Are there any jobs out there?

**robbie274** · 4 February 2009, 10:57

I've had the same problem, (Senior Java Developer, 10 yrs). Mid Jan I had lots of calls. Each pimp said they would be putting me forward. There wasn't even a hint of fishing from them, so I was pleased and confident. Each one promised to email me the full details etc, and the didn't. (Yes my email does work and is correct on the CV)

I can only guess that if they did put me forward then it was either a case of not being seen (too many CV's) or better competition. But, I am surprised out of about 6 of them I should of at least had an interview.

Now I'm getting the '2 references' calls again from Huxley (sorry Hoaxley).

It may well be dead now until April. As for test managers, well I think in the food chain, you ner the bottom, as the Project Managers, come first, followed by BA's then developers, then Test Managers, then testers. So get behing me.. I was here first

**suityou01** · 4 February 2009, 11:12

Originally posted by Belle View Post

I've got a great CV (Test Manager) and have had quite a lot of interest from agencies, but nothing has come from any of the phonecalls. Has the market for contract Test Managers totally dried up or do I just need to work harder? Agencies who contact me about jobs, say they are going to put me forward for interviews but then I never hear back from them

. Is this usual? Or can I take it that the jobs never existed?

Just wondering the same thing myself. Cracking CV - never had a problem with it in the past (12 years solid development experience). A brief glimmer in the 2nd week of Jan, then nothing. I get the occasional phishing call, and not much else. Been out since end of November, and had several financial body blows - including hefty garage bills. This has eaten into my "war chest" much more than I would have wanted to. I think I can hang on by fingertips until April, but not much more tbh.

Thought my bacon had been saved when I have a first interview, entrance exams, second interview and contract offer. Been waiting ever since for the contract to turn up. I have chased the pimp, but its always "domani".

Really tough at the minute. I notice myself getting a bit snappy which is not like me. Wife is heavily pregnant with the third and I feel a bit trapped tbh.

Seriously considering going back to perm work. Would absolutely hate to, but needs must. The problem with that is I've been benched for months and any future permy employer would have the "you'll be off as soon as a contract comes along" worry so I'm really not that marketable to the perm roles.

God I'm even depressing myself. Don't worry peeps. April is around the corner, with new budgets so they'll start recruiting mid March or maybe even sooner.

**ShowMeTheMoney** · 4 February 2009, 11:14

Belle, I am in exactly the same boat as you. I'm a Test Manager as well and finished my last gig at the end of Nov. I've been contracting for over 5 years and I havent been a out of contract for longer than a week.
Same as you, I was getting put forward (or so I'm told) for lots of positions but not even a sniff of an interview let alone a contract. I dont even hear back from any of the pimps. I've even noticed the calls and adverts for Test Managers have slowed allot of late.

I'm "Jobserved" out at this stage, have a couple of leads from some old colleagues so hope something comes from that. Its going to be a painful year

**robbie274** · 4 February 2009, 11:19

Wow, and I thought I was depressed, your story isn't great either, sorry.

Whats with the exam things? and second interviews for contract roles? The worst I've had for contract roles is a 2 hour technical interview (face-to-face).

**AZZIK** · 4 February 2009, 11:41

Originally posted by Belle View Post

I've got a great CV (Test Manager) and have had quite a lot of interest from agencies, but nothing has come from any of the phonecalls. Has the market for contract Test Managers totally dried up or do I just need to work harder? Agencies who contact me about jobs, say they are going to put me forward for interviews but then I never hear back from them

. Is this usual? Or can I take it that the jobs never existed?

Can't be that great then

**deckster** · 4 February 2009, 11:59

Speaking personally, January was a washout. No idea why, but all the agents seemed to have vanished off the face of the planet.

February, what little of it we've had so far, seems to be entirely different. The phone hasn't stopped ringing this week, I've been put forward for six roles in the last three days alone and have two interviews lined up. I would however note that both of these interviews are for jobs that I applied for at the tail end of last year for which the roles were (allegedly) put on hold. Maybe, just maybe, things are picking up...?

**Sausage Surprise** · 4 February 2009, 12:18

Same boat as the OP but fortunately just been extended to end of April. I must have applied for over 100 jobs, got put forward on about 6 or 7 but not one interview. Never had this in the past - usually 10-20 jobs, a dozen phone calls from agents and 2 to 3 interviews lined up in a week.

Hopefully things will pick up in April.

**norrahe** · 4 February 2009, 12:29

Have had a few interviews waiting on outcome, the market is drying up again. I don't think a lot of companies are going to do anything until May at least, a lot of people are putting projects on hold until they know where the company stands financially.

8 months on the bench and OH has just been made redundant.

Couldn't get any better.

**DocP** · 4 February 2009, 12:53

Dead - almost

Same here. I've had a few bites, but as yet nothing has come of it. At the moment, getting any job is difficult.

I've been in the running for a perm role. Have done 3 interviews with them. I'd rather do a decent contract, but the old warchest won't last forever.

Are there any jobs out there?