Java/J2EE Contractor - Cannot get an interview!

[max]

Really?? That's very generous of you! You're way too expensive for your skills, I'm surprised you haven't yet realised we are not living in the Y2K era anymore.

Java/j2ee will get you £600.

In banking/finance (where I work btw), expect £ 400 tops for a snr developer these days, even new PMs are on £ 500 ffs. Not saying this is fair or anything, just be realistic.

Wow you really are under selling yourself. £400! Get some pride son!

Nothing against Aussies/Kiwis - in fact I've got a lot of time for some,

Thanks! Nothing against you lot either...though some of you have no "get up go!"

[Cowboy Bob]

Personally if I had a CV from a UK contractor and an Aussie contractor with equal skills, I'd go with the UK one. If and when Aus relaxes the rules and lets UK contractors work over there, then maybe I'll change my mind. The one way relationship really gets on my nerves.

[thunderlizard]

Are you getting
(a) no callbacks
or
(b) some callbacks but no interviews?

There's a big difference.

Oh & those 3 reasons you've bullet-pointed sound like any old thing agents would say to get you off the phone quick. Don't take any of them seriously, though they may all be slightly true.

[BarbarianAtTheDoor]

5-6 callbacks a day, no interviews

I'm a Java contractor with 8+ years of J2SE/J2EE experience. I'm exceptional at what I do and only get glowing references from whoever I work with. I often deliver 2-3* the amount expected of me and have clients who would fire permies to have me back.

Yet, I can't get an interview. I have agents calling me out of the blue kissing my ass about how brilliant my CV is (I know it is, kiss-up) and telling me how they're going to spend the rest of the day looking for a contract for me. I never hear from them again.

I don't know what happened to the Java market, but all the potential interviews I've been offered turned out to be duds. I had 5-6 interview offers in the last month (since I've been looking) only to be revoked in the last minute due to budget restrictions.

I know what a liquidity crisis can do (I studied economy at uni), but come on, this is getting ridiculous.

I'm seriously considering a permie role where I could make the equivalent of 450 a day. At least it's an IB and front-office.

It will take 2-3 years for the liquidity crisis to be over, according to my friends actually working on these models.

We are screwed.

[vhadiant]

I reckon if you can get 90K - 95K base that would be equivalent to £600/day rate. Not in pure money term of course but after considering the benefit, bonus & potential career prospect.

[Cowboy Bob]

I'm a Java contractor with 8+ years of J2SE/J2EE experience. I'm exceptional at what I do and only get glowing references from whoever I work with. I often deliver 2-3* the amount expected of me and have clients who would fire permies to have me back.

Cut your CV down to 5 years experience. I'm serious!! Clients can get nervous about hiring contractors who have more experience than anyone else in their company. They need to know that they have at least one permie who has the experience to take you on in an architectural argument. Since decent permies tend to move into contracting themselves at around the 5 year mark, trimming your CV to 5 years can make a difference.

[SomeoneElse]

Cut your CV down to 5 years experience. I'm serious!! Clients can get nervous about hiring contractors who have more experience than anyone else in their company. They need to know that they have at least one permie who has the experience to take you on in an architectural argument. Since decent permies tend to move into contracting themselves at around the 5 year mark, trimming your CV to 5 years can make a difference.

OK, that seals the deal as I've read both your posts in this thread: you have no idea what you're talking about and should not be listened to. It's sad what drugs do to our youth these days.

I'll hire the strongest, smartest person for I can find and afford for the role - as does/did every collegue of mine that I've ever worked with. Reduce your experience to show only 5 years? You're either off your bloody head, completely stoooopid...or work for Tesco's.

[Cowboy Bob]

OK, that seals the deal as I've read both your posts in this thread: you have no idea what you're talking about and should not be listened to. It's sad what drugs do to our youth these days.

I'll hire the strongest, smartest person for I can find and afford for the role - as does/did every collegue of mine that I've ever worked with. Reduce your experience to show only 5 years? You're either off your bloody head, completely stoooopid...or work for Tesco's.

SomeoneElse - Not Worth Listening To
CowboyBob - Contractor Among Contractors

Wonder who has the most experience in this game, and who is the Aussie who got all upset because I insulted his home country?

Now get back to your £12 per hour support monkey contract and leave us more experienced and intelligent contractors alone. OK boy?

[DiscoStu]

Put your handbags away, FFS...

[NotAllThere]

[QUOTE=Cowboy Bob;486286]SomeoneElse - Not Worth Listening To
CowboyBob - Contractor Among Contractors

Wonder who has the most experience in this game...QUOTE]

erm - the game being in this instance "posting at CUK".

SomeoneElse - (there's someone called that on Shout99 - any relation?) - I went through similar to what you are going through a few years ago (different technology). I took the permie shilling until the storm passed.