been since, not i cant seem to find Perm or Contract work

M365 Specialist btw

No work since 2024. Started off quiet and then got steadily worse. A couple of contract interviews in that time, and a handful of perm ones, but nothing landed. Although as the contract pimps haven't actually got back to me post-interview maybe I'm still in with a chance

[SPURSN17]

how's the DevOps market at the min? been out of the contract world for good 15 years (used to do 2nd line worked my way through lots NHS trusts and councils) feel like I've hit a ceiling perm salary wise at 80k. considering getting into AI tools etc as that seems to be the direction....

[DaiTheContractor]

how's the DevOps market at the min? been out of the contract world for good 15 years (used to do 2nd line worked my way through lots NHS trusts and councils) feel like I've hit a ceiling perm salary wise at 80k. considering getting into AI tools etc as that seems to be the direction....

The SC cleared and government-related DevOps work is booming from what I've seen on LinkedIn this week. They usually have very specific tooling experience requests but if it's similar enough to stuff you've worked on elsewhere you can easily blag it.

[hungry_hog]

Looks like I'm going to get offered another 12 month extension on a FTC. Programme is doomed but the work-stream that I'm on is only mildly depressing.

FTC salary is good, with great benefits such as 8 weeks holiday & WFH

Not sure if a bird in the hand etc...

Bird in the hand is invaluable in this market. Can always apply for 'better' roles in meantime, easier to find new contracts when in contract (sadly). Friend of mine was out for 2 years and had to take contract at 200pd just to get back in.
Would say half the projects I have been on are 'death march'. Worked on one at a large US Bank which seemed to involve pulling metrics (won't say what they were) out of thin air and shoving in powerpoint for MDs. Literally added no value. Did it for 9 months and that was enough.

[TheDude]

whats most peoples expertise on here then Developers,

Ive been struggling to find a role now since september i was i turned down a Perm Job last July with a decent salary as i had 3 remote contracts come in at once then within weeks i was down to 1 which is terrible pay for the work im doing.

stupid decision to turn that role down i think given how bad its been since, not i cant seem to find Perm or Contract work

M365 Specialist btw

My experience is that my bread and butter - contract roles at investment banks - have disappeared.

I have accepted that perm is probably the best option. In the past I could virtually guarantee by CV would earn at least a phone screen but this is no longer the case.

The few perm interview processes I have experienced were over multiple stages and went very heavy on timed coding challenges.

I am currently on a public sector contract on my lowest ever rate (thankfully outside IR35). This is my third public sector contract in a year and the previous two have been cut short due to constantly changing vendor/supplier issues.

I have been told I have 40 more billable days this financial years and no idea if I will be renewed. I have little doubt the agent/supplier would cheerfully throw me under the bus just to re-advertise the role at a lower rate just so they could make another £20 a day.

[agentzero]

you're confusing me with someone who GAFF what you think.

2 years ago TheDude wrote posts like yours. Big headed, indispensable, in demand. Now look at their posts. Tides turn, don't get cocky.