Is this time worse than before

[AlfredJPruffock]

The economy is fine.

Unfortunately there is evidence of a conspiracy created by IT Recruitment Agents to give the impression that times are tough with a view to marking down your rates and increasing their margins.

As I speak the culprits are being investigated by the CIA.

Dont believe the hype - demand more - or walk.

My latest renewal I asked and recieved a 10 per cent increase - bringing my daily rate to 5.50

[DodgyAgent]

That's bull. The economy defines our success. Obviously being good helps, but if there are no projects even a good contractor will be benched in bad times.

Stan, hope you've got a decent rainy day fund.

It is not Bull at all, though maybe not 90/10. There will be fewer interviews and clients will be able to pick and choose the better contractors. Also your past relationships and past "quality of work" will play a large part in determining whether past clients will take you back.

So if you have p***ed any companies off by not turning up for interviews, playing clients off against each other or walking out on contracts then the market may well catch up on you.

Someone like you Turion with your confrontational attitude can in particular look forward to a long bench time.

[DodgyAgent]

The economy is fine.

Unfortunately there is evidence of a conspiracy created by IT Recruitment Agents to give the impression that times are tough with a view to marking down your rates and increasing their margins.

As I speak the culprits are being investigated by the CIA.

Dont believe the hype - demand more - or walk.

My latest renewal I asked and recieved a 10 per cent increase - bringing my daily rate to 5.50

You overestimate the power of recruitment agencies, so stick to poetry.

[BrilloPad]

You overestimate the power of recruitment agencies, so stick to poetry.

But they are salespeople who sound like they know what they are on about. We are spotty geeks. Its not much of a contest.......

[DodgyAgent]

But they are salespeople who sound like they know what they are on about. We are spotty geeks. Its not much of a contest.......

Have you tried Clearasil Brillo?

[NickNick]

I think Feb/March will be the telling time.
I have managed every year to find work Nov/Dec, but I wouldn't hold much hope this year, that's why I am staying where I am. They rates seemed to have plumetted, telling a story of Supply/Demand, too much Supply no demand.

Hmm, I'm finding the opposite, in that rates are up on previous years for my skillset.

[BrilloPad]

Have you tried Clearasil Brillo?

luckily ageing 30 years has done the trick. it has not improved my business skills much though....

[expat]

It is not Bull at all, though maybe not 90/10. There will be fewer interviews and clients will be able to pick and choose the better contractors. Also your past relationships and past "quality of work" will play a large part in determining whether past clients will take you back.

So if you have p***ed any companies off by not turning up for interviews, playing clients off against each other or walking out on contracts then the market may well catch up on you.

Someone like you Turion with your confrontational attitude can in particular look forward to a long bench time.

Say, you wouldn't be secretly enjoying some of this, would you?

[DodgyAgent]

Say, you wouldn't be secretly enjoying some of this, would you?

of course not expat.. gloating is for losers

[minestrone]

2001-2003 was seriously bad for IT, if you want to take a slice down technology it was way way worse than this. I remember not seeing jobs posted for weeks and weeks in Scotland and know loads of folk who just packed it in.

As always if your skills are good and look the part you are always fist in line. First think I would do if I was benched would be a complete revamp of my CV ( which is pretty good anyway ) and get measured for a new interview suit.