Reply to: Java/J2EE Contractor - Cannot get an interview!

[SpringTime]

Maybe your rate is too high?

Yeah, it's looking that way. I've been working in the same circle of clients and they generally trust my work, thus pay well. Seems moving out of that circle is like starting again and a discount rate is in order!!

Market seems to be saturated at the moment which isn't helping either.

On the positive side the weather is class and everyday is a weekend!

[swamp]

I've been in work on a very good rate for the last 6 years

Maybe your rate is too high?

[SpringTime]

I'm having the same problem as the initial poster of this thread:

Contracting 6 years in London
- 8+ years java and JEE experience
- 2 years Spring Framework
- 2 Years Agile experience including SCRUM Certified Master
- 2.5 years telco experience
- 5 years commercial/corporate banking experience (+ they asked me to do some Securities Investment Certificates with I done and got)
- etc, etc

Been looking 5 weeks, about 100 calls from agents, no interviews.

During my 6 years contracting I have never had to deal with agents just moved between job through contacts I have known, unfortunately they have very little at the moment.

So:

1) Is it my interaction with agents that's the problem? They generally are fishing for names of people I previously worked with/for and I give them f**k all.

2) Should I tailor my CV for each role I apply for?

3) Do you generally call after applying or fire and forget as I do?


I've been in work on a very good rate for the last 6 years so I'm not starving but I'd prefer to work, any ideas???

[Diestl]

You don't specialize in finance right? I just checked the ratios on itjobswatch.co.uk and that paints a different picture, according to those stats, Java is still more in demand and better paid, not that I would personally know the .net market.

I'm honestly confused.

Im in banking, but the roles are from all sectors I guess, also I haven't done any comparisons at all. The stats website is a rough indicator although, I would go with personal experience of calls from agents etc.

[BarbarianAtTheDoor]

You don't specialize in finance right? I just checked the ratios on itjobswatch.co.uk and that paints a different picture, according to those stats, Java is still more in demand and better paid, not that I would personally know the .net market.

I'm honestly confused.

[Diestl]

I have other skills besides Java.....

The .NET market is very good at the moment, always at least 5 calls a day from agents, Ive had 2 interviews and not really looking yet.

[BarbarianAtTheDoor]

I have other skills besides Java, and have finally landed two interviews, one with an investment bank, where I flew through the first round, was invited to second next morning, for the other they only invited 3 developers, so chances are quite good in both cases.

That still does not mean that what I said earlier was wrong. Like I said, I am an exceptional Java programmer, so my only concern was not getting the interviews themselves, which I now have. I have always been offered the roles after interviews, so I'm not nearly as worried now as I was a week ago.

Having said that, I still find it ridiculous that it would take 5 weeks to get my first interview when a year ago it took 2 days and that all the interviews I was supposed to have were cancelled 1-2 days before the planned date. It does not show a healthy market and says in the least that our rates are going to stall for the coming year(s).

If it was just me, I would just write it down for luck, but no matter how many of my friends without contracts I ask, the picture is always the same.

[oracleslave]

DOH!

PAH?

[Ardesco]

No not me

DOH!

[Bumfluff]

Says the VB dev who is desperately cramming C# in the hopes of getting a new job...

(Assuming I have got the right person)

No not me

[Ardesco]

I think the number of replies to this post says it all 'There are too many Java developers' get over yourselves Java boys

Says the VB dev who is desperately cramming C# in the hopes of getting a new job...

(Assuming I have got the right person)

[Bumfluff]

So girl, what do you do, to come over yourself?

Not telling because if I did everyone would start doing doing it.

I shouldnt of said all Java developers should get over themselves in my previous post, it was fall out from my last gig where the Java developers were very arrogant and thought they were some kind of gods.

[max]

I think the number of replies to this post says it all 'There are too many Java developers' get over yourselves Java boys

So girl, what do you do, to come over yourself?

[Bumfluff]

I think the number of replies to this post says it all 'There are too many Java developers' get over yourselves Java boys

[max]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the tips and ideas to help me improve my chances in the java/j2ee market.

I landed a lot of interviews (5) in the few days following that post, which means it took 4 weeks before i started getting interviews! Nothing like that back home.

I have ended up taking a 450/day contract with an Oil company.

I had an amazing chance with a conglomerate at a good rate of 525 a day but after:

1. coding test, involving going to their offices and sitting in the team area and coding a small number crunching application (with unit tests etc) on eclipse
2. a mid level technical (patterns, oo concepts, data structures etc) and development processes (agile etc) interview
3. low level technical test (involving how the threading, messaging, data structures, performance tuning and swing)

I stumbled at the last interview. Apparently my answers on how threading is implemented under the covers wasn't up to scratch (i didnt pretend to know it). I've used multithreading a lot as most java guys do, but core knowledge as not enough. Forget that the feedback i got was the rest of my skillset was strong, they wanted someone who had an insane knowledge of multithreading (as well as how the JVm implements it under the covers to get the most out of it).

Annoyed as all hell, because i liked the role and the people there.

I'll probably just keep looking for work while im working this contract.. i know the UK loves to "label" contractors rather than appreciate software development skill and the ability to apply it to multiple domains.

thanks again all!

::mark

Good work. It gets easier after the first contract, not only as you have the money coming in, but you're more likely to get more work if you are in work.

Interviews can be a hit and miss affair. Some interviewers have some amusing desired skillsets.

Let them be...they probably have a hard time with their mom's at home.

Oh...now you head down to the walkabout for a cold Crowny! £450/day is what they were invented for...."for a hard earned thirst"