State of the Market

[jamesbrown]

What is this whole thing with 'being in an industry'?

What is this whole thing with pointless generalisations? If you're selling specialist, domain, knowledge rather than, say, IT development skills then, by definition, you're industry bound. The more you specialise, the more bound you tend to become. It creates different risks. As a specialist, you build a deep contact list and you're unlikely to be offshored. Good years are very good, bad years could be quite bad. As a generalist, you're subject to on/offshore competition, but you're more likely to find work outside of a recession. Even within specialisms, the risks vary dramatically. If you're a specialist on a technology stack, you're in a very precarious position, because technology changes quickly and is more easily learned. If you're a specialist through your domain knowledge, you're subject to industry cycles.

[SueEllen]

What is this whole thing with pointless generalisations?

This whole thread is a pointless generalisation, so it's not surprising that someone who isn't industry specialised doesn't understand why others who are doesn't change industries.

[jamesbrown]

This whole thread is a pointless generalisation, so it's not surprising that someone who isn't industry specialised doesn't understand why others who are doesn't change industries.

Sure, it's a pointless set of anecdotes about a completely heterogeneous market. No harm in reasserting that every 100 posts or so

[SussexSeagull]

Most of us would love to jump between industry sectors (I have done so myself) but in a buyers market like we have at the moment agents and clients can pick and choose. Displaying flexibility in working environments and location should be seen as an asset but it seems to be seen as a weakness.

[nomadd]

Most of us would love to jump between industry sectors (I have done so myself) but in a buyers market like we have at the moment agents and clients can pick and choose. Displaying flexibility in working environments and location should be seen as an asset but it seems to be seen as a weakness.

True.

Just read a job spec. that's fallen into my inbox... Investment Banking, and list of requirements as long as your arm - all cutting edge tech. (the technologies I've been using for the last 7 years or so...)

Rate? The same as I was earning in my first Investment Banking contract. In 1992!

I'm beginning to take seriously those years of comments in General about "learning to bleed radiators."

[SussexSeagull]

True.

Just read a job spec. that's fallen into my inbox... Investment Banking, and list of requirements as long as your arm - all cutting edge tech. (the technologies I've been using for the last 7 years or so...)

Rate? The same as I was earning in my first Investment Banking contract. In 1992!

I'm beginning to take seriously those years of comments in General about "learning to bleed radiators."

I should have added there are some industries like IB that would be very hard to pick up on the fly. It's just when you read job adverts for, example, the NHS and they demand industry relevant experience I just think it lazy recruiting.

Then again he who pays the piper.

For all anyone pretending to be captains of industry on here, it sometimes gets forgotten we are part of the larger economy and pay rises in the last fifteen years haven't happened.

Cue someone popping up to tell us how their rate keeps going up.

[SueEllen]

I should have added there are some industries like IB that would be very hard to pick up on the fly. It's just when you read job adverts for, example, the NHS and they demand industry relevant experience I just think it lazy recruiting.

Then again he who pays thez piper.

For all anyone pretending to be captains of industry on here, it sometimes gets forgotten we are part of the larger economy and pay rises in the last fifteen years haven't happened.

Cue someone popping up to tell us how their rate keeps going up.

The NHS is a special case as it relies on people who can put up with tulip plus will pass the screening process.

Government and defence just rely on the fact that if people haven't got the required clearance then the agent won't put them forward. (Organisations and companies in those sectors have been wising up to this.)

Certain other industries manufacturing, telecoms, retail, publishing, etc if the ad or agent says needs relevant experience it is to keep the number of applicants down.

Oh and people's rates tend to go up as they get more experienced however once they are experienced then there rate goes no where...

[MrMarkyMark]

I should have added there are some industries like IB that would be very hard to pick up on the fly. It's just when you read job adverts for, example, the NHS and they demand industry relevant experience I just think it lazy recruiting.

Then again he who pays the piper.

For all anyone pretending to be captains of industry on here, it sometimes gets forgotten we are part of the larger economy and pay rises in the last fifteen years haven't happened.

Cue someone popping up to tell us how their rate keeps going up.

Largely untrue, just historically protectionist.
Once you are invited into an IB cess pool, you will invited to the others

[ShandyDrinker]

Largely untrue, just historically protectionist.
Once you are invited into an IB cess pool, you will invited to the others

Absolutely spot on. This has also been my experience.

Being in an IB is not necessarily about being the best although you do have to know your onions - on reflection it's about an attitude and being able to carry yourself in a particular way.

[nomadd]

This whole thread is a pointless generalisation, so it's not surprising that someone who isn't industry specialised doesn't understand why others who are doesn't change industries.

So it did, in fact, have a point.