Bit the bullet, applied for a nearby permie role.

[BolshieBastard]

Gulp! The market has been so carp in my specialism since the turn of the year and frankly, despite what lots of agents have told me, doesnt look like picking up any time soon. All the agents say the same thing, they have never known it so bad and, their perm placements are up while contracts are down.

The agents Im regularly speaking to say they only have the odd one or two contracts or even none at all! Those that sound optomistic have strings attached ie local candidate preferred, carp day rate (sub 200!) or the other end of the country.

The last 18 months contracting have been carp too. OK, I know clients cannot gaurantee extensions. But, when you find out in the first week that the finance director has had his scalpel out so budget cuts means contracts wont be renewed or, enterprise wide politics mean your team is the one selected to be disbanded or, after 3 months n a role, the client's policy is to ask contractors to go permie while they bring in a tulip load of 'bob's' on subsistence rates, you just get bad vibes.

So, unless something comes up soon contract wise, Im going to have to consider permie roles and leave contracting for good.

Made an app for a local permie role a few days ago. For my neck of the world, its a good rate (sorry 'package') and as I really only intend working for another 3 to 5 years, would meet my requirements. Couldnt speak to the recruiter but he finally got back to me today. Had a good chat and he doesnt think my past contracting history would count against me.

So, here we go! Application is in and awaiting feedback but, at the back of my mind I do hope a contract comes up soon! Why the heck would I think like that!?

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Gulp! The market has been so carp in my specialism since the turn of the year and frankly, despite what lots of agents have told me, doesnt look like picking up any time soon. All the agents say the same thing, they have never known it so bad and, their perm placements are up while contracts are down.

The agents Im regularly speaking to say they only have the odd one or two contracts or even none at all! Those that sound optomistic have strings attached ie local candidate preferred, carp day rate (sub 200!) or the other end of the country.

The last 18 months contracting have been carp too. OK, I know clients cannot gaurantee extensions. But, when you find out in the first week that the finance director has had his scalpel out so budget cuts means contracts wont be renewed or, enterprise wide politics mean your team is the one selected to be disbanded or, after 3 months n a role, the client's policy is to ask contractors to go permie while they bring in a tulip load of 'bob's' on subsistence rates, you just get bad vibes.

So, unless something comes up soon contract wise, Im going to have to consider permie roles and leave contracting for good.

Made an app for a local permie role a few days ago. For my neck of the world, its a good rate (sorry 'package') and as I really only intend working for another 3 to 5 years, would meet my requirements. Couldnt speak to the recruiter but he finally got back to me today. Had a good chat and he doesnt think my past contracting history would count against me.

So, here we go! Application is in and awaiting feedback but, at the back of my mind I do hope a contract comes up soon! Why the heck would I think like that!?

That doesn't mean you'll be leaving us does it BB

[eek]

The world is definitely changing partly I think because IT is maturing.

Its one reason why I'm taking some time off and rapidly improving plans b and c as I definitely don't want someone else to be my boss.

[quackhandle]

It's sad to hear but any given warchest can only last a finite amount of time. I've seen my sector pickup in terms of contract roles so still holding out. I still think, whilst IT budgets are put under increasing squeezes companies are still going to need people (ltd companies, sorry nluk!) to come in perform a job for x amount of time, then bugger off again.

Good luck, BB you'll be back.

qh

[Mich the Tester]

Well best of luck. If you can stick 6 months as a permie you might just get the CUK permiedom record.

[BolshieBastard]

That doesn't mean you'll be leaving us does it BB

Not unless I get offered the position.

The world is definitely changing partly I think because IT is maturing.

Its one reason why I'm taking some time off and rapidly improving plans b and c as I definitely don't want someone else to be my boss.

I've looked at a plan b and c which I'd really like to do but, there's just no money in them never mind enough to make them worthwhile. OK, that may mean they are the wrong plan b and c but finding something that works and would bring in a couple of grand a month is a real challenge.

As I said, Im looking to stop working in 4 to 5 years max so, a decent paying permie role would do that. Hell, I'd rather stay contracting and work for 26 weeks in any 52 but then agents and clients say 'why cant you hold down a contract for more than 26 week?' Trying to explain the 'work \ life balance' just goes over their heads.

[SandyD]

One word of advice, if they ask you why do you want to go permie after so many years of contracting, please don’t say its cuz this is on my doorstep

[BolshieBastard]

One word of advice, if they ask you why do you want to go permie after so many years of contracting, please don’t say its cuz this is on my doorstep

LOL! Dont worry, I got that one covered

Still a long way to go though. Although the recruiter was happy with my explanation at the switch, he still has to sell me to them.

I mean just to throw more petrol on the fire, some silly agent phoned last night. Got back to them straight away but through to VM. Phoned again this morning and VM again. I mean what is the point?

[BlasterBates]

LOL! Dont worry, I got that one covered

Still a long way to go though. Although the recruiter was happy with my explanation at the switch, he still has to sell me to them.

I mean just to throw more petrol on the fire, some silly agent phoned last night. Got back to them straight away but through to VM. Phoned again this morning and VM again. I mean what is the point?

Tell me about it...I rarely get through. E-mails only and then they phone you. Had one who asked for my tel nr but she never rang in the end. Probably because I´m in Germany, and it wasn´t worth spending a bit extra with so many CV´s on the desk.

[Old Greg]

Not unless I get offered the position.



I've looked at a plan b and c which I'd really like to do but, there's just no money in them never mind enough to make them worthwhile. OK, that may mean they are the wrong plan b and c but finding something that works and would bring in a couple of grand a month is a real challenge.

As I said, Im looking to stop working in 4 to 5 years max so, a decent paying permie role would do that. Hell, I'd rather stay contracting and work for 26 weeks in any 52 but then agents and clients say 'why cant you hold down a contract for more than 26 week?' Trying to explain the 'work \ life balance' just goes over their heads.

What multiplier of typical daily rate are you looking for for annual salary / 'package'?