State of the Market

[Wobblyheed]

Been out of contract since the end of June - never known the market as bad. I'm a tester (Analyst/Lead/Manager/Programme Manager) and been doing it for over 25 years. Done, Finance (N Rock), Public Sector (NHS, HMRC, DWP), Retail (Morrisons and Poundland) and Pharma (Merck, Oxford BioMedica and Genmab). I've had 3 interviews in 3 months - it's dire.

[eek]

Microsoft Dynamics 365 - why is this appearing in every other job post all of a sudden?

Whenever I see a statement about Dynamics - the first question is which part of Dynamics are you talking about because it's a very broad area.

From Finance to resource management through HR and Customer service to Sales and Marketing

[Bluenose]

Been out of contract since the end of June - never known the market as bad. I'm a tester (Analyst/Lead/Manager/Programme Manager) and been doing it for over 25 years. Done, Finance (N Rock), Public Sector (NHS, HMRC, DWP), Retail (Morrisons and Poundland) and Pharma (Merck, Oxford BioMedica and Genmab). I've had 3 interviews in 3 months - it's dire.

It's a question of timing whenever we go through a bear market, testing is one of the last things to pickup.

the pipeline for testing work over the next market cycle is enormous due to the aforementioned SAP/Oracle/Dynamics/Salesforce avalanche but I can't see it warming up for another year.

try and get a EU work permit if you can.

[tsmith]

Been out of contract since the end of June - never known the market as bad. I'm a tester (Analyst/Lead/Manager/Programme Manager) and been doing it for over 25 years. Done, Finance (N Rock), Public Sector (NHS, HMRC, DWP), Retail (Morrisons and Poundland) and Pharma (Merck, Oxford BioMedica and Genmab). I've had 3 interviews in 3 months - it's dire.

Theres quite a lot of commentary now of IT in general become saturated with candidates. All the blowhards on YT blagging about their $400k FANG dev job has attracted many Im sure.

Knew a Barista a couple of years ago - who trained to become a Javascript developer. Now hes has his own Youtube channel teaching development

Also know a tester who got told. With the whole IR35 thing in UK - youre too expensive - theres no point us hiring you - we can get a guy in Portugal for £200 Euro a day

This guy albeit a graduate 600 applications and 6 months to get his first job

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgRTsPLg5pk

The hunters have become the hunted now. The days of recruiters chasing you is over for many. Depending on how in demand your skills are be prepared for hours per day networking

[agentzero]

But the work I put in at school and college in order to get a place at Oxbridge, and the hard work required during the degree course itself was an "investment", one that I hoped would pay out -more- than the work I put in to do it. That's the reason we make investments - to get out more than we put in, otherwise what's the point. It is the case that Oxbridge graduates do better in their careers on average than non-Oxbridge graduates, and that was why I did it.

So I think I am entitled to feel a little disappointed that this hasn't worked out for me in the way it has for most other Oxbridge grads or even non-oxbridge grads, but you're right that I must not have achieved very much since.

You go to a university to learn how to learn. A lot of people don't go to university and learn IT skills at home or while doing a job.
If you want a higher day rate you need to reskill in other areas or change specialism.

[ladymuck]

There seems to be a heck of a lot available if you have Insurance Markets experience.

[tsmith]

There seems to be a heck of a lot available if you have Insurance Markets experience.

Yes Ive seen a fair few of those- IT contracting is like the property market. Theres the macro trends and micro trends. eg Property prices collectively falling but certain locations and certain property types not falling or potentially rising. eg 2 beds because of boomers downsizing from houses they can no longer afford.

1 bed demand up because interests rates mean many now priced out of 2 and 3 beds

From what im seeing it seems Public Sector plus Finance = at least 50% of demand - then 50% spread across the rest.

Certainly London seems more finance centric than before. Is that caused by Open Banking? Im aware of Fintech growth eg

"Financial technology revenues are projected to grow sixfold from $245 billion to $1.5 trillion by 2030, according to a new report released today by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and QED Investors. The fintech sector, which currently holds a 2% share of the $12.5 trillion in global financial services revenue, is estimated to grow up to 7%, of which banking fintechs are expected to constitute almost 25% of all banking valuations worldwide by 2030."

[JustKeepSwimming]

Noticed Public sector (with SC) and insurance popping off. By which I mean more than normal, but it might be normal levels whilst everything else is in the gutter.

Big banks seem to be pretty much dead, even roles being advertised are constantly being put on hold, then relisted, hold again.

[TheDude]

But the work I put in at school and college in order to get a place at Oxbridge, and the hard work required during the degree course itself was an "investment", one that I hoped would pay out -more- than the work I put in to do it. That's the reason we make investments - to get out more than we put in, otherwise what's the point. It is the case that Oxbridge graduates do better in their careers on average than non-Oxbridge graduates, and that was why I did it.

So I think I am entitled to feel a little disappointed that this hasn't worked out for me in the way it has for most other Oxbridge grads or even non-oxbridge grads, but you're right that I must not have achieved very much since.

I wasn't referring to you personally and apologise for any offence however I have worked with many Oxbridge grads who still seem to think they are entitled to something more ten or so years into a career in which they have not really distinguished themselves.

[edison]

There seems to be a heck of a lot available if you have Insurance Markets experience.

I've noticed that too in the last two weeks, especially for BAs and PMs.

I had a spell in insurance last year at the start of a big transformation programme. Seemed really good to begin with whilst the company ramped up IT hiring significantly. Less than a year later a lot of the programme was put on hold or delayed. My experience was that it's quite a cautious conservative industry and getting business change done is a hard slog.