Reply to: Current state of market?

[crimdon]

This week it does seem to have livened up a bit. Rates are still pretty dire, but a few more busy weeks should see rates inching back up again as the guys who took low rates recently move on after a few weeks on a dire rate to a higher paying role. I hope............... My contract ends in a few weeks.............

I'm finding that too this week. Last few weeks have been really poor. the north east is never good but even looking down to Leeds/Bradford there hasn't been anything either.

[Fred Bloggs]

This week it does seem to have livened up a bit. Rates are still pretty dire, but a few more busy weeks should see rates inching back up again as the guys who took low rates recently move on after a few weeks on a dire rate to a higher paying role. I hope............... My contract ends in a few weeks.............

[Shimano105]

Congrats! Good result - hopefully it will rub off on me!

[jim2406]

Today:

• Got 3 month contract through word of mouth
• Recommended mate for a contract with an agent who I have a good relationship with; he has an interview
• Have received 3 other geniune sounding phonecalls and a couple of e-mails

To everyone else waiting, hang in there.. something will come up!

[SuperZ]

I'm expecting this too.

The consultancies will be first for the chop, then contractors. That said the consultancies are charging out some of their bods at contractor rates, possibly at a loss.

Not often that happens unless they see future potential in the project.
I can see the consultancies getting the chop but think there will be still a public sector demand for contractors although the rates may become closer to the private sector, which seems to be happening now anyway

[swamp]

I also suspect that the tories will be elected early next year and will start carving the public sector apart. This will mean that all contractors working in the public sector will be offloaded first.

I'm expecting this too.

The consultancies will be first for the chop, then contractors. That said the consultancies are charging out some of their bods at contractor rates, possibly at a loss.

[expat]

...Nearly got lured by a call from Computer Futures (things are that bad, lol) but waited for another agency to advertise the same job then went through them instead. Turned out CFS had inflated the salary the employer was prepared to pay by a third. Same old games to get your application into the employer then they block any other agency using you.

That is wrong. It is anti-competitive (which is what they like about it). Why shouldn't you be able to choose which offer to take?

[crimdon]

That's what I'm thinking as I could spend the next 6/12/18 months chasing ever decreasing contract gigs whilst my life crumbles around me, better to be earning and training for any up turn should it ever come.

When I look at what I've earned over the past 24 months and the amount of time I've spent on the bench it just hasn’t been worth it considering the holidays and other benefits I would have had.

Well I'm thinking that now the BOE are saying this resession will last 2-3 years things will get a lot worse. I also suspect that the tories will be elected early next year and will start carving the public sector apart. This will mean that all contractors working in the public sector will be offloaded first.

As you say, more and more people will start chasing fewer and fewer jobs. Better to be in something low paid and permie for a few years just to be safe I think

[chapeau]

I often wonder if the contracts are indeed paying lower or the pimps are just after a bigger cut as there's little work about and they want to cover their backs.

Suspect a bit of both. Though in my line (quite specialised which is good while jobs out there as few other applicants) there are just zero contract jobs right now - so hard to know what the going rate is.

Agencies also being very naughty right now about advertised salaries in permanent jobs. Nearly got lured by a call from Computer Futures (things are that bad, lol) but waited for another agency to advertise the same job then went through them instead. Turned out CFS had inflated the salary the employer was prepared to pay by a third. Same old games to get your application into the employer then they block any other agency using you.

[gingerjedi]

Well I've been on the bench now for 6 weeks. The only stuff I'm seeing are contracts on so low a rate its not worth it (and I really mean some of them are min wage) or low paid permie jobs. I've decided to go for a low paid permie job for the next couple of years. Applied for my old job back before I started contracting

That's what I'm thinking as I could spend the next 6/12/18 months chasing ever decreasing contract gigs whilst my life crumbles around me, better to be earning and training for any up turn should it ever come.

When I look at what I've earned over the past 24 months and the amount of time I've spent on the bench it just hasn’t been worth it considering the holidays and other benefits I would have had.

[crimdon]

Well I've been on the bench now for 6 weeks. The only stuff I'm seeing are contracts on so low a rate its not worth it (and I really mean some of them are min wage) or low paid permie jobs. I've decided to go for a low paid permie job for the next couple of years. Applied for my old job back before I started contracting

[BrowneIssue]

I'm on the bench in 3 weeks unless I can arrange something.

You are selling yourself all around ClientCo, aren't you? You are actually in the best possible place to get another gig.

Edit: They've given an extension to you on a plate. Get on with writing that business case...

[SuperZ]

Well this has never happened to me before. I've been asked to write my own business case for extending my contract which the dept manager will use as evidence of keeping me on.

hmmmm.... Think I can do that.

Great management there then? You shouldn`t have to do that, they should know if they need you or not.

[Scotchpie]

Well this has never happened to me before. I've been asked to write my own business case for extending my contract which the dept manager will use as evidence of keeping me on.

hmmmm.... Think I can do that.

[Numpty]

From Elan:

Re: JobServe Apply Online GBR JSJ51738A00061371

Hi, Thank you for your application. I have now received over a 1000 applications and therefore do not have the time to go through all of these applications in detail. So I can filter through these applications quicker, can I ask for a couple of details from you. Firstly I will require 2 references for compliancy when getting to interview stage and so to have these details before and be able to check on your previous standard of work and use this will strengthen your application. (please send me 2 contacts, email or number or already written ref)

Maybe I put "yesterday" down as "Date of Birth".