Reply to: Almost 100 applications but only 10 or so callbacks

[ConsultingTechArchitect]

I can see that, but depends on:

Location?
Specialisation?
IR35 designation?

Care to share any info?

That northen lad bloke is just my troll, he likes to follow me around.

Location: I work only remote so it doesn't make a difference. I visit client sites occasionally but never as part of my written contract.
Specialisation: Cloud migrations / tech stack modernisation with a focus on two industries (not finance). Strong engineering background, strong sales background, strong enterprise architecture background.
IR35: All outside at the moment, that's probably more through luck than anything else though. There is a lot of inside work going around, probably at least 3/4 of the roles I see are inside.
Me: Bit of a bell end due to a bad upbringing

[northernladuk]

I can see that, but depends on:

Location?
Specialisation?
IR35 designation?

Care to share any info?

Location is pretty irrelevant, his name gives you his specialism but he's the bee's knees and best in the world at what he does looking at his posts and he'll only be going outside because he's so damn good.

Any other details you pick up about him are unlikely to be anywhere near the truth as he's a complete troll so I'd take anything he says with a pinch of salt.

[bballer3221]

Your experience isn't the same as mine.

I applied for 6 roles on jobserve and got 4 offers within a few days. The market is on fire, rates are 800 - 1000.

I can see that, but depends on:

Location?
Specialisation?
IR35 designation?

Care to share any info?

[ConsultingTechArchitect]

I was in the market few weeks back.
I can tell you one thing: job boards contracts don’t exist or getting spammed,
the real work lies on LinkedIn.
I’ve had so many calls that agents were trying to squeeze 3 interviews a day, totally exhausting experience
luckily I got put out of misery and received 2 offers after 3 interviews

hot market

Your experience isn't the same as mine.

I applied for 6 roles on jobserve and got 4 offers within a few days. The market is on fire, rates are 800 - 1000.

[ConsultingTechArchitect]

Why three different CVs?

Most developers can't really claim expertise for all of the technologies on a single CV let alone three.

Create a matrix of all the things you are comfortable contracting in. If a role only wants three of those five things, make those things stand out on your CV and don't waste space on other things. This is targeted CV. The first few lines of the CV should be enough to hook the readers interest.

5 years domain expertise in insurance and 6 in retail? Why talk about your insurance experience when applying for a retail role?

I'm not saying you need to be all things to all people, but surely you're more than one thing unless you are hyper specialised.

How is it hard to understand that CVs should be highly tailored to the role?

[_V_]

It could be the start of the next IT jobs downturn.

US Tech stocks have been down for a while.

But the S&P 500 blue chips entered a bear market only last week.

Cypto has crashed as well with layoffs in that sector.

Base interest rates going from 0 to 3.5%

Hiring freezes will come first.

Followed by rate cuts and layoffs.

I think the next 12 - 18 months are going to be brutal.

3 weeks on the bench is going to seem like a picnic.

The downturn is on its way for sure. Rising costs can only be passed onto customers and consumers for so long, after that, profit margins will need to be propped up with cost cutting measures. So pay freezes, hiring freezes and layoffs will be the theme of the latter part of this year and next.

[SueEllen]

Like to add a little bit more than that?

You know there is no need as 3 weeks is nothing.

That reminds me I need to reply more to the emails that I keep getting.

[northernladuk]

LOL

Like to add a little bit more than that?

[Bluenose]

Been out of work for just over 3 weeks now

LOL

[b0redom]

Of the 100 applications, how many were via agents you knew?
How many of the 100 did you call the agent and speak to them about it before you put your application in?
How many times did you follow up with a second call after the application went in?

This. If I'm interested in the role. I always call up the agent and talk to them first and email my CV whilst I'm on the phone.

[TheDude]

I was in the market few weeks back.
I can tell you one thing: job boards contracts don’t exist or getting spammed,
the real work lies on LinkedIn.
I’ve had so many calls that agents were trying to squeeze 3 interviews a day, totally exhausting experience
luckily I got put out of misery and received 2 offers after 3 interviews

hot market

Agree.

My contract is up in 6 weeks time so whilst waiting to hear about renewal I flipped my status to looking for work (recruiters only) and have had four phone calls (fielded by voicemail) in the first half hour.

Rather than chase misrepresented contracts on job boards I'll let them chase me and follow up on anything interesting.

[GitMaster69]

I was in the market few weeks back.
I can tell you one thing: job boards contracts don’t exist or getting spammed,
the real work lies on LinkedIn.
I’ve had so many calls that agents were trying to squeeze 3 interviews a day, totally exhausting experience
luckily I got put out of misery and received 2 offers after 3 interviews

hot market

[zonkkk]

There is a lot of work. Current client looking for C# .Net applications developers and embedded C developers (Medical Devices). Received about 20 CVs, had 5 interviews, hired 2 contractors, 4 contractors and 6 permie positions still available.

I get approached on LinkedIn with leads at least once a week.

[Guy Incognito]

This.

Also make sure even when you are in a contract you bother replying to companies and agents who you have had contracts through who contact you for work to tell them you aren't available now but your contact ends on x date.

+1

I have half a dozen faintly embarrassing intermittent WhatsApp conversations with old contacts about work that I never end up taking

[SueEllen]

If i were you, I'd be more selecting in what i applied for.

This.

Also make sure even when you are in a contract you bother replying to companies and agents who you have had contracts through who contact you for work to tell them you aren't available now but your contact ends on x date.