What is Manchester's contract market like?

[TheNewGuy]

Most contractors I know are quite happy about staying in Manchester and I know a couple who have moved from down south finding work without a problem. What's your skillset/experience?

I'm an iOS dev with 4 years total experience doing iOS, which includes 1 year contracting so far.

[northernladyuk]

Plenty of work in the Black Pudding mines...

And the pea wet lakes.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

First gig is always the easiest.

Actually I found it the hardest. 2nd one was tough as was 3rd one. 4th one onwards got much easier. Now on number 10! I'm hoping this is the last one before plan B.... If not I'm going to have to take a fair amount of time off to work up the courage to go back into it.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I'm an iOS dev with 4 years total experience doing iOS, which includes 1 year contracting so far.

There is a decent amount of iOS work around but being an app only developer does restrict you somewhat. If you can do that combined with some Android, ASP.NET web apis and maybe some Azure then you should be ok?

Also 4 years is not a huge amount. The more experience you have the easier it should get, unless you have lots of bench time.

[northernladuk]

Actually I found it the hardest. 2nd one was tough as was 3rd one. 4th one onwards got much easier. Now on number 10!

I mean from the fact you can sit cosy waiting for for the first gig in your employment. 2nd gig is on the clock as you'll be on the bench... So it wouldn't have been a problem in that respect for you

[quackhandle]

Manchester is a bit hit and miss, once you relocate there, expect to contract in London.

Good Luck.

qh

[stek]

And the pea wet lakes.

I miss pea wet, proper gravy and Warbies crumpets.

[SueEllen]

I miss pea wet, proper gravy and Warbies crumpets.

I miss rain...

[Bluenose]

Some mixed opinions here, but mostly stating it's not that great/very competitive.

I'm leaning towards ruling it out now to be honest, it's hard to resist the land of plenty down here in London.

Its pretty awesome to live and work in. Can be a bit patchy for work but Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool also options with Manc. as a base.

[l35kee]

I mean from the fact you can sit cosy waiting for for the first gig in your employment. 2nd gig is on the clock as you'll be on the bench... So it wouldn't have been a problem in that respect for you

I quit then started to look!