Reply to: State of the Market

[willendure]

Building AI Pipelines seems to be where it's going and what I'm focusing on.

I'm also using Codex now to help build a new front end and it's quick to get initial results but tiresome to use. It seems to default to use the most complicated solution possible, much like your average React developer creating what is essentially a HTML form

I agree, you want to be using AI not being used by AI.

[coolhandluke]

I dont want to be a bringer of bad tidings but, i just cant see the newer AI stuff (2026 only) having only a small effect on professional services in general.

How many people are typing stuff into basic, free AI chat and getting a legal opinion or, cut and pasting their entire accounts into a pro subscription to check if its right? Thats not to mention the hordes of front end developers and web creative staff that have already been thrown under the bus and will be lucky to pick up minimum wage in 2027.

I hope unemployment peaks, dont get me wrong we are all in the same boat on that front but thats got to be a very optimistic few on an economic cycle that probably saw this type of disruption last in the 1970s.

Building AI Pipelines seems to be where it's going and what I'm focusing on.

I'm also using Codex now to help build a new front end and it's quick to get initial results but tiresome to use. It seems to default to use the most complicated solution possible, much like your average React developer creating what is essentially a HTML form

[Bluenose]

https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandp...-b1273514.html

Unemployment will peak this year.
London is suffering from lack of hospitality, tourism and rental incomes.

...so it looks like we have not quite hit the bottom yet.

I dont want to be a bringer of bad tidings but, i just cant see the newer AI stuff (2026 only) having only a small effect on professional services in general.

How many people are typing stuff into basic, free AI chat and getting a legal opinion or, cut and pasting their entire accounts into a pro subscription to check if its right? Thats not to mention the hordes of front end developers and web creative staff that have already been thrown under the bus and will be lucky to pick up minimum wage in 2027.

I hope unemployment peaks, dont get me wrong we are all in the same boat on that front but thats got to be a very optimistic few on an economic cycle that probably saw this type of disruption last in the 1970s.

[sadkingbilly]

so far, so good......
so far, so good..........

[SchumiStars]

https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandp...-b1273514.html

Unemployment will peak this year.
London is suffering from lack of hospitality, tourism and rental incomes.

...so it looks like we have not quite hit the bottom yet.

[sadkingbilly]

I made that mistake in my last 'fat' contract. I didn't really notice the volume of recruiter calls dropping off over the two years I was there and assumed I would walk straight into another contract at a similar rate as I had always done in the past.

Keep an eye on the market and be prepared. It is always better to learn new skills when you are being paid.

I'm a Zseries sysprog. i REALLY don't care. <i virtually don't care too>
As for 'new skills', I get those from release notes for latest IBM Z/OS versions.

[TheDude]

I also am not looking, so i don't care.

I made that mistake in my last 'fat' contract. I didn't really notice the volume of recruiter calls dropping off over the two years I was there and assumed I would walk straight into another contract at a similar rate as I had always done in the past.

Keep an eye on the market and be prepared. It is always better to learn new skills when you are being paid.

[sadkingbilly]

I also am not looking, so i don't care.

[quackhandle]

Not looking myself either but not seeing what you are seeing. Market hasn't improved at all as far as I can tell.

I'm not looking, but have seen a massive uptick in emails / DMs via Linkedin these past 2-3 weeks, probably had more contact in Feb/Mar than the previous 12 months. All sorts.... perm, inside, outside and FTC.

I think it's a bit of both.

qh

[avonleigh]

I'm not looking, but have seen a massive uptick in emails / DMs via Linkedin these past 2-3 weeks, probably had more contact in Feb/Mar than the previous 12 months. All sorts.... perm, inside, outside and FTC.

Not looking myself either but not seeing what you are seeing. Market hasn't improved at all as far as I can tell.

[Ketto]

I'm not looking, but have seen a massive uptick in emails / DMs via Linkedin these past 2-3 weeks, probably had more contact in Feb/Mar than the previous 12 months. All sorts.... perm, inside, outside and FTC.

[Bluenose]

I am also keeping a monthly eye on the HAYS share price graph, it is not improving, the 6 month now looks pretty brutal - a 25% loss.

If it continues into March that will be a 4 year bear market.

......Which it has, HAYS shareholders now sitting on a -34% loss on the 6 month. Where is the bottom for HAYS and the UK contract market?

From their report at the end of Feb. "Group net fees decreased by 9%. Temp & Contracting, down 7%, was more resilient than Perm, down 14%. As guided at our January trading update, pre-exceptional operating profit decreased 25% YoY to £20.1 million."

[willendure]

Are you sure user willendure is Scooter?

I am unsure.

If that's the calm alter ego of scooterscot then we should be thankful.

Oh wait, Scooter is the manic, and I am the depressive alter ego?

You guys are funny.

[Bluenose]

I agree with Quakhandle but I would also agree with a big uptick in people doing daily AI generated posts just so they can show the world they are interesting.

These people forget that ten years ago people used to exchange useful information on it that was RELEVANT rather than a daily life blog that does not refer, in any way, shape or form to what they do, no insight, no real value, just vapid facebook dairy stuff. Nobody has the bottle to tell them to pack it in because its a professional tool.

[TheDude]

Just been told I can ignore the billable days limit in my contract and work all days in March rather than be forced to take 12 days off.

Not sure if that is a good thing...