State of the Market

[LondonManc]

in terms of covid, far east is much safer than the UK.

Eh up, Xi Jinping's in.

[Shackattack]

IR35 What's in it for the Tories

I think not abandoning IR35 will be utterly disastrous for this country, at a time when this country now more than ever needs flexible work and less bureaucracy, continuing with this flawed idea and policy would finally prove this governments agenda.

They can throw money at Dildo Harding, (track and trace), DUP, phanton ferry companies and 100's of other failed projects which have lined the pockets of private companies. However if you transfer wealth from ordinary working and middle class the economy will fail and we will all be worse off.

We see it happening now, worst contraction of the economy in the western world, record poverty.

Anyway keep voting Tory.

[ResistanceFighter]

I'm a couple of years older and starting to think about what this contracting lark will be like in my 50s. At least I'm not in software development.

Interesting. Started contracting in my early 20s, now I’m 30 something and still always feel like I’m the youngest contractor on a project though I’m probably not. There has definitely been more of a younger crowd coming in to IT in recent years, probably because they have worked out the pay is pretty good so it’s a good thing to study


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[PlanB]

Interesting. Started contracting in my early 20s, now I’m 30 something and still always feel like I’m the youngest contractor on a project though I’m probably not. There has definitely been more of a younger crowd coming in to IT in recent years, probably because they have worked out the pay is pretty good so it’s a good thing to study


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I've been around long enough to see the peaks and troughs of people entering the industry, there was a boom prior to the millennium as the world turned online, then a massive shake out after 9/11 and another after 2008. After each downturn any who couldn't hack it moved out of IT and the message filtered back to undergraduates picking courses. It is a very unforgiving industry in a down turn and managing your career comes more down to luck than judgement. I expect many of the younger ones entering the industry and contracting over the past few years will shake out as they simply don't have the capital behind them to stick it out.

The uptick in kids wanting to do "safe" degrees such as health care and teaching is telling me we are entering another trough in people entering IT.

[merseygrit]

I've been around long enough to see the peaks and troughs of people entering the industry, there was a boom prior to the millennium as the world turned online, then a massive shake out after 9/11 and another after 2008. After each downturn any who couldn't hack it moved out of IT and the message filtered back to undergraduates picking courses. It is a very unforgiving industry in a down turn and managing your career comes more down to luck than judgement. I expect many of the younger ones entering the industry and contracting over the past few years will shake out as they simply don't have the capital behind them to stick it out.

The uptick in kids wanting to do "safe" degrees such as health care and teaching is telling me we are entering another trough in people entering IT.

I started contracting in 1999. Post 9/11 it was brutal for me, very slim pickings. The specialism I had was also hit by the vendor having financial irregularities. So I had to transition to a new skill set. 2008 wasn't half as bad for me, in fact it was in the right place at the right time and landed my best paying work yet. My latest contract ended at the end of Feb and I'm just starting a new project on Monday - the biggest gap I've had since 2001. I'd had a great role lined up for an ex client, but with COVID etc it was shelved. Interviewed for a number of roles that didn't go anywhere. It's a difficult market at the moment.

[Excursion UK]

I started contracting in 1999. Post 9/11 it was brutal for me, very slim pickings. The specialism I had was also hit by the vendor having financial irregularities. So I had to transition to a new skill set. 2008 wasn't half as bad for me, in fact it was in the right place at the right time and landed my best paying work yet. My latest contract ended at the end of Feb and I'm just starting a new project on Monday - the biggest gap I've had since 2001. I'd had a great role lined up for an ex client, but with COVID etc it was shelved. Interviewed for a number of roles that didn't go anywhere. It's a difficult market at the moment.

Well done Hope it goes well on Monday

[oliverson]

I'm a couple of years older and starting to think about what this contracting lark will be like in my 50s. At least I'm not in software development.

hey, that's me right there!

[coolhandluke]

I'm a couple of years older and starting to think about what this contracting lark will be like in my 50s. At least I'm not in software development.

Being managed by someone born in the year 2000

[Old Greg]

hey, that's me right there!

I remember when I started out contracting in my 30s, seeing contractors in their 50s, thinking I do not want to be doing that then. I'm not quite sure why. I felt that way then and still feel that way now. I don't think it will be harder to find gigs in my line of work. I just don't think I'll have the patience (mainly with permie colleagues) that you need to be a contractor. Perhaps that's daft.

[oliverson]

Being managed by someone born in the year 2000

yeah, taking orders from your son!