State of the Market

[Fraidycat]

This thread is taking a disturbing turn down the 'job' (perm) side!

Begging bowls out until the market picks up, then leg it back into contract

[hungry_hog]

I find when I go for perm interviews (and it doesn't happen often) I have no credibility as a 15 year contractor. Whereas contract interviews pretty much 1 in 2 chance I will get it.
And then if you do get back in you have a 3 months notice.

Never understand how people are able to jump back in and out like sentry duty.

[quackhandle]

This thread is taking a disturbing turn down the 'job' (perm) side!

“The Dark Side is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural.”

qh

[willendure]

Never understand how people are able to jump back in and out like sentry duty.

I have only ever worked as an outside IR35 contractor, my entire career starting in 2001. I did once or twice apply for permie roles, but always the question "I see you've only every been a contractor, are you just applying for a permie role because the market it dead just now?". The only permie roles I have been offered was when working as a contractor somewhere and they asked if I wanted to go perm, on about 1/2 of the money!

[Fraidycat]

FTSE 250 making new 52 week high today, over 19,800.

We need to see it close above 21,000 this year to confirm the uptrend.

A summer sell off is expected in the next six months, so that could ruin things..

[northernladuk]

I have only ever worked as an outside IR35 contractor, my entire career starting in 2001. I did once or twice apply for permie roles, but always the question "I see you've only every been a contractor, are you just applying for a permie role because the market it dead just now?". The only permie roles I have been offered was when working as a contractor somewhere and they asked if I wanted to go perm, on about 1/2 of the money!

Which is a perfect valid question. We've got a new post on here just this morning from someone that went perm in the bad times and is now looking to go back contracting. The percentage of people that were contract, went perm and have gone contracting again must be massive so can't blame the employers for being wary.

We've also got a number of very experienced contractors in cushy perm roles after being asked to go perm by their client. They last two gigs I've worked in the client managers were ex-contractors lured in by a decent offer during hard times. Both are quite happy with the situation due to life changes. Some clients will take the mick with an awful rate but there are plenty of gigs where the contractor holds a lot of sway with the package and can get a very good deal they couldn't in the market.

[sreed]

I've never used Jobserve much but having periodically glanced at it (for FS PM roles) after hearing it come up on the forum, it definitely looks like there's been a noticeable uptick in FS PM roles compared to when I checked a few times last year. A lot of it is 2 days/week hybrid London and the money is decent.

[DodgyAccountant]

I have only ever worked as an outside IR35 contractor, my entire career starting in 2001. I did once or twice apply for permie roles, but always the question "I see you've only every been a contractor, are you just applying for a permie role because the market it dead just now?". The only permie roles I have been offered was when working as a contractor somewhere and they asked if I wanted to go perm, on about 1/2 of the money!

I took a permanent job last year after more than 20 years as a contractor.
Looking at the state of the market, it was probably the right decision.
I work for a large German company and it isn't too bad at all.
Like the way they do things - quite organized - I can see why the Germans are good at manufacturing and war.
I think I managed to get the job as they use old technology and had an urgent requirement.
I said contracting is not so appealing now due to IR35, contracts are shorter and I was looking for more stability.

[tsmith]

I've never used Jobserve much but having periodically glanced at it (for FS PM roles) after hearing it come up on the forum, it definitely looks like there's been a noticeable uptick in FS PM roles compared to when I checked a few times last year. A lot of it is 2 days/week hybrid London and the money is decent.

Jobserve has always been mostly professional services FS, Insurance, Legal etc + public sector in my experience.

Dont know why just seems that way - London roles seem to be ever more finance than ever- maybe everyone else cant afford the rents.

The number of fintechs I see - mostly sounding very similar is astounding.

Especially variations of 'payment processing' - seriously how many 'payment processing' companies are required in this world? Dont get it.

Assuming its because of the below - eg VC's just spraying and praying something will stick...

"Open banking led to a fintech boom"

https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/04/op...ayments-grows/

but then

"Open banking in the UK needs a revolution, says report

In the UK, open banking has seen only limited success"

https://www.thebanker.com/Open-banki...ort-1689318369

[sreed]

Jobserve has always been mostly professional services FS, Insurance, Legal etc + public sector in my experience.

Dont know why just seems that way - London roles seem to be ever more finance than ever.

Glad to know that it's not just me who thought that!

As someone based in the NW, I was kind of hoping that the high-value FS roles would diversify location-wise post-covid but generally speaking, I haven't seen a lot of evidence of that happening yet.