How's the testing market?

[Mich the Tester]

I think PZZZ is a developer who doesn`t like testers because they find his bad code

permie

and they probably earn more than he does

[HeadOfTesting]

For what it's worth I agree with these SuperZ's sentiments.

I think there's a good future for testing in spite of the offshoring trend and I hope that was reflected in my posts above.

I also know very good testers who are often paid much more than their counterparts in development and it's definitely true that demand for testers is cyclical - I've said this on various threads. Unfortunately it's also highly bimodal so if you get benched in bad market conditions it's incredibly hard to get back in in a reasonable time frame.

Clearly roles like 'Head of Testing' are typically perm and far fewer in number than more junior roles and the rates reflect the increased probability of bench time. That said I've been surprised both at how price-insensitive the senior interim management market is and how there is often a willingness to alter the role to increase its appeal to the candidate - you would think that would not happen outside of permiedom. Of course price is irrelevant when there are simply no roles out there and to be fair I have looked at programme-level roles also; it's not like I've been totally inflexible. Realistically my best hope is to be head-hunted by a former colleague which is how I've got most of my previous roles anyway.

For my own part I've got the best part of 20 years worth of living costs in the warchest - or more if I move back to my parents which I hope to avoid because I've just turned 33 and haven't lived there since I was 18). I've been benched for 6 months and have actively looked for 2 of those. I'm undergoing medical treatment which has ruled me out for 2 or 3 months and after that I'll probably be focusing solely on plan b as I've achieved everything I wanted to achieve in contract testing. That said I suppose you should never say never...

[HeadOfTesting]

It will be interesting to see what happens in the market once the financial climate improves......which could start as soon as next month, if the recession really is over.

No chance imo - this is going to be the ultimate double-dipper.

[Mich the Tester]

No chance imo - this is going to be the ultimate double-dipper.

Hmmm, we'll see about that. I think however that a lot of companies have delayed big investments for the time being; they can't delay those investments for ever and before long two things are going to happen;

- replacement of aging systems wll get underway
- companies will start struggling with the cheaply built apps they're building and running now

This will be good news for testers; the rollercoaster of testing will shoot upwards again, rates will go up as the supply dries up quickly, and we'll all have a chance to replenish our warchests.

[pzz76077]

Hmmm, we'll see about that. I think however that a lot of companies have delayed big investments for the time being; they can't delay those investments for ever and before long two things are going to happen;

- replacement of aging systems wll get underway
- companies will start struggling with the cheaply built apps they're building and running now

This will be good news for testers; the rollercoaster of testing will shoot upwards again, rates will go up as the supply dries up quickly, and we'll all have a chance to replenish our warchests.

The main problem that most companies are finding is that getting finance for projects on favorable terms is very difficult at the moment & with working capital thin on the ground, they will always go for the cheapest option that bring in the short term benefits- offshoring etc.

PZZ

[Mich the Tester]

The main problem that most companies are finding is that getting finance for projects on favorable terms is very difficult at the moment & with working capital thin on the ground, they will always go for the cheapest option that bring in the short term benefits- offshoring etc.

PZZ

In the longer term this is a good thing for contractors; all the cheap rubbish they build now will need lots of maintenance and replacement.

[SillyMilly]

if I move back to my parents which I hope to avoid because I've just turned 33 and haven't lived there since I was 18).

Your poor mum .................... just when she'd got the house tidy...........

[HeadOfTesting]

on the contrary I have OCD when it comes to keeping things clean and tidy...

[expat]

In the longer term this is a good thing for contractors; all the cheap rubbish they build now will need lots of maintenance and replacement.

I'm not so sanguine: I think it'll cry out for it but not get it.

[HeadOfTesting]

I'm not so sanguine: I think it'll cry out for it but not get it.

I agree - there's a lot of pride invested in the decision to offshore. It takes guts for the managers to hold their hands up and say that remedial action will be required.