State of the Market

[LondonManc]

There is still quite a gap between what is being offered and what I can earn even inside IR35. That may change for others who have to Monday-Friday away and getting expenses paid by a consultancy is a better option. It looks like some of the big IT Consultancies are expanding to fill in the void.

I can see perm consultant roles becoming a happy medium for many contractors where the work is varied and project-based without the hassle and worry of bench time.

[Skag]

I can see perm consultant roles becoming a happy medium for many contractors where the work is varied and project-based without the hassle and worry of bench time.

That may be an option by oh! The politics! The limited holidays! The evaluations! Etc etc etc...

[SueEllen]

I can see perm consultant roles becoming a happy medium for many contractors where the work is varied and project-based without the hassle and worry of bench time.

Actually you do have bench time worries.

If you aren't making money for the company particularly if you are in a senior role then they give you X weeks then make you redundant.

This is why loads of smaller consultancies prefer using contractors. Larger ones just expect you to work all over the country and give you tulip if you can't.

[SandyD]

Actually you do have bench time worries.

If you aren't making money for the company particularly if you are in a senior role then they give you X weeks then make you redundant.

This is why loads of smaller consultancies prefer using contractors. Larger ones just expect you to work all over the country and give you tulip if you can't.

Yep WSS ..... when the times are hard and consultancies are not able to sell their projects and services they will be the first to let go of staff.... bench time is a big issue there ..

[Lilibet]

Finally getting off the bench

Hey guys

Finally getting off the bench with a 3 months contract - better rate (compare with my previous) - and significant up skilling on the job!

This is my second freelance contract and they say securing the second contract is the hardest.... they aren't wrong as I've been searching since mid Oct!!!

Funny thing in the last 3 days I've been to 3 interviews with one offer (the I took) and another company happy to match the rate and terms to secure me ! (I went with the first one for the opportunity to up skill plus bigger company name)

Anyways I'm very happy and massively relived so wanted to share this! Good luck to everyone searching stay strong its all about timing it seems!

[BlueSharp]

Hey guys

Finally getting off the bench with a 3 months contract - better rate (compare with my previous) - and significant up skilling on the job!

This is my second freelance contract and they say securing the second contract is the hardest.... they aren't wrong as I've been searching since mid Oct!!!

Funny thing in the last 3 days I've been to 3 interviews with one offer (the I took) and another company happy to match the rate and terms to secure me ! (I went with the first one for the opportunity to up skill plus bigger company name)

Anyways I'm very happy and massively relived so wanted to share this! Good luck to everyone searching stay strong its all about timing it seems!

Congratulations! Don't forget your boom thread in general!

[kaiser78]

I can see perm consultant roles becoming a happy medium for many contractors where the work is varied and project-based without the hassle and worry of bench time.

Yes and chance of being sent anywhere in the country on assignment without choice and doing long hours. Not quite a happy medium and the main reason why I would not take a perm consultant role.

[tranceporter]

In my area (Full stack IT contractor) I do see a fair few contract opportunities, especially around the London area. A bit of trek for me, but it's always an option if I do not secure anything local or within 45 minutes travel radius.

[simes]

I can see perm consultant roles becoming a happy medium for many contractors where the work is varied and project-based without the hassle and worry of bench time.

Possibly but, I see these accommodations as the worst of every world.

Perm salary, being dictated to as to which clients to work for, still having to interview/present to said client for approval, zero control over your life. Am sure there is nothing new or being thought there.

But, that being the case, if all contractors did exactly that, the net increase in tax that HMRC would earn with this IR35 'thrust', might be zero.

Contractor on £150k pays £30k tax per year after all considerations are considered.
Permanent on £75k pays roughly the same.

Brilliant.

(probably nothing new being said here either!)

[SteelyDan]

State of the market?

Sad to say, for me, it's dire at the minute...