State of the Market

[ResistanceFighter]

Got a month to go and verbally been offered an extension. Should I be biting their hand off for it? Without looking at the boards and stuff it feels like a yes

[northernladuk]

Got a month to go and verbally been offered an extension. Should I be biting their hand off for it? Without looking at the boards and stuff it feels like a yes

How should we know? Do you want to stay there? IS the rate OK? Work good? You can only make a decision based on the facts of the case and only you know those.

[swamp]

Got a month to go and verbally been offered an extension. Should I be biting their hand off for it? Without looking at the boards and stuff it feels like a yes

Sign the extension, then you can always give notice if you find a better role.

Remember that even in a good market a new contract can be pulled at (or even after) the last minute.

[avonleigh]

Got a month to go and verbally been offered an extension. Should I be biting their hand off for it? Without looking at the boards and stuff it feels like a yes

Would always take an extension however bad the gig might be, unless you know you can get another role.

[KinooOrKinog]

Got a month to go and verbally been offered an extension. Should I be biting their hand off for it? Without looking at the boards and stuff it feels like a yes

I would. I was out for about six months before I started the contract I'm in. It almost cleaned me out financially & I was crippled with anxiety at times. I'm due to finish this one in five weeks and I'm scared. It's honestly the worst I've found it since I started contracting in 2008. Hang on to it if you can.

[DrewG]

I would. I was out for about six months before I started the contract I'm in. It almost cleaned me out financially & I was crippled with anxiety at times. I'm due to finish this one in five weeks and I'm scared. It's honestly the worst I've found it since I started contracting in 2008. Hang on to it if you can.

What do you do?

[dsc]

I would. I was out for about six months before I started the contract I'm in. It almost cleaned me out financially & I was crippled with anxiety at times. I'm due to finish this one in five weeks and I'm scared. It's honestly the worst I've found it since I started contracting in 2008. Hang on to it if you can.

In that case wouldn't it be better to go perm for 1-2 years and then assess what the market is like? or is perm also dead atm?

[KinooOrKinog]

In that case wouldn't it be better to go perm for 1-2 years and then assess what the market is like? or is perm also dead atm?

Not really. It's not as simple as 'just go perm for a while, problem solved!'. It's also going to be twice as difficult going back to contracting. If I'm going to make the decision to go perm, it's going to have to be for good, so it would be a last resort for me.

[homemurad]

I'm a UX and I can see a very long and dry season for UX contractors. Alot many have switched to perm. For me i need the flexibility for now.
Perhaps global politics can turn things around for all economies not just ours. USA and China meetup is a good sign.

I do get an odd service designer role which looks pertinent to what I have been doing and then there are some SC cleared jobs which feels like the government is keeping the market alive. Found out that SC clearance is not something i can get on my own so will have to wait for a few more months i guess. Problem is that recruiters are now asking why i have been out of work for past 6 months as if they dont know anything about the market.

[JustKeepSwimming]

Problem is that recruiters are now asking why i have been out of work for past 6 months as if they dont know anything about the market.

Just make something up. It's something clients do ask.