State of the Market

[TheDude]

Bit of a kick in the teeth today. I applied for a contract position a few weeks ago that I had to leave last year because I hit the two year engagement limit even though my manager was trying to get an exemption/extension.

My replacement quit/wasn't up to the job so I re-applied, re-interviewed and didn't get it!

To be fair the technical requirements have changed a bit but it was still a massive disappointment.

[Smartie]

I am always polite to the agents TBF. I know they get a hard time from agents and clients but the reality is they are doing us a favour by getting us jobs.

An agent is your best friend. He's the guy who's going to get you the job and get you the extension. If it were easy, we could be doing it.

I know some arrogant twats who think they are the greatest programmer/deveeloper in the world all the agents/companies should be begging them to work with them. I usually avoid these kind of people in all honesty.

Hmm, no.

There are some good ones, like any business.

They are never your best friend, unless they are your actual best friend.

Quite often they're like estate agents.

They are not doing you a favour, ever.

Many don't respond to comms or take calls, particularly if the market is good. We're all busy.

"What rate are you expecting" instead of the rate for this role is X - more commission for meeee.

"Just need two references" - to get more business in.

Etc.

[Fraidycat]

Bit of a kick in the teeth today. I applied for a contract position a few weeks ago that I had to leave last year because I hit the two year engagement limit even though my manager was trying to get an exemption/extension.

My replacement quit/wasn't up to the job so I re-applied, re-interviewed and didn't get it!

Given the state of the market, maybe they got someone a lot cheaper than you. Maybe half your price.

[TheDude]

Given the state of the market, maybe they got someone a lot cheaper than you. Maybe half your price.

Maybe - who knows.

[dsc]

Bit of a kick in the teeth today. I applied for a contract position a few weeks ago that I had to leave last year because I hit the two year engagement limit even though my manager was trying to get an exemption/extension.

My replacement quit/wasn't up to the job so I re-applied, re-interviewed and didn't get it!

To be fair the technical requirements have changed a bit but it was still a massive disappointment.

That is tulipe indeed, perhaps there was someone in the interview process that you didn't particularly "click" with? Typically companies bite off your hand if you've been with them before though, so it does sound very much like a money based decision.

[jamesbrown]

Bit of a kick in the teeth today. I applied for a contract position a few weeks ago that I had to leave last year because I hit the two year engagement limit even though my manager was trying to get an exemption/extension.

My replacement quit/wasn't up to the job so I re-applied, re-interviewed and didn't get it!

To be fair the technical requirements have changed a bit but it was still a massive disappointment.

I wouldn't overthink it, your manager was trying to get an exemption, so they wanted you to stay. Either the requirements changed enough or there was someone cheaper, I really wouldn't look at this as a particular kick in the teeth more than an annoyance because you'd expected a good shot at it. Onwards and upwards.

[SchumiStars]

Amount of people out of work ATM is staggering. LinkedIn is awash with everyone out there. Yes you do hear about 1 person being hired every month but it really is very bad ATM.

Saw a market chart which seems to suggest we are at lower numbers than during COVID. It took ages to get out of that.

Again, I will come back to my original point that there is no single reason for this massive downturn which seems to be across many divisions of the workforce.

The knock on effect is that, there is less tax being paid, less houses being sold with noone moving and generally no innovation or technical creativity.

Yes, that's right. Even Mr Positivity is feeling suicidal ATM.

Also noticed at lot overseas people applying to UK jobs using profiles which suggest that they have either recently moved or working remotely claiming to be in the UK. If it's an outside contract, I can't see it being too much of a problem. But inside and your gonna need an NI number and UK address.

[ladymuck]

Gotta love it when some recruiter messages you on LI with the opener "I found your profile and was really impressed by your experience." and then proceed to describe a role that requires experience which doesn't feature on my profile, inviting me to apply for this great opportunity they think I'd be perfect for.

I blame AI.

[avonleigh]

Hmm, no.

There are some good ones, like any business.

They are never your best friend, unless they are your actual best friend.

Quite often they're like estate agents.

They are not doing you a favour, ever.

Many don't respond to comms or take calls, particularly if the market is good. We're all busy.

"What rate are you expecting" instead of the rate for this role is X - more commission for meeee.

"Just need two references" - to get more business in.

Etc.

Whilst you are correct that agents are not your best friend. They certainly have their favourites. I get contacted and put forward for roles by the same agents over and again. Yet there are a number of agencies who have never contacted me ever. I can be as good a fit for a role as you can be and they will never contact me. Worst case of this is Sandersons. Never had a call from them in the 28 years I have been contracting. No idea why not. So guess I am saying it's always worth trying to build relationships with agents.

[dsc]

[...]Again, I will come back to my original point that there is no single reason for this massive downturn which seems to be across many divisions of the workforce.[...]

Well there is, not even a single one, debt being expensive, private equity trying to squeeze out as much money as they can from everything, uncertainty across the globe, over-hiring during Covid.