Bottom fallen out of the contract market?

[BolshieBastard]

Spoke to a few agents today as the market seems very quiet. A couple said they had no contract roles on the go and said lots of clients were only considering permies right now.

Another said they had so few contract roles recently they had no one specifically as an IT contract specialist (and that's one of a group someone on here works for!).

Hmmmm. Good job I've a big warchest but must admit, its not the news I want to hear

[BlasterBates]

This would also be my perception. Looks bad.

[rob s]

Every time I think that, I end up getting a gig at a higher rate. So, um, yeah, deffo very bad.....

[GB9]

Well its not exactly booming, although there are plenty of roles out there. Just a lot of people too unfortunately. Definitely keeping rates down. After nearly 13 years contracting I had hoped I might not be looking at rates just above where I was when I started, but that's life.

[dmini]

Well, I've had 4 agencies ring me today, which has to be the highest number for a long time. Whether any of them mean anything of course is a different issue, but reasonable rates as well for my field

[BolshieBastard]

Well its not exactly booming, although there are plenty of roles out there. Just a lot of people too unfortunately. Definitely keeping rates down. After nearly 13 years contracting I had hoped I might not be looking at rates just above where I was when I started, but that's life.

Well if I was a BA I'd be able to name my price (almost). There are a tulipload of BA jobs going. But Im not. There arent plenty of roles out there in all specialisms.

Looks like I'll have to get cracking on plan b but I only intend staying in IT for another 4 years max.

Hmmmm....it may be quiet, but are you sure that agents haven't try to push you into the permie role that just came up?

Hmmmm, dya think I couldnt suss that one out if they were trying it? And if they all try and push one towards permie, that would support the theory that there's a dearth of contracts in some specialisms.

Still I did have one agent wanting to submit me for a 400 a day role so Im in.

[snarfblat]

I suppose it depends on what role you are doing.

My phone has been ringing off the hook since about the 2nd week of Jan with work in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, US.

Too bad I can't do a multiplicity and clone myself.

[The Spartan]

I hope it picks up, I don't want to be stuck out here past April

[GB9]

Well if I was a BA I'd be able to name my price (almost). There are a tulipload of BA jobs going. But Im not. There arent plenty of roles out there in all specialisms.

Looks like I'll have to get cracking on plan b but I only intend staying in IT for another 4 years max.



Hmmmm, dya think I couldnt suss that one out if they were trying it? And if they all try and push one towards permie, that would support the theory that there's a dearth of contracts in some specialisms.

Still I did have one agent wanting to submit me for a 400 a day role so Im in.

Have seen a few BA jobs but not paying that well. And as usually happens in this sort of market there is a list of pre-reqs as long as your arm to get in.

Spoke to one agent yesterday who said there are no senior roles around and she is only placing the odd interim to cover long-term sick etc.

Having said that, I am currently submitted for 4 roles, although last week it was 5 and nothing came of any of them. Concern is that rates fall so low that there is no point me looking at the London / South ones any more. A return ticket to London is £260.

[kingcook]

Have seen a few BA jobs but not paying that well. And as usually happens in this sort of market there is a list of pre-reqs as long as your arm to get in.

Spoke to one agent yesterday who said there are no senior roles around and she is only placing the odd interim to cover long-term sick etc.

Having said that, I am currently submitted for 4 roles, although last week it was 5 and nothing came of any of them. Concern is that rates fall so low that there is no point me looking at the London / South ones any more. A return ticket to London is £260.

You must live in the north of Scotland if you're paying that kinda price?!