State of the Market

[SussexSeagull]

You've just described a DevOps developer/tester.

I would expect it to be easier for a developer to learn testing and network skills (for example) than a manual tester or network engineer to learn coding (and development skills to go with it) but not hugely difficult for those with the aptitude.

It is certainly not impossible a manual tester contractor could teach themselves automated testing (I am having a go at it myself) but they would then have to find a client who would take them on with no commercial experience or lie and run the risk of being found out.

A lot of developers don't make good functional testers.

Besides which, I would have thought it one of the easier things to outsource and be aren't that brilliant.

[LondonManc]

I find there are times when it is essential to ask what would Suity do...

And the answer is go Permie...

Either that or boot up MS Access

[Big Dawg]

I been off since July - I have had a number of interviews that had dragged on... only to be told that I was pipped at the finishing line.

It has definitely gone quiet now and I do not expect to get anything now until Jan.

BTW - my expertise Banking IT BA / InfoSec with focus on the DLP and IAM side.

Good luck to all those who searching for new roles.

[SussexSeagull]

Funnily enough I have had a couple of phone calls this week. One with an actual contract and one with some coming up (in fairness I don't think he was fishing for leads). Might be a final wag of the tail before Christmas starts in a couple of days.

Probably getting a bit late for me as I have a second interview for a permanent job coming up.

[MrMarkyMark]

Funnily enough I have had a couple of phone calls this week. One with an actual contract and one with some coming up (in fairness I don't think he was fishing for leads). Might be a final wag of the tail before Christmas starts in a couple of days.

Probably getting a bit late for me as I have a second interview for a permanent job coming up.

Shame its a bit late, good luck with it all though

[SussexSeagull]

Shame its a bit late, good luck with it all though

We shall see. My concern is that even if I get something this isn't a short term blip and I have this same problem in 6 to 12 months.

[LondonManc]

Funnily enough I have had a couple of phone calls this week. One with an actual contract and one with some coming up (in fairness I don't think he was fishing for leads). Might be a final wag of the tail before Christmas starts in a couple of days.

Probably getting a bit late for me as I have a second interview for a permanent job coming up.

Could be the clever ones with 2017 budget approved who want to get the best guys first.

[LondonManc]

We shall see. My concern is that even if I get something this isn't a short term blip and I have this same problem in 6 to 12 months.

Isn't that contracting in general though? There's always some lull somewhere.

[SueEllen]

Could be the clever ones with 2017 budget approved who want to get the best guys first.

I've had roles that have interviewed me in November/December for a December/January start. With the December start they want you on-site before Xmas then basically give you a long Christmas break to ensure they have your skills for their project.

[SussexSeagull]

Isn't that contracting in general though? There's always some lull somewhere.

I am coming to the conclusion that for my skill set (and this may be different for others) a combination of offshoring and market saturation caused by a lot of Visas being given out a few years back for people who now have leave to remain and a lot of ex-permanent people having a go has killed the market.

It is going to take a painful adjustment to change that.