market barometer - post if interviewing

[hgllgh]

reading through the posts there is a lot of uncertainty whether or not we are in ,or are about to enter, a downturn/recession. the counter argument is that it is the summer season where clients/agents etc are away. it's not exactly conclusive i know, but a quick post on this thread if you have landed an interview (or even better a gig!) and we should start seeing the frequency of posts go up as the summer season ends. at least it might give us a clue!

[thunderlizard]

Don't forget to put down the name of the client and the manager you're seeing, just to make sure we don't accidentally duplicate.

[TykeMerc]

Turned down 2 interviews this week. Dunno if that's what you were expecting

[jim2406]

started looking on friday
got interview on monday
started tuesday - 7 month contract

midlands, .NET stuff, but i had a bit of an edge in the interview due to work i'd been doing recently in the same industry.

I've had about 15 phonecalls a day since friday, declined 2 interviews.

also managed to keep current contract (new one is only 35h a week) for a few hours a week of work for the reminder of the year, which is pretty sweet.

doesnt seem as busy as last time i was looking but also doesn't seem dead

[scooterscot]

2 jobs. Had one interview last Friday and turned down a job this Moday...

[dang65]

Yep, as posted elsewhere, had CV out for about three days, got interview, got job, been turning agents away since, including a definite interview with very large media company in London.

I've only been contracting for nine years, but I've never known it so good in any of that time. The fact that it's the middle of the Summer holidays and the Credit Crunch adds to the oddness.

[s2budd]

Summer or downturn ?

My money is on Summer.
I'm not looking properly yet because I do not finish until the end of the month.
This however is quite handy as there are not many contract to apply for.

My area is Unix Systsms admin
The week usually goes like this
Monday-Tuesday - no phone calls
Wednesday - 2/3 phone calls
Thurdsay-Friday - 5+ calls

I have noticed that some banks are cutting rates but in my opinion it's a very much a little premature. The contracts are there and the rates are holding up but there are the usual £200 per day or do you do Office admin calls from the usual tele sales type agent.

One call today - EDS I think in Milton Keynes 1st agent - Max of £250-£300
2nd agent in afternoon for same role £400
I have not been put forward as it's not of particular interest to me and the location is pants but it's the usual stuff.

Another looking for AIX Sys Admins in Havant for £300 per day and another agent rang quoting £450.

If the market is still like this mid October then it's a downturn but at the moment it's Summer silly season.

[oracleslave]

I have been doing some recruiting/interviews for my client. Am seeing loads of contractors that have been on the bench for a while and plenty that have no 'rainy day fund' that are now keen to become permie

[pmeswani]

I have been doing some recruiting/interviews for my client. Am seeing loads of contractors that have been on the bench for a while and plenty that have no 'rainy day fund' that are now keen to become permie

After contracting for 9 months, I've decided that it may be worthwhile chucking in the idea of contracting until after the Credit Crunch / Recession is over and going permie.

[expat]

Don't forget to put down the name of the client and the manager you're seeing, just to make sure we don't accidentally duplicate.