Reply to: Number of applications for roles

[heyya99]

Both I think right now.

The IT contract market in London has been terrible for months if you do not get your CV in & have followed up with a phone call within an hour or so you may as well forget that role (doing this is a struggle as agents are juggling so many phone calls they become unobtainable!). I have worked in IT as a contractor for almost 20 years its as bad as it was in the early 2000's IT mega recession.

Not sure what's causing this either which makes matter worse as no way to quantify when/if it will improve:

Too much cheaper labour overseas work permit competition (we should follow Australia/US No IT work permit visa models for foreign workers unless sponsored by a major company AND there is a genuine shortage which cannot be filled locally).
Companies afraid to hire due to impending brexit.
Companies afraid to hire contractors due to IR35 changes & recent budget tax amendments. HR/Compliance are always slow to incorporate these into their hiring practices as it has to go through several company lawyers before being signed off.
Perms not job hopping anymore many have mortgages to service & BTL empires to maintain so are job blocking for longer than ever!!
Perms scared of being replaced by someone cheaper/younger from overseas so working harder & doing more project stuff removing the contractor requirement altogether.
IT systems being upgrade reducing the absolute total number of contractor vacancies.

All of the above & or other globalisation factors like so much work being outsourced overseas & done remotely by Citrix, VM & other remote technologies.

A lot of the so called advertised roles are virtual there are no where near the number of IT vacancies people think there are due to agency malpractice techniques like CV gathering virtual roles which only exist in the agents head whilst he/she thinks about their next career move!

Surely the threat of Brexit would provide an opportunity for contracting. Temporary workforce that can be gotten rid of if the UK leaves.

[Eirikur]

On LinkedIn you can also see how many people applied for a role

[uk contractor]

Is that what it is at the moment? I remember about 5 or so years ago this was the case. You have an hour tops to get your application in after it appeared before it got pulled but talking to agents recently it's all turned about face. I guess it depends on what area as well though..

Is it up so high cause there are so many failed permies contracting now or because the market is not good?

Both I think right now.

The IT contract market in London has been terrible for months if you do not get your CV in & have followed up with a phone call within an hour or so you may as well forget that role (doing this is a struggle as agents are juggling so many phone calls they become unobtainable!). I have worked in IT as a contractor for almost 20 years its as bad as it was in the early 2000's IT mega recession.

Not sure what's causing this either which makes matter worse as no way to quantify when/if it will improve:

Too much cheaper labour overseas work permit competition (we should follow Australia/US No IT work permit visa models for foreign workers unless sponsored by a major company AND there is a genuine shortage which cannot be filled locally).
Companies afraid to hire due to impending brexit.
Companies afraid to hire contractors due to IR35 changes & recent budget tax amendments. HR/Compliance are always slow to incorporate these into their hiring practices as it has to go through several company lawyers before being signed off.
Perms not job hopping anymore many have mortgages to service & BTL empires to maintain so are job blocking for longer than ever!!
Perms scared of being replaced by someone cheaper/younger from overseas so working harder & doing more project stuff removing the contractor requirement altogether.
IT systems being upgrade reducing the absolute total number of contractor vacancies.

All of the above & or other globalisation factors like so much work being outsourced overseas & done remotely by Citrix, VM & other remote technologies.

A lot of the so called advertised roles are virtual there are no where near the number of IT vacancies people think there are due to agency malpractice techniques like CV gathering virtual roles which only exist in the agents head whilst he/she thinks about their next career move!

[jmo21]

but talking to agents recently it's all turned about face.

Interesting. There are a few agents whose contracts I always seem to miss as I am in contract, and have had a lot of "bugger, just missed you again jmo21, we're struggling to find people" type conversations.

And that's not to say I am the bees knees or anything, just not available at the time.

[northernladuk]

....or assume unless told otherwise most roles which pay well with have at least 400-500 applicants!

Is that what it is at the moment? I remember about 5 or so years ago this was the case. You have an hour tops to get your application in after it appeared before it got pulled but talking to agents recently it's all turned about face. I guess it depends on what area as well though..

Is it up so high cause there are so many failed permies contracting now or because the market is not good?

[uk contractor]

....or assume unless told otherwise most roles which pay well with have at least 400-500 applicants!

[northernladuk]

If we can spot CV farming roles it will be interesting to see how many people it sucks in.

[Unix]

Ahhh... I was just thinking about some warm foot garments as well....

Anyway.. back on topic before I have to start dishing out infractions...

I don't think how many people have applied means much but is interesting for the casual observer I guess.

True, of those who apply I bet a lot are duds and don't get through to the interviews

[northernladuk]

I agree, maybe try going for a checkout job at ASDA or Tesco rather than your current Lidl toilet cleaning gig.

Ahhh... I was just thinking about some warm foot garments as well....

Anyway.. back on topic before I have to start dishing out infractions...

I don't think how many people have applied means much but is interesting for the casual observer I guess.

[Unix]

My advice to you is to aim for roles out of your comfort zone, to make yourself more marketable. I'm surprised that you continually play it safe.

I agree, maybe try going for a checkout job at ASDA or Tesco rather than your current Lidl toilet cleaning gig.

[northernladuk]

Only passing on my wisdom as an experienced and successful contractor. That is what this forum was designed for. Up to you if you take it or not, obviously.

Shame I've only got your posting history to go on....

[heyya99]

LOL.. yeah.. great input Bro... Want another beer?

Only passing on my wisdom as an experienced and successful contractor. That is what this forum was designed for. Up to you if you take it or not, obviously.

[northernladuk]

My advice to you is to aim for roles out of your comfort zone, to make yourself more marketable. I'm surprised that you continually play it safe.

LOL.. yeah.. great input Bro... Want another beer?

[heyya99]

Maybe I'm just too good?

My advice to you is to aim for roles out of your comfort zone, to make yourself more marketable. I'm surprised that you continually play it safe.

[northernladuk]

Maybe you're aiming for roles that are beneath you; if one is able to 'smash' an interview.

Maybe I'm just too good?