State of the Market

[kryten22uk]

I think we all know that they go hand by hand. The only difference job cuts have to be announced. It is cost saving, and contractors are cost too. Every single time you have redundancies there is hiring freeze (including contractors) in place, contractors are not getting their extensions etc.

I would counter that with my experience being that sometimes a recruitment freeze is actually a boost to contract work. The company cannot increase headcount, but contractors don't contribute to headcount, and certain things still need to be done.

Having said that, there is also an observable correlation between job cuts and shelving large projects (hence reduction in contract work).

So either way I guess. Depends on the individual client circumstances.

[MyUserName]

Not a problem in the sector I operate in. Chronic shortage of my type of skill.

What is it you do?

[Yorkie62]

What is it you do?

INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Consultant. Specialising in MBSE.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Contractor UK Forum mobile app

[BlokeDownThePub]

re.: very low workload for the most part, although the current role is by far the worst. I took the role in good faith, I have repeatedly asked for more work, I am reluctant to search another role

They're not sending you home like on a zero hours contract, you're in the office billing them for sitting on your butt?

Be a perfectionist, it's rare to have that luxury. I know I've let things go that could have done with a polish but there wasn't time and another urgent thing had come in. I know it's easier for a dev (PHBs can't tell what you're programming, just that your hands are moving fast) but use the time to learn something, at least you'll look busy.

Maybe there's a reason for keeping you around as a sort of fire brigade? Do they suffer from sudden crises?

[fiisch]

They're not sending you home like on a zero hours contract, you're in the office billing them for sitting on your butt?

Be a perfectionist, it's rare to have that luxury. I know I've let things go that could have done with a polish but there wasn't time and another urgent thing had come in. I know it's easier for a dev (PHBs can't tell what you're programming, just that your hands are moving fast) but use the time to learn something, at least you'll look busy.

Maybe there's a reason for keeping you around as a sort of fire brigade? Do they suffer from sudden crises?

No, quite the reverse. I think it's more that with the takeover people are more concerned with their own futures than in what to do with a contractor. The responsibility for me will move to managers who have yet to sit down and look at the situation - once they do, I suspect I'm gone.

But yes, I have next to no work. I've had the odd bit of documentation work to do, but I would say since turn of the year I've averaged about 2 hours of work per week - utterly soul destroying.

I am contacting every pimp I've spoken to in the last 6-9 months - sadly, I've heard the same thing x3 already: "contract market is very quiet at the moment". I'm not buying that - just seems every one I speak to is keen to push me towards a perm role.

[hungry_hog]

No, quite the reverse. I think it's more that with the takeover people are more concerned with their own futures than in what to do with a contractor. The responsibility for me will move to managers who have yet to sit down and look at the situation - once they do, I suspect I'm gone.

But yes, I have next to no work. I've had the odd bit of documentation work to do, but I would say since turn of the year I've averaged about 2 hours of work per week - utterly soul destroying.

I am contacting every pimp I've spoken to in the last 6-9 months - sadly, I've heard the same thing x3 already: "contract market is very quiet at the moment". I'm not buying that - just seems every one I speak to is keen to push me towards a perm role.

I'm not sure what sector you are in, but I think it's quiet, and I'm not sure why you would think otherwise

Well qualified people I know that have been looking for last 6 months or so have been struggling.
I have had more people ask me about roles than ever before. "hey not spoken for a while...blah blah.. btw any roles going"

And on LinkedIn i am seeing a lot of "available for hire" statuses

The clues are there!

[MyUserName]

I'm not sure what sector you are in, but I think it's quiet, and I'm not sure why you would think otherwise

Well qualified people I know that have been looking for last 6 months or so have been struggling.
I have had more people ask me about roles than ever before. "hey not spoken for a while...blah blah.. btw any roles going"

And on LinkedIn i am seeing a lot of "available for hire" statuses

The clues are there!

Ironically where I am we are struggling to find people to hire!

[simes]

Ironically where I am we are struggling to find people to hire!

And, are you going to tell us where you are...?

[northernladuk]

And, are you going to tell us where you are...?

The Outer Hebrides

[simes]

What I was thinking...