Is the Testing side of the contract market slow?

[dropcliffsnotbombs]

I started to have a look but was then offered an extension for my current contract.

I spoke to a couple of agents who wouldn't consider anyone without ISEB. I've not seen it necessary to take this in the past and has never been an issue but am wondering if it is worth doing now just to get past the agents.

[TheGaffer]

I started to have a look but was then offered an extension for my current contract.

I spoke to a couple of agents who wouldn't consider anyone without ISEB. I've not seen it necessary to take this in the past and has never been an issue but am wondering if it is worth doing now just to get past the agents.

It's well worth taking 2 or 3 days to do the ISEB foundation certificate, IMO. Got lucky myself - the client decided they wanted everyone in their testing department ISEB certified and as I was a key member of my team they sent me too (and paid for the lot!). Think I would have done it myself by now though, if that hadn't happened.

[Mich the Tester]

I started to have a look but was then offered an extension for my current contract.

I spoke to a couple of agents who wouldn't consider anyone without ISEB. I've not seen it necessary to take this in the past and has never been an issue but am wondering if it is worth doing now just to get past the agents.

Do your ISEB foundation exam; it’s not difficult, just read the book and tehn do the exam. If you know about testing you’ll pass. Practitioner level is a different kettle of fish, but worthwhile. Since I’ve had both certificates my CV always seems to go to the top of the pile. I don’t think the certificates are really all that great for proving your competence, but buyers like them, and they help you get contracts.

[dropcliffsnotbombs]

Do your ISEB foundation exam; it’s not difficult, just read the book and tehn do the exam. If you know about testing you’ll pass. Practitioner level is a different kettle of fish, but worthwhile. Since I’ve had both certificates my CV always seems to go to the top of the pile. I don’t think the certificates are really all that great for proving your competence, but buyers like them, and they help you get contracts.

Its one of those things I've been meaning to do and I won't be wasting time/money on doing a course I'll just do the multi-choice test. I don't think t he foundationholds any particular value if you have experience apart from getting through the agencies.

[Mich the Tester]

You’re right; if you have some testing experience then foundation should be a formality, but it’s about thinking as a company director; if that’s what it takes to get the customer’s interest, then do it. Personally I’m not keen on the whole ISEB/ISTQB thing even though I have the practitioner certificate; I think there’s to exploratory or context driven testing and no attention whatsoever to practical work.

However, it gets me in the door, time and time again, and that pays the bills.

Good luck with it (not that you’ll need much luck or brains to get the foundation).

[BolshieBastard]

I started to have a look but was then offered an extension for my current contract.

I spoke to a couple of agents who wouldn't consider anyone without ISEB. I've not seen it necessary to take this in the past and has never been an issue but am wondering if it is worth doing now just to get past the agents.

This was prevelent a few years ago, no ISEB, no interview! The approach is pathetic because it meant agents were submitting contractors with only a year's experience and ISEB for roles they were excluding contractors who had 10 years experience but no ISEB.

To pass the ISEB \ ISTQB exam you need to study the syllabus and its not a cake walk.

[software tester]

This was prevelent a few years ago, no ISEB, no interview! The approach is pathetic because it meant agents were submitting contractors with only a year's experience and ISEB for roles they were excluding contractors who had 10 years experience but no ISEB.

To pass the ISEB \ ISTQB exam you need to study the syllabus and its not a cake walk.

Yes, I remember interviewing for a tester and having an argument with my boss about whether we should insist on ISEB foundation. I won, we didn't and we found a really good candidate without the ISEB foundation. It was our gain as he had been turned down (after second interview) by better paying places. Mind you he failed first time when he took it.