Choosing your Sector

**Not So Wise** · 22 July 2009, 10:04

Look at top rates, contract opportunities and long term outlook in each sector. If all roughly the same, then be in all 3

If one is vastly better than the rest, well then choice is obvious which to specialise in (though never hurts to have a fall back)

**swamp** · 22 July 2009, 10:45

Sector means very little on the ground but it can help you get other gigs so variety is good.

Public sector is dull as ditchwater but cushy and you may get security clearance.

Pharma may be fairly recession proof.

Retail I've heard can be a bit of a shambles. But then so can public sector, and probably pharma too.

HTH

**pzz76077** · 22 July 2009, 10:48

Id say that sectors mean nothing these days- unless its a sector that actually has contracts at a reasonable rate.

I cant say that Ive ever heard of anyone turning down a lucrative contract because its in the wrong sector. That would be crazy especially given the state of the market currently.

PZZ

**Menelaus** · 22 July 2009, 10:51

I'm currently expanding beyond my existing field into two new fields at once (part of my http://anonymousopinion.com/media/us...le-wall-st.jpg plan) and it's tough going, I'm afraid.

**pmeswani** · 22 July 2009, 11:16

Originally posted by portseven View Post

Looking for some collective CUK wisdom here

Currently in a retail gig that's coming to an end, and have a few offers on the table

One in retail sector again, one in public sector, and another in pharmaceuticals

out of the 3 have only done retail, all the rates are the same and location the same sort of commute.

Whats peoples feeling about jumping sector? Do you tend to stick to a sector, or be a tart and get about a bit? Is it career damaging to have wide experience or specialist?

What's the CUK opinion? On the plus side, I could go for the Pharma gig and get cheap Viagra!

My career has been in the retail computing, Blue Chip, Reseller space, Public Sector, Outsourcing and Retail Banking (in that order). It's good to have variety on your CV, but at the same time, if you are able to capitalise on a given sector, then go for it. But, as the saying goes, variety is the spice of life.

**Fred Bloggs** · 22 July 2009, 13:44

Originally posted by swamp View Post

Pharma may be fairly recession proof.

It's imploded compared to 3 to 5 years ago when nearly everybody I knew was working in pharma.

**mace** · 22 July 2009, 14:00

What's the UK good at?

Originally posted by Fred Bloggs View Post

It's imploded compared to 3 to 5 years ago when nearly everybody I knew was working in pharma.

Financial services mainly. Out of your list, pharmaceutical would be 1 of our other strengths. Public sector's likely to be severely cut back in next few years. Retail will lag the pickup from the trough.

**Scary** · 22 July 2009, 14:18

The reality is probably:
Retail sector - some database based application to manage inventory
Public sector - some database based application to manage inventory
Pharma - some database based application to manage inventory

My prejudice when I hear it is:
Retail sector - something to do with Tesco, makes me think of shelf stacking
Public sector - more time pushing paper than coding
Pharma - hardcore number crunching, doing the maths to enable genetically modified hamsters the size of elephants.

**pmeswani** · 22 July 2009, 15:16

Originally posted by Scary View Post

The reality is probably:
Retail sector - some database based application to manage inventory
Public sector - some database based application to manage inventory
Pharma - some database based application to manage inventory

My prejudice when I hear it is:
Retail sector - something to do with Tesco, makes me think of shelf stacking
Public sector - more time pushing paper than coding
Pharma - hardcore number crunching, doing the maths to enable genetically modified hamsters the size of elephants.

A bit narrow minded opinion here. Remind me.. why are you a contractor?

Choosing your Sector