market

[GB9]

What size projects do you work on?

Just been chatting with an agent who told me my CV didn't have obvious experience of managing large projects. I pointed him to my last but one role with a team of circa 80 for 18 months and a spend of >£10m. Made me wonder if it is just me that thinks that was quite large or am I just being naive?!?

[eek]

Just been chatting with an agent who told me my CV didn't have obvious experience of managing large projects. I pointed him to my last but one role with a team of circa 80 for 18 months and a spend of >£10m. Made me wonder if it is just me that thinks that was quite large or am I just being naive?!?

Years ago I added a highlights section to the front page of my CV to make things like that obvious.

[GB9]

Years ago I added a highlights section to the front page of my CV to make things like that obvious.

Yes, got key successes, skills and qualifications on a front sheet. More delivery focussed i.e. what I achieved rather than budget size though.

[Bluenose]

Just been chatting with an agent who told me my CV didn't have obvious experience of managing large projects. I pointed him to my last but one role with a team of circa 80 for 18 months and a spend of >£10m. Made me wonder if it is just me that thinks that was quite large or am I just being naive?!?

Agent's typically do not know the difference between a project and a programme, they are the same thing and that is the problem.

A large change programme will be around £100m per year so, to an agent £100m per year is also large project, unless there is property involved this type of spend is highly unusual on a single project.

[BolshieBastard]

Just been chatting with an agent who told me my CV didn't have obvious experience of managing large projects. I pointed him to my last but one role with a team of circa 80 for 18 months and a spend of >£10m. Made me wonder if it is just me that thinks that was quite large or am I just being naive?!?

It is depressing that quilts such as this are handling your application, isnt it? The vast majority of them have absolutely no fracking idea.

Sometimes I feel like reaching down the phone, grabbing their necks and squeezing ever so hard!

[GB9]

It is depressing that quilts such as this are handling your application, isnt it? The vast majority of them have absolutely no fracking idea.

Sometimes I feel like reaching down the phone, grabbing their necks and squeezing ever so hard!

Reading some of your other posts I think we are in a similar boat. I had hoped my last but one contract would act as a step upwards, but in a way it seems to have hindered rather than anything else. Adjusting my expectations but has taken a couple of weeks to do so.

[Andy Hallett]

Agent's typically do not know the difference between a project and a programme, they are the same thing and that is the problem.

A large change programme will be around £100m per year so, to an agent £100m per year is also large project, unless there is property involved this type of spend is highly unusual on a single project.

You are looking at this in a very 'glass half empty way'. Take the time to explain and sell what you can do for the client, and I reckon most agents will do the same on your behalf.

[Bluenose]

You are looking at this in a very 'glass half empty way'. Take the time to explain and sell what you can do for the client, and I reckon most agents will do the same on your behalf.

I believe the OP would have more success trying to teach astro physics to amoebae.

Good agents are one in a hundred, most will scan your CV, see the "£10m" figure and think you are unsuitable for the role based on pounds and pence when the chances are most programme managers are not actually "real" programme managers but, they will get the nod as the title is on their CV.

I can see how is frustrating to senior project managers.

[GB9]

You are looking at this in a very 'glass half empty way'. Take the time to explain and sell what you can do for the client, and I reckon most agents will do the same on your behalf.

Up against the dreaded rate card in many instances unfortunately, especially with the like of the government owned banks. Discussed one with an agent this morning. I am a pretty good match for it, however, its at 65% of my previous rate and 12% less than the same organisation paid me in 2006, despite me having 7 years additional experience and the skill set they want. No problem with the agent himself who seemed like a good bloke and is putting me forward at my requested rate, however, he did say it may be rejected out of hand simply because it doesn't adhere to the rate card.

Hence the question, are good people dropping their rates to meet the rate cards or are these clients getting the poorer candidates?

[eek]

Hence the question, are good people dropping their rates to meet the rate cards or are these clients getting the poorer candidates?

My guess would be that there are times when they get decent candidates and other times when they only get the really tulip ones.