High activity on the market?

[Bluenose]

Arn't we all?

Some more specialised than others though.

I would say that assuming a 50 week billable year is optimistic for some specialists hence, the higher rates to reflect the risks of shorter engagements and availability of skillset.

I don't mind taking a haircut but £250/pd cut (40%) is a low-ball bid.

[Graemsay]

I'm in London, and my experience is that the market has been quiet from the start of the year, but there's been an uptick in activity the end of June.

I'm not seeing many senior level Java roles paying more than £450 to £500 per day outside of investment banking in London. I've been doing Android recently, and that tends to attract a lower rate again.

Right now I've got a potential client up in Glasgow who wants to interview me on Thursday. The agent says that he's refusing to do an initial phone interview. Given he's already rejected three candidates, and I'm a bit light on one of the key skills, I'm wondering whether to say no.

As for a hair cut, last year I was down by around 35% (ignoring inflation) from what I was being paid in 2008, and had the costs of living in London on top of that. If you're not part of the magic circle of investment banks then life has been tough for a few years.

[Ketchup]

I know it is not very accurate, but to get a feel for the market, i go on CWJOBS once a week and search for .net contract jobs in london, yesterday there were 116 results, january there were less than half that, it has been steadily increasing throughout the year,