where has all the work gone ?

[DimPrawn]

Denny you didn't mention IR35. Are you ill?

[vyas]

It does not matter where the jobs have gone in relation to 6 years ago, what matters is that you need a job now.

1. Dig out all old contacts.. call them or send emails... there is no shame in asking if there are any openings in their company

2. seek out companies that need your skillset and cold call them... email their HR with your CV and look to market yourself... ( i would do this for a permie role and not a contract role but thats my preference)

3. Is it your CV??? have you sold yourself well on it ??? if you are in doubt... test it out on a few IT colleagues / old bosses.. get their feedback and do something about it.

4. If your skills are not the most in demand then maybe look at a permie role for starters... you can upgrade yourself on it once you get in...

5. May be its time to be flexible around location... spread your search wider... its better to travel and earn money than be at home with none...

Now I know this sounds very text book like... but you would have atleast tried out and then.. if something comes out of it... who will be laughing then????

think about it... And never undersell yourself... that is a sign of incompetence to most hiring peeps and they walk away.. find out what your market rate is and hover around it... lessen your rate relative to this rate only if you think there will be a competitive edge to yourself

6. seek out smaller businesses that may need your skills.. advertise on local free ads...

[Denny]

Denny you didn't mention IR35. Are you ill?

Yes. I'm sick of IR35.

[unemployed]

thanks for all of your comments guys.

i am looking for a perm role really but would do contracting if a decent rate turned up.

unfortunatly my previous role did not enhance my career prospects at all, so i have had no active directory experience at all, this is what i think is causing me trouble finding work although my cv has active directory experience listed.

was hard to leave my old job untill redundancy as 30k basic plus 10k overtime was the norm some years nearer 50k

sadly it has hit home that my skills are not specialised anymore.

[Churchill]

Don't you just love ranting newbies?

Give me a clue, is that a noun or a verb?

[lukemg]

This is exactly what happened to me, support is dead, outsourcing + latest technology being easy + cheap h/w means it's easier to just replace kit and anyone can do the admin.
All your skills are now worth nothing. Every job is being chased by hundreds who can do it probably just as well = £15/hr. 25/hr - you are dreaming, only people who have been somewhere years and/or have additional skills will get that.
Here are your options:
1. Complete change of career - if you are young enough.
2. Most support people have done semi project work - do Prince2 foundation + practitioner NOW - if will cost a grand, they wont know when you did it (say it was 3 yrs ago if asked). Adjust CV accordingly - you worked on a project = you RAN the project.
3. Continue to flog dead horse - it won't get better and will probably get worse.
HTH
Good Luck.

[Denny]

thanks for all of your comments guys.

i am looking for a perm role really but would do contracting if a decent rate turned up.

unfortunatly my previous role did not enhance my career prospects at all, so i have had no active directory experience at all, this is what i think is causing me trouble finding work although my cv has active directory experience listed.

was hard to leave my old job untill redundancy as 30k basic plus 10k overtime was the norm some years nearer 50k

sadly it has hit home that my skills are not specialised anymore.
pissed me off also that a work collegue who was made redundant same time as me found a contract paying 27ph after 2 weeks and is now on 70k.

i was never a jealous person but i am really pissed of where my life is going "Nowhere" somepeople are just lucky i guess

Just keep looking - you're boat will come in eventually.

[BlasterBates]

If you have no job take what you can, though look for something which enhances your skill set.

You're better with something than nothing.

Don't get too het up about IR35, that's the least of your worries.

[Diestl]

Can you code well?

[Weltchy]

Can you code?

Please change your question to - Can you code well!!!!!