State of the Market

[LondonManc]

How are project managers finding the market at the moment? I have a contract coming up for renewal soon so need to put the feelers out.

Do you have an industry specialisation? I'd imagine there are more PS project management roles available than banking ones at the moment for example.

[aj4u]

Guys how is the market for Test Automation engineers? I have been working in tech for the last 4~5 years.

I've always been permanent, worked for some blue chip companies. Thinking about going contracting, my skills are Test Automation, include python and JS(basic) testing frameworks.


Wonder what kind of rate I could expect and whether the jump to contracting is a good one?

I have an opportunity to transition into a Product Owner role, can't decide to become a PO or go contracting...


Thanks AJ

[SussexSeagull]

Guys how is the market for Test Automation engineers? I have been working in tech for the last 4~5 years.

I've always been permanent, worked for some blue chip companies. Thinking about going contracting, my skills are Test Automation, include python and JS(basic) testing frameworks.


Wonder what kind of rate I could expect and whether the jump to contracting is a good one?

I have an opportunity to transition into a Product Owner role, can't decide to become a PO or go contracting...


Thanks AJ

Not really my field but there does seem to be quite a few job adverts for it.

£300-400 a day?

[kaiser78]

its a crapshoot at the moment because there are so many people looking. it could take days or months.

The PM market has been dire since the summer with no upturn post the holidays at all. A lot of roles are either for Infrastructure PMs with very average rates or digital PMs on much less than average rates (akin to Public Sector). Least available are App Dev PM roles.

Roles do come up but given time of year any upturn is unlikely to be after the new year now.

[Whorty]

What is your area?

Usually PM, sometimes senior BA depending on project. Specialise in BI and Finance systems, so quite niche. Used to develop BI solutions for Finance depts and 20 odd years experience. Also a qualified accountant with an MBA, Prince 2 and MSP ... so with experience and quals I do OK

[Whorty]

What is your area?

BA and PM are two diametrically opposed roles...

Doesn't mean that someone hasn't got the skills and know how to do both well. Or you could pigeon whole yourself and stay on the bench longer I do ok and the companies i work for are pleased with me and i get extended all the time. But hey, what do I know

[Major Hassle]

Doesn't mean that someone hasn't got the skills and know how to do both well. Or you could pigeon whole yourself and stay on the bench longer I do ok and the companies i work for are pleased with me and i get extended all the time. But hey, what do I know

Never met a good BA who would make a credible PM or visa versa, but hey maybe you've broken the mould - or you work for clients who don't know the difference... hey if it works good for you, maybe when I'm stuck for a decent PM position I won't just skip over those BA/PM positions I usually scoff at.

Mind you I would make an awful BA...

[SussexSeagull]

Not testing, at a guess

Shakes fist.

Decided to double down and hang out for a contract.

[ruasonid]

Do you have an industry specialisation? I'd imagine there are more PS project management roles available than banking ones at the moment for example.

Not as such. Focus on strategic projects and recovery across various sectors.

[Bluenose]

Wonder what kind of rate I could expect and whether the jump to contracting is a good one?

Thanks AJ

i would stay perm and get training to leave testing completely as it's a career dead end. if you can script you can have a much better prospect of a future in software automation (not testing) using more complex scripting.