Benched 4 Weeks now and not a single interview

[gingerjedi]

ive signed on and looking at becoming a minicab by night, market has completely collapsed.

There are too many people doing that already, my old step father does 12 hour shifts and sometimes he comes home with only £35.

He can make a packet on a Saturday night, but it's a bit sad that a 65 year old man should be ferrying drunken youngsters around till 5AM at his age just to make ends meet.

[foxbat3000]

Whats holding up and whats not

Doesn't look good for PM 3rd line network and server support roles still seems to be holding up I'm trying to get as many certificates in that as possible sharepoint server adminstrator could be a good idea. If your in an IT sector that is doing not so bad please post to help others.

[pzz76077]

Doesn't look good for PM 3rd line network and server support roles still seems to be holding up I'm trying to get as many certificates in that as possible sharepoint server adminstrator could be a good idea. If your in an IT sector that is doing not so bad please post to help others.

IT security not too bad.
Mobile telecoms sector holding up.
Non UK roles a better bet.

PZZ

[pmeswani]

IT security not too bad.
Mobile telecoms sector holding up.
Non UK roles a better bet.

PZZ

I'm obviously looking at the wrong job boards then.

[pzz76077]

I'm obviously looking at the wrong job boards then.

Most of the mobile telcos are coming up to a technology refresh and have reasonable financial forecasts - who can do without their mobile these days??

Ecconomic downturn = increase in fraud etc so more security bods required.

All UK Jobswerve roles are aimed at niche players and ICT's so not worth the effort. Europe is a better bet.

PZZ

[pmeswani]

Most of the mobile telcos are coming up to a technology refresh and have reasonable financial forecasts - who can do without their mobile these days??

Ecconomic downturn = increase in fraud etc so more security bods required.

All UK Jobswerve roles are aimed at niche players and ICT's so not worth the effort. Europe is a better bet.

PZZ

To answer the bold bit..... The answer would be parents who are out of work and have teenage daughters.

Now that I have done the generalisation.... the simple answer to that question is simple....consumers are demanding cheaper tarrifs, line rentals, PAYG's and more functionalities from their providers. I doubt that the mobile sector will survive in its current form (I think T-Mobile UK are looking to be bought out?!). Sony (if memory serves me correctly) are having difficulties with their mobile products. I've deliberately targetted these 2 to identify that not everything is as peachiness as one expects.

[pzz76077]

To answer the bold bit..... The answer would be parents who are out of work and have teenage daughters.

Now that I have done the generalisation.... the simple answer to that question is simple....consumers are demanding cheaper tarrifs, line rentals, PAYG's and more functionalities from their providers. I doubt that the mobile sector will survive in its current form (I think T-Mobile UK are looking to be bought out?!). Sony (if memory serves me correctly) are having difficulties with their mobile products. I've deliberately targetted these 2 to identify that not everything is as peachiness as one expects.

Would agree that Sonys business model is not sustainable in light of the volumes and competition.

Being in the trade, Im not aware that any mobile telcos are struggling- just the opposite, though they are going through a transformation that will lead to flat rate fees for data and more competitive circuit switched tarriffs.

PZZ

[RichardCranium]

I can't believe how far rates have dropped - £200 pd plus in London for a PM - which brings down Snr PM rates and Programme Manager rates too

... and still falling it seems.

£120 - £140 per day in London for PMs is getting more common.

Also, some of the roles that have been advertised for a few weeks where they want specialist skills (the FCO ones in MK and the BAA ones), the rates are falling.

I had a "bottom line" rate and any roles below that I ignored. Since I am seeing sod all above that bottom line, I am about to drop that rate for the second time to half what I was on at PreviousCo.

This is getting desperately tulipe.

[Peter Loew]

... and still falling it seems.

£120 - £140 per day in London for PMs is getting more common.

Also, some of the roles that have been advertised for a few weeks where they want specialist skills (the FCO ones in MK and the BAA ones), the rates are falling.

I had a "bottom line" rate and any roles below that I ignored. Since I am seeing sod all above that bottom line, I am about to drop that rate for the second time to half what I was on at PreviousCo.

This is getting desperately tulipe.

Do you think this is partly seasonal as we're in summer time, and partly due to recession?

[SillyMilly]

Do you think this is partly seasonal as we're in summer time, and partly due to recession?

Yes. I feel lucky getting something now and if things pick up over the next 2 months it will be very encouraging.

But if I were a betting type, I'd be looking to mid-September onwards for an improvement in the market.

But don't listen to me, as Turion pointed out, I am silly........