Reply to: What's your favourite techniques for finding new contracts

[GB9]

Seem to be fewer jobs advertised on jobs boiards this week too

[BolshieBastard]

Can you just remind me of the last time the market wasn't difficult?

Last year, I had 5 interviews for roles paying 300 a day or better and got an offer on all five. End of January last year, I'd been contacted about a role, had a interview against 4 other people (hiring manager confirmed this to me when I started) and was working.

In comparison with this year, I've only been contacted about phish quests despite sending off loads of applications. The rates on offer seem to be 60 quid a day down too. The market in my specialism is to all intents and purposes, dead.

When I've spoken to a number of agents, they all say the same thing. They dont have any contracts or if they do, they have the odd one or two. The agents also say clients do not seem to be looking for contractors right now and are instead seemingly only looking at permies.

I agree the market is peaks and troughs and can vary location to location and specialism to specialism. But, imo, the market is very difficult right now.

[Sausage Surprise]

Can you just remind me of the last time the market wasn't difficult?

Antediluvian Bobus

[MyUserName]

Can you just remind me of the last time the market wasn't difficult?

Early 2000s for me - seemed to walk from job to job, agents always had multiple jobs to throw my way etc. Although that might have been because I was a lot more junior them and it was before offshoring seemed to really catch on

[eek]

Can you just remind me of the last time the market wasn't difficult?

1999?

[Ignis Fatuus]

I would drop your rate or perhaps try pemie, the market is very difficult at the moment.

Can you just remind me of the last time the market wasn't difficult?

[nomadd]

Step-1: Find a contract.
Step-2: If you did not find a contract, go to step 1.

Step-1: Find a contract.
Step-2: If you did not find a contract, add your rant/moan to the "How's the market?" thread on CUK.
Step 3: Go to step 1.

FTFY.

[istvan]

Ok here goes... I will now reveal all my secrets that have so far been able to land me good contracts with good rates. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don't mind giving these secrets away because I believe in the knowledge being spread around. My techniques are award winning, have been highly regarded in the national press, and been practiced by thousands upon thousands of contractors worldwide.

Just follow this link and all will be revealed:

http://www.contractorsecrets.co.uk

If your web browser says "website unavailable", just keep retrying. It's probably busy due to all the other high earners using it to make a shed load of cash

Great! Thanks! Excellent web-site, I learned a lot. I like especially the flow chart on how to go by finding a contract. In summary:

Step-1: Find a contract.
Step-2: If you did not find a contract, go to step 1.

[Vandalay]

If you're really desperate it's pretty easy to pawn yourself on linkedin and build up a network of agents. Having said that I've since changed my mobile number because of the sheer number of (often useless) calls from agents.

I've also referred quite a few people for roles who have been successfully placed. Agent then always remembers me and calls me about new roles in my niche.

And that's the other tip - don't be generic about your skillset. Have a niche, and sell yourself as an expert in it.

[bless 'em all]

I simply make sure I'm the last to be interviewed for the role.

A small wave of my hand, coupled with the words "They were not the contractor you are looking for" and the gigs mine.

Alex.

[SueEllen]

Just follow this link and all will be revealed:

http://www.contractorsecrets.co.uk

If your web browser says "website unavailable", just keep retrying. It's probably busy due to all the other high earners using it to make a shed load of cash

Just because you are retiring really early in life doesn't mean you should give out all the secrets you told me to everyone.

[ThomserveBAS]

Just follow this link and all will be revealed:

http://www.contractorsecrets.co.uk

If your web browser says "website unavailable", just keep retrying. It's probably busy due to all the other high earners using it to make a shed load of cash

You should charge a subscription fee for this kind of information - you'd be coining it in more than being a lowly contractor!

[Ketchup]

Ok here goes... I will now reveal all my secrets that have so far been able to land me good contracts with good rates. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don't mind giving these secrets away because I believe in the knowledge being spread around. My techniques are award winning, have been highly regarded in the national press, and been practiced by thousands upon thousands of contractors worldwide.

Just follow this link and all will be revealed:

http://www.contractorsecrets.co.uk

If your web browser says "website unavailable", just keep retrying. It's probably busy due to all the other high earners using it to make a shed load of cash

Wow, This is amazing, i never thought of some of the ideas on that site

[BlasterBates]

I would drop your rate or perhaps try pemie, the market is very difficult at the moment.

[northernladuk]

How experienced are you?

Build a network and and an excellent reputation and you will get calls all the time for work.

Write a blog, write a couple of books, speak at conventions

Ask people you know who are consulting what they did.

Write a book? To get contracts. New sockie please. This one has gone way past believable.