State of the Market

[edison]

Big generalisation but I have to say that there is a bit of truth in this. Quite a few people I know who ended up working in academia are fairly weird/socially awkward individuals.

A lot of them completely lacked social skills and street smarts, which made it impossible for them to find a job after they graduated. Therefore, to avoid being unemployed, they embarked in post graduate degrees, PhD, and ended up staying in that environment for life.

I also know "normal" people who work in universities because they love academia, but they could find employment anywhere they wanted just as easily. I'd say in my experience it's a 50 50 split.

When you mention lacking social skills and street smarts, are you sure you're not confusing academics with people who work in IT?

[KentDogWalker]

Welcome to the club. I have my own stapler and a corporate branded mouse mat. Lovin it.

lol, lucky u

[KentDogWalker]

just received my last payment 2 weeks ago, I've got about 4 months warchest now, been on bench for 1 month already

[sira]

2 months on the bench now. There's been a few green shoots, over the last few weeks but the outlook isn't good. For the last role I interviewed for, they went for someone who was willing to work £10k cheaper than the job was advertised for. Even though I had already cut my expectation by £15k. Some serious undercutting going on in the market.

The first question any agency is asking me these days is "What's your salary expectation?". It's become a race to the bottom, and I should think it will remain like this for a good few years.

May consider the nuclear option of looking overseas soon. Been approached for roles from Luxembourg, Dublin & Abu Dhabi but holding off for now.

[BigDataPro]

...May consider the nuclear option of looking overseas soon. Been approached for roles from Luxembourg, Dublin & Abu Dhabi but holding off for now.

Rates in the UAE have fallen drastically too. Nearly by around 30%-50%. Roles that offered 38K-42K couple of years ago, are being advertised for 18K-24K now. Same skillset requirements.

[sira]

Rates in the UAE have fallen drastically too. Nearly by around 30%-50%. Roles that offered 38K-42K couple of years ago, are being advertised for 18K-24K now. Same skillset requirements.

Yeah, I'm seeing the same. The one I got approached for was paying £60-70k with no pension, relocation allowance or accommodation help. Pre-covid the same role would have been paying around the £90-100k mark with some nice benefits. Although £70k would be good for the current climate, moving half way across the world for that is alot of faff. Who knows, I may change my tune in a month or two!

[BigDataPro]

Yeah, I'm seeing the same. The one I got approached for was paying £60-70k with no pension, relocation allowance or accommodation help. Pre-covid the same role would have been paying around the £90-100k mark with some nice benefits. Although £70k would be good for the current climate, moving half way across the world for that is alot of faff. Who knows, I may change my tune in a month or two!

British people get a much better rate than their Asian/African etc counterparts. To clarify, British in this context is not only just a British passport holder - you know what I mean. Since I have worked there 20 years ago, I would pack my bags if they offer 40K+ AED per month.

[sira]

British people get a much better rate than their Asian/African etc counterparts. To clarify, British in this context is not only just a British passport holder - you know what I mean. Since I have worked there 20 years ago, I would pack my bags if they offer 40K+ AED per month.

UAE economy was already in a downfall pre-covid, so I wouldn't hold out much optimism on rates increasing over there anytime soon.

[perplexed]

There are chancers...

" Applicants must be eligible to work in the specified location

Java 1.8 Developer

Java 1.8 Developer required for bug-fixing and identifying security holes.

Work from home with own device.
Location
Remote-United Kingdom
Industry
IT
Duration
3 months
Start Date
Immediate
Rate
£100 per Day "

[Peoplesoft bloke]

There are chancers...

" Applicants must be eligible to work in the specified location

Java 1.8 Developer

Java 1.8 Developer required for bug-fixing and identifying security holes.

Work from home with own device.
Location
Remote-United Kingdom
Industry
IT
Duration
3 months
Start Date
Immediate
Rate
£100 per Day "

Isn't that just one of those "post this ad so we can get an ICT" ones?