When do you think the contract market will pick up again? Jan? Feb? (2017)

[Wilmslow]

Thanks and congrats on your new role! I hope it goes well.

Nice to see also someone can write a post with relevant and useful info

Hello Churchill

[ECommerceConsultant]

THREAD SUMMARY:
so basically it is always a bad time to find a new contract...that seems to be the overall view of everyone on this thread.
So I guess none of you are working, or you've been in the same contracts for 10 years or more when Tony Blair was in charge?

[Whorty]

maybe I'm too expensive hmmm. I did get a request direct from a client, what my day rate is. I told them and never heard from them again, even though I wrote to ask if I could still be of assistance. I know 100% that I'm in the average of day rates for my skills and experience...
especially for London assignments where I have to deal with extreme-commuting and the associated costs, so I wouldn't want to drop my day rate...

There is a lot of pressure on rates at the moment, and lots of contractors out there who will take any offer. The good roles will come up, but if the coffers start to get depleted it could be worth taking a lower rate to get back into the market, then continue looking for a better rate/role.

I've hired 7 contractors over the past month or so, and the purse string holders at clientco have been very tight on day rates I can play with. So much so that 2 contractors have already moved on to better roles. It risks my projects, I raise these risks, but clientco are prepared to run that risk. It's that kind of market i'm afraid.

[OwlHoot]

THREAD SUMMARY:
so basically it is always a bad time to find a new contract...that seems to be the overall view of everyone on this thread.
So I guess none of you are working, or you've been in the same contracts for 10 years or more when Tony Blair was in charge?

Not a flippant post this time ECC, but what are your specialities or areas?

Luckily I'm currently in contract, but I subscribe to various contract email services and at the moment there seem precious few perl and python scripting contracts outside London. (and what few there are mostly seem to be in Cheltenham, requiring security clearance. Hmm, I wonder who that could be ...)

[ECommerceConsultant]

There is a lot of pressure on rates at the moment, and lots of contractors out there who will take any offer. The good roles will come up, but if the coffers start to get depleted it could be worth taking a lower rate to get back into the market, then continue looking for a better rate/role.

I've hired 7 contractors over the past month or so, and the purse string holders at clientco have been very tight on day rates I can play with. So much so that 2 contractors have already moved on to better roles. It risks my projects, I raise these risks, but clientco are prepared to run that risk. It's that kind of market i'm afraid.

Thanks Whorty good to know. Sure, ok, good idea to take something at a lower rate and keep looking. Thanks again.

[Whorty]

THREAD SUMMARY:
so basically it is always a bad time to find a new contract...that seems to be the overall view of everyone on this thread.
So I guess none of you are working, or you've been in the same contracts for 10 years or more when Tony Blair was in charge?

I find building relationships with agents is a good strategy and has held me in good stead for the 10 years that I've been contracting. Means the roles come to me, as it were, as the agents know when i am out of contract and if they have a role they invite me to apply. Of course, applying doesn't mean I'll get the interview, but it's a start. I have applied via Jobserve for a couple of roles with varying success. One I got, one I got the interview and was told after the interview that I was second in line ... basically I was being used to call the bluff of candidate 1 who wouldn't sign ... they signed and I wasted my time which pee'd me off somewhat, but hey, sh1t happens sometimes.

[ECommerceConsultant]

I find building relationships with agents is a good strategy and has held me in good stead for the 10 years that I've been contracting. Means the roles come to me, as it were, as the agents know when i am out of contract and if they have a role they invite me to apply. Of course, applying doesn't mean I'll get the interview, but it's a start. I have applied via Jobserve for a couple of roles with varying success. One I got, one I got the interview and was told after the interview that I was second in line ... basically I was being used to call the bluff of candidate 1 who wouldn't sign ... they signed and I wasted my time which pee'd me off somewhat, but hey, sh1t happens sometimes.

Very good tips. I was contracting successfully for several years in the UK, and luckily at that time, I was well connected with the recruiters in my field. I've been out of the country for 2 years, and coming back in mid January - I was hoping to line something up to come back to...but it just isn't happening, I guess partly because I started looking in December. I used to use Jobserve a lot, with some success. I've lost touch with the recruiters, so I guess I need to rebuild that on my return, as per your suggestion.

Thanks for taking the time to write

[SueEllen]

Very good tips. I was contracting successfully for several years in the UK, and luckily at that time, I was well connected with the recruiters in my field. I've been out of the country for 2 years, and coming back in mid January - I was hoping to line something up to come back to...but it just isn't happening, I guess partly because I started looking in December. I used to use Jobserve a lot, with some success. I've lost touch with the recruiters, so I guess I need to rebuild that on my return, as per your suggestion.

Nope.

I've looked in November and December before and have secured contracts. In fact they all seem to be very close to me distance wise compared to other times of the year though time wise they weren't great due to traffic, train and tube problems.

It is just very random. Political events can have an effect on it e.g. the issue with the public sector, the economy, but if you are prepared to work anywhere in the UK then you should be able to find a contract.

[MarillionFan]

Thanks and congrats on your new role! I hope it goes well.

Nice to see also someone can write a post with relevant and useful info

Most of the posters on here are wannabes or trolls. If you want decent advise son, stick with me.

[vwdan]

My sector really picked up just before Christmas, but I wasn't in a position to take advantage. Hopefully it'll continue into the new year.