Reply to: High activity on the market?

[Ketchup]

I know it is not very accurate, but to get a feel for the market, i go on CWJOBS once a week and search for .net contract jobs in london, yesterday there were 116 results, january there were less than half that, it has been steadily increasing throughout the year,

[Graemsay]

I'm in London, and my experience is that the market has been quiet from the start of the year, but there's been an uptick in activity the end of June.

I'm not seeing many senior level Java roles paying more than £450 to £500 per day outside of investment banking in London. I've been doing Android recently, and that tends to attract a lower rate again.

Right now I've got a potential client up in Glasgow who wants to interview me on Thursday. The agent says that he's refusing to do an initial phone interview. Given he's already rejected three candidates, and I'm a bit light on one of the key skills, I'm wondering whether to say no.

As for a hair cut, last year I was down by around 35% (ignoring inflation) from what I was being paid in 2008, and had the costs of living in London on top of that. If you're not part of the magic circle of investment banks then life has been tough for a few years.

[Bluenose]

Arn't we all?

Some more specialised than others though.

I would say that assuming a 50 week billable year is optimistic for some specialists hence, the higher rates to reflect the risks of shorter engagements and availability of skillset.

I don't mind taking a haircut but £250/pd cut (40%) is a low-ball bid.

[Lewis]

Sorry forgot to mention. It is C sharp, .Net, investment banking. City of London.

I hope you don't write C sharp on your CV ;o)

A friend once interviewed someone who said they had three years experience of "C hash".

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I am a specialist so long term deals not guaranteed.

Arn't we all?

[Bluenose]

Entitled much?

That's 100k per year assuming two weeks off. I've seen better rates but not exactly a chicken feed by any stretch.

I am a specialist so long term deals not guaranteed.

[gemasp]

Would you like to qualify that statement with a few unimportant snippets of information ? What's your key skill ? Where (geographically) are all these 'jobs' that you're getting phoned about ?

Sorry forgot to mention. It is C sharp, .Net, investment banking. City of London.

[Kanye]

1. Joke rates for my specialism (£400/pd)

Entitled much?

That's 100k per year assuming two weeks off. I've seen better rates but not exactly a chicken feed by any stretch.

[oscarose]

Same here but I have now stopped answering calls. Their rates seem to have gone up a lot as well. For the first time the agent stopped me from saying "Sorry, I don't work public sector" and said, hang on before you say it, the rate is a good one! And to be fair it was decent - £400/day in the midlands. That's the first time I have been called about a public sector BI role paying a decent rate.....

Looks like they have some money to burn before all the NHS changes start (maybe)...

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I've received a number of calls about NHS roles over the last few weeks - certainly more active than normal (based on the last couple of years).

Same here but I have now stopped answering calls. Their rates seem to have gone up a lot as well. For the first time the agent stopped me from saying "Sorry, I don't work public sector" and said, hang on before you say it, the rate is a good one! And to be fair it was decent - £400/day in the midlands. That's the first time I have been called about a public sector BI role paying a decent rate.....

[oscarose]

I've received a number of calls about NHS roles over the last few weeks - certainly more active than normal (based on the last couple of years).

[northernladuk]

Don't be too fussy if you need the money, that's my advice.

That has been NorthernLadyUK's motto for decades.

[cojak]

Don't be too fussy if you need the money, that's my advice.

[GeorgeB]

Not a good time to be looking for my next contract then...

[northernladuk]

when is silly season?

When even the best laid resource plans go to rat tulip :|