Reply to: State of the Market

[oliverson]

Think we have been at the bottom for a while. Can't possibly get any worse. Think the question is not if this is the bottom but is this the new norm?

The new norm is the two approaches I've had off LinkedIn this very morning. 1. Inside IR35. 2. Fixed Term Contract.

There's no new norm for me, it's outside or nothing.

[ShandyDrinker]

Think we have been at the bottom for a while. Can't possibly get any worse. Think the question is not if this is the bottom but is this the new norm?

IMHO, this is the new norm. Until we get a government that priorities the people already living here, outsourcing, offshoring, nearshoring and so on will continue to dominate.

In addition to this the pledge of the Conservatives to now review IR35 again, they've got balls, I'll give them that.

[avonleigh]

I think the Q3 market is looking better than COVID but not as good as 2008. The question is whether this is the bottom or, we go through the bottom in Q4 and find another low.

Think we have been at the bottom for a while. Can't possibly get any worse. Think the question is not if this is the bottom but is this the new norm?

[Bluenose]

I think the Q3 market is looking better than COVID but not as good as 2008. The question is whether this is the bottom or, we go through the bottom in Q4 and find another low.

[jamesbrown]

The "light at the end of the tunnel" is a Tomahawk cruise missile from a fighter jet mounted on a freight train.

[quackhandle]

The quarterly market update emither I get from a recruiting pimp:












The Death of Freelancing in the UK. No flowers.

qh

[oliverson]

After over a year of not ringing, ´the burner´is registering calls and voicemails and has been for the past week. I did not want to post about it incase they were automated spam calls for double glazing. No linked-in DMs as of yet and that also, has been through some sort of ice-age and remains in deep freeze.

I can however, see other people bagging contracts so its just a matter of time before they get desperate and DM me (plus +30% on the day rate ontop of what they would have paid in June).

I'm seeing absolutely nothing now. Getting quieter and quieter, if that was even possible.

It's incredible seeing what looked like very strong leads, completely evaporate without a whimper.

[Bluenose]

After over a year of not ringing, ´the burner´is registering calls and voicemails and has been for the past week. I did not want to post about it incase they were automated spam calls for double glazing. No linked-in DMs as of yet and that also, has been through some sort of ice-age and remains in deep freeze.

I can however, see other people bagging contracts so its just a matter of time before they get desperate and DM me (plus +30% on the day rate ontop of what they would have paid in June).

[rocktronAMP]

Midterm security I agree, but the certainty of a pay packet hitting your account at the end of the month, and for most at our level, a 3-month notice period is a nice warm fuzzy blanket for them.


A large war chest is the best security :-)

Also add set collection of clients and retainer opportunities :-)

[oliverson]

Great couples of posts chaps. Thanks

[SussexSeagull]

It’s a strange one. I think only those who’ve been in this position can really relate. When you’ve worked all your life since 15, how can you possibly change. 40+ years of habit. Hard to break.

I think the good things in life are made more enjoyable because they are a contrast to working.

I think to a greater or lesser degree most of us enjoyed 'the game' of starting a contract, establishing yourself quickly, doing your bit (hopefully well) then moving onto the next challenge. That has become increasingly difficult and in many cases impossible to do.

Really not trying to be the big I am because it has been a massive cut in money and had the contract market held up I would still be doing it but I changed career and found a different game to play and enjoy.

Either professionally or, if you can afford it, personally find something you can get your teeth into.

[Dorkeaux]

It’s a strange one. I think only those who’ve been in this position can really relate. When you’ve worked all your life since 15, how can you possibly change. 40+ years of habit. Hard to break.

I understand this, my father was the same.
He loved being a machinist, being in the Navy then being an Engineer.
He liked being an Engineer so much he got two degrees, Mechanical and Chemical.
But aside from my mum and beer, that's all he had. When he retired (forced out because of age and the sometimes prickly demeanour of the gifted) he had prety much nothing else going on.

However, (as I posted before) that is very distant from how things will go for me when I retire.
I love my work, but I don't do it to the exclusion of everything else. I have passions and interests that pay little or nothing. When I stop working, I'll advance these these with great joy.

Assuming we have enough money. That's always the rub, isn't it?

[oliverson]

I mean this in the kindest way possible ... you seem to change your tune as to whether you want to work or retire as much as the weather.

It’s a strange one. I think only those who’ve been in this position can really relate. When you’ve worked all your life since 15, how can you possibly change. 40+ years of habit. Hard to break.

[fatJock]

if I was that wonderful I’d be in contract right now wouldn’t I, so I would?

I mean this in the kindest way possible ... you seem to change your tune as to whether you want to work or retire as much as the weather.

[oliverson]

aye, you're wonderful, so you are. as you constantly remind us.

if I was that wonderful I’d be in contract right now wouldn’t I, so I would?