State of the Market

[KentDogWalker]

Hi XXX are you still looking for a role?

I am working with one of the funkiest and vibrant agencies in the UK

They are looking for a Frontend Developer to come in and own projects from the start

The company are offering a hybrid environment, they are based in the heart of Sheffield and are offering a salary of £30 - 40,000 plus other benefits

For a full overview please send me a copy of your CV and a good time to speak

my reply:


wth, do your homework

[KentDogWalker]

followed up with


Tell LYNX to stop spamming me with useless roles

[PerfectStorm]

Hi XXX are you still looking for a role?

I am working with one of the funkiest and vibrant agencies in the UK

The "funky and vibrant" description of anything is usually a warning of "crap money/conditions incoming"

[WTFH]

Since learning my gig was finishing at the end of the year, I've had 4 agents and one consultancy contact me about different roles. My next pitch is later today.

[ladymuck]

I've had a few enquiries here and there. I'm not looking at present anyway but it's not entirely dead.

[edison]

The usual quiet periods of the market either side of xmas or summer holidays never seem to apply to me for some reason. I'm on my 8th contract role since I switched from perm 10 years ago and four were secured in December, the rest were in July/August. Conversely I've often found lean pickings when looking during what theoretically are peak months of say, March -June and Sept-Nov.

I've had three approaches in the last couple of weeks so maybe things are still ticking over as we head into xmas.

[CheeseSlice]

The "funky and vibrant" description of anything is usually a warning of "crap money/conditions incoming"

We need a Job Spec De-coder thread for these.

e.g.

• exciting opportunity = the last contractor left for something better and we're hiring a replacement
• fast moving company = impatient client, or utterly toxic with high staff turnover
• world leading company = probably a global toilet roll manufacturer you've never heard of
• competitive rates = we want the cheapest contractor
• excellent work environment = Standard office. Free coffee and tea, good luck finding a spare mug
• strong attention to detail = client likes to micromanage

[edison]

We need a Job Spec De-coder thread for these.

e.g.

• exciting opportunity = the last contractor left for something better and we're hiring a replacement
• fast moving company = impatient client, or utterly toxic with high staff turnover
• world leading company = probably a global toilet roll manufacturer you've never heard of
• competitive rates = we want the cheapest contractor
• excellent work environment = Standard office. Free coffee and tea, good luck finding a spare mug
• strong attention to detail = client likes to micromanage

I think you've got that pretty nailed down! I'll never look at job ads again in the same way

[SussexSeagull]

I do at times wonder if some contractors are in the same universe as me. I get they might be in more demand than me but time of year or broader economic situation not ever effecting the range of roles on offer or rate? Ok then.

[PerfectStorm]

I do at times wonder if some contractors are in the same universe as me. I get they might be in more demand than me but time of year or broader economic situation not ever effecting the range of roles on offer or rate? Ok then.

I mean, it does a bit, but once you've been rolling for a while, the strength of your CV opens doors that are shut to you at the start of the career.

Much as I apply for roles, the ones I actually get are from agents finding me (details harvested from roles applied for previously) and telling me about them. This happens regularly enough that I don't really have to look as such. I've turned down 6 verbal offers this year and said no to many more that weren't paying market rate or wanted something permielike like office presence.