State of the Market

[PerfectStorm]

As this thread heads towards 1M views, it proves the saying that "misery loves company".

For anyone struggling to find a contract, or in a dark place mentally, it's fair to say this thread will be of no use whatsoever.

The added burden of COVID isolation will no doubt intensify the sense of fear and worry for those individuals prone to anxiety anyway. And for anyone desperate to find work in isolation without a support network, this is undoubtedly a bad time.

IMO the market is the same as it ever was. Arguably even a boom time for those earning good rates with no travelling expenses.

The market has not collapsed. Demand for quality contractors is still high.

It's true, there's not much reason to use the forum when I'm gainfully employed (on a contractual basis). The jobs are out there, and every bit of work you do to put yourself out there brings you closer to your next one.

[Lance]

State of the Market

It's true, there's not much reason to use the forum when I'm gainfully employed (on a contractual basis). The jobs are out there, and every bit of work you do to put yourself out there brings you closer to your next one.

Indeed. I’ve never been so busy or so in demand. And all of it from previous and current clients.
Not a single agency involved except those that do it for c. 1% just to handle the cash.

[NowPermOutsideUK]

Indeed. I’ve never been so busy or so in demand. And all of it from previous and current clients.
Not a single agency involved except those that do it for c. 1% just to handle the cash.

In that case it would be nice to know which area you specialise in - Not trying to steal your job just trying to get a better sense of where the market is going

As others have pointed out 25K perm and 350 per day inside is hardly amazing is it and if consultancies have loads of people on the bench it does make you wonder where the good news comes from

[Lance]

In that case it would be nice to know which area you specialise in - Not trying to steal your job just trying to get a better sense of where the market is going

As others have pointed out 25K perm and 350 per day inside is hardly amazing is it and if consultancies have loads of people on the bench it does make you wonder where the good news comes from

O365. Cloud. Home working.


All migrations to get there.
And I'm a LOT cheaper than a consultancy.

[GhostofTarbera]

The market has not collapsed. Demand for quality contractors is still high.

The 90% of not quality contractors that have had 30 years continues contracts, but have been out for the last 6 months

Will welcome your comments


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[AndrewK]

As this thread heads towards 1M views, it proves the saying that "misery loves company".

For anyone struggling to find a contract, or in a dark place mentally, it's fair to say this thread will be of no use whatsoever.

The added burden of COVID isolation will no doubt intensify the sense of fear and worry for those individuals prone to anxiety anyway. And for anyone desperate to find work in isolation without a support network, this is undoubtedly a bad time.

IMO the market is the same as it ever was. Arguably even a boom time for those earning good rates with no travelling expenses.

The market has not collapsed. Demand for quality contractors is still high.

"Market is the same" because you have a contract. The gem of anecdotal thinking.
It is not the same and that can be easily verified using any job board or itjobwatch.
There are some opportunities around, but you need to be good and lucky.

[jamesbrown]

"Market is the same" because you have a contract. The gem of anecdotal thinking.
It is not the same and that can be easily verified using any job board or itjobwatch.
There are some opportunities around, but you need to be good and lucky.

Market is the same for me. Same pool of clients, same contracts, same or better rates. Just depends on your skillset. The more you can build a client network and the more you can specialise (not necessary w/ narrow technologies, which can go tits up quickly, rather w/ combinations of skills that are rare), the easier it is to ride out downturns. That said, I do quite a bit of consultancy for gov'ts and the slowdown there will probably come later when all this spending needs to be repaid, so I'm not complacent. Still, make hay while the sun shines. If you're a generalist, then there are lots of you across the world waiting to work.

[jayn200]

"Market is the same" because you have a contract. The gem of anecdotal thinking.
It is not the same and that can be easily verified using any job board or itjobwatch.
There are some opportunities around, but you need to be good and lucky.

Yeah it can be easy to not see how bad it is if you're not looking.

I am in contract as well but not so ignorant to think I won't be sitting on the bench for 3-6+ months when this ends like everyone else.

[cwah]

Market is the same for me. Same pool of clients, same contracts, same or better rates. Just depends on your skillset. The more you can build a client network and the more you can specialise (not necessary w/ narrow technologies, which can go tits up quickly, rather w/ combinations of skills that are rare), the easier it is to ride out downturns. That said, I do quite a bit of consultancy for gov'ts and the slowdown there will probably come later when all this spending needs to be repaid, so I'm not complacent. Still, make hay while the sun shines. If you're a generalist, then there are lots of you across the world waiting to work.

Market is the same for people working with Gov or public sector for sure. I've seen even more contract for public sector during the last 8 months. So much that most of the decent contract in my field are in public sector.

Of course when you got a money printing machine there is no slow down...

[SussexSeagull]

It is quite easy to think the market is fine when you are sitting in a contract. Happened to me in 2012 when apparently the market was awful and I had my highest rate ever.