Reply to: State of the Market

[Fraidycat]

Why would you ever send a cold CV? You're a contractor, an independent professional, the agent is a gatekeeper that you need to get round. It's questionable if an OUTSIDE IR35 consultant should even have a CV.

Personally i always prefer to get the agent on the phone before sending my CV. But thats is not always possible.

I have known some people make their CV searchable on Jobserve, for any agent to find. Never done that myself.

[DrewG]

Just sending out CVs to cold agents, means you get lost in the other 200+ other CVs they get for the few positions they have. Pretty soul destroying, but if you send enough of even those you might eventually get lucky.

Why would you ever send a cold CV? You're a contractor, an independent professional, the agent is a gatekeeper that you need to get round. It's questionable if an OUTSIDE IR35 consultant should even have a CV.

You need to think about how to communicate with each different persona in the contractual chain, the agent doesn't really give a tulip about your CV (or you), they want to sell you (you are a commodity) to his client as quickly as humanly possible. Your outreach should get straight to the point

"Hello agent, get your commission quicker with me! I will be a VERY easy sell to your client."

Then send a highly targeted one pager. CV can follow when you've hooked them. What's the point in send a bunch of non-differentiated CVs to a bunch of agents that don't care about you?

You should read Harvard Business Reviews guide to communication and sales. Two separate (short) books).

[JustKeepSwimming]

Just sending out CVs to cold agents, means you get lost in the other 200+ other CVs they get for the few positions they have. Pretty soul destroying, but if you send enough of even those you might eventually get lucky.

Warm send CV, ie in response to an advert. Then call them to discuss. Chances are they will open up your CV and have a quick chat, so you're sure they have seen it.

Not many people are comfortable with that. Either not great sales/social skills or too prideful.

[Fraidycat]

In a bear market you have to have an outbound game, not just sit around waiting for calls.

When Bluenose reports the status of his burner he is giving us an indication of the state of the market.

We all know in bear markets your network is very important, the people and agents you have worked with in the past.

Just sending out CVs to cold agents, means you get lost in the other 200+ other CVs they get for the few positions they have. Its harder these days to get the agent on the phone to talk to you as well. All Pretty soul destroying, but if you send enough of even those you might eventually get lucky.

[DrewG]

I think if you got caught out in this bear market, its down to bad luck rather than skill.

IMHO there's nowhere to hide in this type of blood-bath.

I am not looking but the burner has registered zero calls in the past 10 working days and at this time of the year it should be going off at least half a dozen times a day.

In a bear market you have to have an outbound game, not just sit around waiting for calls.

Bull market contractors allow serendipity to control their careers.

When roles started to dry up and I wanted my second contract (running two together), I email blasted everyone I know in private equity with a one page powerpoint selling myself for any divestment work where they need to carve out a companies finances, operations etc. I landed my second current contract from that outbound campaign.

Nobody is calling my burner either but why should I care? When did you last pick up an industry publication and run an outbound campaign against everyone that wrote an op-ed? There are ways into the market beyond your generic CV and linkedin profile.

Like I keep saying, you need to pick a couple of verticals you are strong in, you're a consultant first and IT guy second: https://www.kalzumeus.com/2011/10/28...-a-programmer/

[DrewG]

Unsurprisingly. It's urban slang or internet shorthand, take your pick. And quite recent.

Stop lying, nobody uses this.

[krytonsheep]

Contracting is often a game of luck and being in the right place at the right time.

Yep, and also karma. Put some effort in, treat people well, fulfill contracts and you'll always have clients to go back to.

[avonleigh]

I think if you got caught out in this bear market, its down to bad luck rather than skill.

Exactly this

[Bluenose]

I think if you got caught out in this bear market, its down to bad luck rather than skill.

IMHO there's nowhere to hide in this type of blood-bath.

I am not looking but the burner has registered zero calls in the past 10 working days and at this time of the year it should be going off at least half a dozen times a day.

[DrewG]

There is a reason nobody wants your advice, cos you are in your own little deluded world. The market is brutal currently. Plenty of people, likely better and more experienced than you who cannot find work right now. You are probably still in a contract cos of luck and nothing more. I got through 2007-2008 without a care in the world. Whilst others had a right bad time of it. Not because I was better than them but because I was fortunate enough to keep getting renewed. Contracting is often a game of luck and being in the right place at the right time. You thinking you are some super special contractor is pure delusion.

It's ok. When the bull market returns, contractors can make money again.

When the bear market is here, only truly independent consultants are making money.

I think you know which one you are so just hug your war chest tightly until the bull market is here again.

[malvolio]

HTH BIDI...... My state school didn't teach me that one.

Unsurprisingly. It's urban slang or internet shorthand, take your pick. And quite recent.

[avonleigh]

I'm here to sell my linkedin coaching course on how to be a successful contractor in a bear market, nobody (out of work or people who THINK they're highly paid) wants to listen to my advice.

There is a reason nobody wants your advice, cos you are in your own little deluded world. The market is brutal currently. Plenty of people, likely better and more experienced than you who cannot find work right now. You are probably still in a contract cos of luck and nothing more. I got through 2007-2008 without a care in the world. Whilst others had a right bad time of it. Not because I was better than them but because I was fortunate enough to keep getting renewed. Contracting is often a game of luck and being in the right place at the right time. You thinking you are some super special contractor is pure delusion.

[DrewG]

It hasn't evolved that far. Try raising your head and looking around you.

HTH BIDI - "Hope That Helps, But I Doubt It". Clearly my doubts were well founded.

"When in a hole etc..."- has a long history, popularised by Walt Whitman as I recall (I know, you look him up). Basically if you want to get out of a hole of your own creation, it's a good idea not to keep making it deeper.

And this all started with you going on about the value of a good, well rounded education....

HTH BIDI...... My state school didn't teach me that one.

[malvolio]

I'm a bit younger and language has evolved. Be clear with what you mean or don't bother saying anything.

BIDI..??

It hasn't evolved that far. Try raising your head and looking around you.

HTH BIDI - "Hope That Helps, But I Doubt It". Clearly my doubts were well founded.

"When in a hole etc..."- has a long history, popularised by Walt Whitman as I recall (I know, you look him up). Basically if you want to get out of a hole of your own creation, it's a good idea not to keep making it deeper.

And this all started with you going on about the value of a good, well rounded education....

[Lance]

70

I'll go for 71