Reply to: Best sites for contracts

[icanbelieveitsnotbutter]

The problem I have found is identifying an agency from the north west

What phrase do you Google to find a list of agencies that you can contact?

If I put "Computer Agency"+North+West into Google no specific Names and Locations appear

[original PM]

it may be hassle searching agencies sites but ffs what do people expect put my CV on monster, surf a bit of jobserve and if no jobs sit there for the rest of the day complaining

lets be honest job searching is not easy and it is full of rejections and false hopes

come on sort it out you guys

chins up

look the world in the eye

and get out there!

[sal626]

Although its hassle searching multiple recruitment agency sites for jobs, its worth doing.
I know for a fact that the bigger agencies post jobs on thier own site first, and only if they dont get the applicants do they post of the job boards - because posting on job boards costs £££.

[original PM]

do any of you actually surf the agencies own websites for jobs - I think some of them have their own mini job boards

I would imagine that any jobs which do come up may be psoted on there first

failing all else get into car drive to local business park and knock on doors

[the_duderama]

If you're not networking you don't stand a chance.

I'm in networking, does that help?

[moorfield]

In the last half hour I've opened a 2 grand council tax bill that's just landed on the doormat, and then read this thread. Thanks for that chaps, I'm feeling fecking suicidal now!

[Svalbaard]

If you're not networking you don't stand a chance.

I disagree with this. Granted, networking can help but I have taken 6 calls direct from agents in the last 4 days all followed up with job specs in my inbox shortly after. Happy to pass on any leads, and have posted several on CUK already but nobody seems interested...

What I take from this is that project budgets are being finalised for the new financial year and the programme, project and technical delivery managers being contacted and lined up to deliver them. This means that any requirements for contract application support/technical staff should start to filter through from late May.

[pmeswani]

Oh come on whinging is a national pastime. This week on the bench has already cost me £3k.

Is that all? Count yourself lucky.

[Not So Wise]

Market is not only down due to the recession but on top of that this is worst time of year to be looking for contract after x-mas, as it's the end of financial year and budgets have been spent and new ones have either not kicked in or even been decided.

Mid April things should start picking up and by mid May we will have a good indication what the rest of the year will be like

[PM-Junkie]

If you're not networking you don't stand a chance.

[DocP]

Whinge

Oh come on whinging is a national pastime. This week on the bench has already cost me £3k.

[pmeswani]

I've been benched for about a week now and it seems that there is nothing to apply for.

Count yourself lucky that you've only been benched for a week. I've been benched since early December 08. Some have been benched for a lot longer. If I were you, I would stop moaning and moping around. Just keep your eyes open for the roles on Jobserve, CWJobs, Monster and even PlanetRecruit. Something will come along eventually.

[AlfredJPruffock]

Jobs are going to the lowest bidder now rather than the best person, I feel.

Fred there is an old adage - when in recession - discount and discount heavily.

[badger7579]

Also remember guys that its coming to the end of the financial year which is typically a quiet time. The last few weeks have been dead but I have noticed a slight increase in vacancies this last week. I would expect things to start to pick up in a few weeks.

I'm also getting the comments from agents that they know positions are coming up next month. Could be bull but it makes sense.

[Jubber]

I agree, there is very little work at all. I've been benched for about a week now and it seems that there is nothing to apply for. Job boards seem to be full of fake ads. I've had a very low volume of calls from clients and agents.

I'm not sure how many people are on the bench, but it's a large proportion of the contracting population. for sure I had an interview for the NHS last week. The agent haggeled me down to a 30% rate cut, but I was still beaten on rate! Proving there must be some very desperate people out there.

Contract rates have plummeted and are now around they level they were 10 years ago, and they are falling.

Best of luck. You're going to need it.

My experience too... like others, I would regularly field calls from agents with work. Now it is utterly dead. Whatever I try is demoralisingly fruitless (sp?)

Back to freelancing now. Should keep me going for a bit (a nice long holiday first)

Bon Chance All !