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TheDude
Contractor Among Contractors
Last Activity: Today, 08:09
Joined: 30 July 2013
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    The worst candidates I have have ever interviewed are those that thought a CS degree equipped them with the skills they require to succeed in technology.


    Those that succeed are those that have spent hours satisfying their own curiosity regardless of any qualification they may ho...
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    Really?

    ...and really?...
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    Not really - just a different way of building software. Not everyone is writing software for a nuclear reactor or a passenger jet....
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    Waterfall is never going to go away and is 100% the correct choice for some projects but (say) your entire career has been in safety critical and/or defence then hiring managers are not going to suddenly think - hey this guy is going to fit right in with our two week sprint cycle writing code from two...
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    Last edited by TheDude; 10 July 2026, 10:44.

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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    Yes....
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    The obsolete hardware and programming languages you used 25 years ago and the waterfall methodology you followed are pretty much irrelevant today unless you are lucky enough to be one of those people paid a fortune to maintain legacy stuff.

    Remove them from your CV and highlight what you...
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  • TheDude
    replied to SC - two past arrests
    If they don't ask for arrests then you don't need to disclose them.

    On a slightly unrelated theme arrests will disqualify you from the US visa waiver scheme. I discovered this when I was required to visit the US for work and had to apply for a Visa which is a tedious process.
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    Last edited by TheDude; 7 July 2026, 10:22.

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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    I saw once five page CV which included an essay describing the candidates philosophy on software development.

    That should have been enough to reject them on the spot but they were called in for an interview.

    He couldn't even answer the warm up programming questions and was...
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    I have removed all of the roles and technologies from my CV that have no relevance in todays market.


    It may seem a good idea to highlight decades of experience shipping systems but (say) Open VMS and Ada are not going to impress hiring managers at (say) a bank who will just see an...
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    Last edited by TheDude; 6 July 2026, 07:37.

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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    HMRC have quite lot of contracts at the moment. Rates not great but mostly 100% remote.
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  • TheDude
    replied to CV Format
    I have provided exact dates for compliance but they can be a bit funny...
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  • TheDude
    replied to CV Format
    If you had three contracts with the same end client over two years with a month or two between them would you list them separately on your CV or lump them in one section?

    I did the later and am anticipating some questions from compliance screening for my new role even though I don't think...
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  • Check your contract. Mine says one year after contract ends
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    Over the years I have mainly worked with offshored teams in India.

    The best Indian developers are as good as anyone and sooner or later they will find their way to Europe and demand pay parity. Good luck to them - they deserve it.

    The worst Indian developers are only in it...
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    Offer received.

    PAYE day rate. Not spectacular but I should take home more than I currently gross when corporation tax is deducted....
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    So nearly six weeks later the agency called me and the client has asked if I am still available.

    Was told it there was a hiring freeze which has now been lifted.

    I am not counting my chickens but this is the most promising news I have had for a while....
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  • TheDude
    replied to State of the Market
    I supply my services indirectly through Accenture.

    I haven't spoken to a single manager in 10 months....
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