Market Doesnt Look So Bad

[AnthonyQuinn]

Met up with a few mates for a couple of pints. Were at the same client last year before a cull of contractors.

Every single one seemed to have lapped up a nice contract. So, are we a lucky bunch or is the market not as bad as made out to be.

[garyphipps]

I've not worked since before Christmas, so in my opinion you are all lucky b's!!!!

[Not So Wise]

I would say a lucky bunch, only two thirds of people from my last gig (6 months ago) have found a placement (and only handful at same rate or higher)

And even had my predecessor at my current gig sniffing around a few days ago looking for his job back as place he went to terminated early

[EchoSierra]

Hard to tell with Jobserve down! :P

I work in Telco and from a group of 5 at the last client site only 2 have found something else. Telco has been hit particularly hard though with BT cutting rates, and share prices of BT, CPW and others going down. ISAT seem to be doing well but don't "cycle through" a lot of contractors.

[BolshieBastard]

I would say a lucky bunch, only two thirds of people from my last gig (6 months ago) have found a placement (and only handful at same rate or higher)

I'd agree with that. The market is very quiet and my client co has binned two major projects in the last 6 - 8 weeks.

And even had my predecessor at my current gig sniffing around a few days ago looking for his job back as place he went to terminated early

**** me, he was taking the piss! Im surprised he didnt attempt to undercut you (or perhaps he did!).

[ziggy]

Been on the bench for 2+ months and not had one interview.

Had CV go to a number of clients ... but all jobs were withdrawn.

Rates are way down and clients very specific re skills required.

Hoping things will pick up by late April/May.

Based in the north west.

[DocP]

Contract market is very bad. This is wk 4 of bench. Hopefully more activity after Easter.

[chicane]

My next contract is riding on a verbal promise from a previous client.

Have any of you benched folks been in touch with previous ClientCos to see if they've got anything?

[zara_backdog]

My next contract is riding on a verbal promise from a previous client.

Have any of you benched folks been in touch with previous ClientCos to see if they've got anything?

Yeap - most of them are making staff redundent. One place which was not wanted specific skills which I have not got. Role was advertised for 5 weeks with several agencies.

[darmstadt]

Well can't be too bad, have 2 e-mails and 2 calls from people today about the same contract, put forward by only 1 though. Trouble is I probably won't get it as I do 3 days a week on one contract and am just putting together a new deal for some other work. Personally I think there are some problems but a lot of it is in which area people work in. There seem to be a lot of PMs (and that type) looking for work but in my techie/administration/whatever world of mainframes, things ain't too bad (still plenty of COBOL and PL/1 programming contracts being advertised!!!)