Reply to: Are there any real jobs out there at present?

[Liability]

Ive had three confirmed opps over the past two days - Interview next week and another two I am waiting for.

Stuff has picked up when I compare to November and December.

[MPwannadecentincome]

I think its too early to tell - next week should be more enlightening as more people will be *really* back at work.

[norrahe]

I've found it odd that people are ringing me up about roles before they hit the net and I'm actually getting call backs when i send my CV through.

Up till december it was nowt apart from one interview, which I didn't get, a mate of mine got the gig, but he'd already worked at the same clientco for 3 years, whereas I'd only been there for 3 months previously.

Though it could be just the first flurry and it'll all disappear into a puff of smoke.

[chris79]

You mean your CV didn't have your name or mobile on it before?

Hehe.. it did, but previously it had a lot more personal info on it too. Probably a schoolboy error when I got into the game and hadn't really thought to change it, but now it's literally my name, email, mobile.. nothing more.

[Peter Loew]

I reconfigured my CV to just have my name and mobile number for this purpose. Let the agents do the job of deciding how closely you match the job I reckon. If I get any annoyed agents calling me - "oops sorry I must have ticked it by accident during my search".

You mean your CV didn't have your name or mobile on it before?

[chris79]

Yup it's frustrating.. can all but try.

I decided to play them at their own game since they are being so picky and thought I'd also maximise my chances in the process.

I search on the job role then just tick them all and send in my CV. If anyone cares they will call me, if not I'll maybe end up on a database.

I reconfigured my CV to just have my name and mobile number for this purpose. Let the agents do the job of deciding how closely you match the job I reckon. If I get any annoyed agents calling me - "oops sorry I must have ticked it by accident during my search".

[Peter Loew]

IMO there are plenty of agents making up jobs at the moment just to get benched contractors phoning them up as they know they'll probably work for less dosh in today's climate. They then tout your details about to clients they think might be looking for people. If they don't find a match, when you chase up it will be "sorry, they have had lots of other responses more closely matching the role".

Possibly, but with the agents I have spoken to this is certainly not the case. There are some very real contracts out there...

[mailric]

IMO there are plenty of agents making up jobs at the moment just to get benched contractors phoning them up as they know they'll probably work for less dosh in today's climate. They then tout your details about to clients they think might be looking for people. If they don't find a match, when you chase up it will be "sorry, they have had lots of other responses more closely matching the role".

[Peter Loew]

There must be a lot of people that have been laid off from their jobs and decided to go contracting, thus making up the large numbers of role hunters out there.

What's the consensus on why the market is so saturated right now?

[rootsnall]

I just managed to get my CV forwarded to a cliet for the first time in this job hunt and the agent rang me. BUT I then noticed they had posted the job on Jobserve literally 10 mins before phoning me so they'll be bloody swamped now and also set every agency in kingdom come onto the trail

The rate wasn't bad either, some clients aren't aware yet that there are hundreds of us out there.

[Peter Loew]

I'm coming to the end of a contract in the NE but will pretty much work anywhere. Some of my applications have been for Amsterdam and Dublin.
I'll give it till the middle of next week and if I've had no joy I'll start phoning - which is something I've never had to do before as I agree with deckster's comments re: if an agent wants you they'll ring within 2 hours.

It used to be like that before the market became so saturated. The problem is the agent might not even see your CV in the flood of application he receives, not matter how good you are for the role.

[zara_backdog]

Personally I think things are picking up. I've been benched since October and didn't have a sniff until early December - five interviews that month and three more positive leads just this week, plus another interview this afternoon. Competition is still red-hot though - there must be an awful lot of really good people out there as I've never ever failed to get a job after interview before!

Five interviews in Dec ! - any job offers come out of them ?

[Sausage Surprise]

In our area (north east) I would say yes.. I've been doing the same and there's hardly anything. Had a few phone calls but never amounts to anything material, either that or the rate offered is a joke (for contracting).

I'm coming to the end of a contract in the NE but will pretty much work anywhere. Some of my applications have been for Amsterdam and Dublin.
I'll give it till the middle of next week and if I've had no joy I'll start phoning - which is something I've never had to do before as I agree with deckster's comments re: if an agent wants you they'll ring within 2 hours.

[Peter Loew]

Have to say it's the opposite in my experience. My mornings are largely spent scanning Jobserve, tweaking CVs and emailing them out. If an agent is at all interested they will ring within 2 hours of me sending the CV; without exception, if I haven't heard from them by the end of the day then they aren't interested and ringing them is a waste of time.

Personally I think things are picking up. I've been benched since October and didn't have a sniff until early December - five interviews that month and three more positive leads just this week, plus another interview this afternoon. Competition is still red-hot though - there must be an awful lot of really good people out there as I've never ever failed to get a job after interview before!

What area are you in? It was like that back when I was a techie, but not so much now.

[chris79]

Have applied for nearly 30 "jobs" on Jobserve, Jobsite, etc over the last 3 days. At least 4 or 5 were very near matched to my cv. Only had one email and that just asked for 2 references

Did the same thing 12 momths ago and phone never stopped ringing.

Is it really getting that bad

In our area (north east) I would say yes.. I've been doing the same and there's hardly anything. Had a few phone calls but never amounts to anything material, either that or the rate offered is a joke (for contracting).