Reply to: Java vs .Net contracts - much more .net up north?

[rashm2k]

It's not your age that's the problem. It's that 2 years in either .Net or Java isn't much and would put you way down the pecking order compared to experienced contractors. Out of interest, have you picked one to focus on or do you intend to carry on doing both?

Massive Java/Open Source fan, recently I've done quite a bit of BI work in the past two years (SQL Server, Data Warehouse - Star Schema, C# though), and in my spare time work with C++, C, Qt, Web Services etc (small amout of mobile dev work).

Given a choice Java would be what I'd continue with.

[d000hg]

Newcastle is hardly a hot bed of contract work. Outside Sage, Nomad and whatever consultancy is trying to get Java Developers in Longbenton at £200 a day there is little around.

Never looked, just assumed the techie stuff must lead to contractor roles. Sad to hear

[Bunk]

Thanks for your replies guys! I'm currently in London so potentially OK.

Whats the normal age of contractors you see/know/meet? I'm in my mid-late twenties so, don't have tonnes of experience, but I'm good at what I do. The question I'm trying to answer is 'will an employer generally not even look at me because of my age', I understand there will be exceptions, but I'd like to get a general feel of when people start.

It's not your age that's the problem. It's that 2 years in either .Net or Java isn't much and would put you way down the pecking order compared to experienced contractors. Out of interest, have you picked one to focus on or do you intend to carry on doing both?

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

You're not a .net or Java developer though are you?

I have worked in .NET but SQL/BI is my main area. I work with .NET developers all the time though and am aware of the market - I am not saying it's good or bad just that it depends on many factors whether you can get contracts up north.

[eek]

So that just goes to prove my point. In 4 years of contracting I have worked in Crewe, Wythenshawe, Knutsford (twice) and turned down about 5 other offers all within the greater Manchester area.

Even though that has been my experience I wouldn't go on to say that the North West is full of contracts. So it comes down to how far you are willing to travel within the NW, your area of work and rate expectations. Otherwise it's a case of how long is a piece of string.

You're not a .net or Java developer though are you?

[rashm2k]

Thanks for your replies guys! I'm currently in London so potentially OK.

Whats the normal age of contractors you see/know/meet? I'm in my mid-late twenties so, don't have tonnes of experience, but I'm good at what I do. The question I'm trying to answer is 'will an employer generally not even look at me because of my age', I understand there will be exceptions, but I'd like to get a general feel of when people start.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Its hardly a ridiculous statement. In 20 years of contracting I've had 1 interview in Manchester. Worked near Chester for a bit but technically that was North Wales......

So that just goes to prove my point. In 4 years of contracting I have worked in Crewe, Wythenshawe, Knutsford (twice) and turned down about 5 other offers all within the greater Manchester area.

Even though that has been my experience I wouldn't go on to say that the North West is full of contracts. So it comes down to how far you are willing to travel within the NW, your area of work and rate expectations. Otherwise it's a case of how long is a piece of string.

[eek]

That's a ridiculous statement. Firstly define what the limits of NW are and then which area of IT you are talking about.

Its hardly a ridiculous statement. In 20 years of contracting I've had 1 interview in Manchester. Worked near Chester for a bit but technically that was North Wales......

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I am from the NW myself and find it a contracting dead-zone....

That's a ridiculous statement. Firstly define what the limits of NW are and then which area of IT you are talking about.

[doodab]

Ditto here.
I live up North, but work down South.

I know a few people from the NW who do this. OK if you can WFH a couple of days a week.

[stek]

Newcastle is hardly a hot bed of contract work. Outside Sage, Nomad and whatever consultancy is trying to get Java Developers in Longbenton at £200 a day there is little around.

I was at HP on DWP in Northumberland Park last year, decent rate for Newc, been asked to go back at same for same on UC, rate is utter pants though so it was a snigger and a no.

[eek]

Newcastle has a fair amount of techie stuff going on but otherwise I'd suggest looking at Edinburgh.

Newcastle is hardly a hot bed of contract work. Outside Sage, Nomad and whatever consultancy is trying to get Java Developers in Longbenton at £200 a day there is little around.

[d000hg]

Newcastle has a fair amount of techie stuff going on but otherwise I'd suggest looking at Edinburgh.

[Pogle]

I am from the NW myself and find it a contracting dead-zone....

Ditto here.
I live up North, but work down South.

[stek]

Ok guys I take your point, they're not to be trusted as far as you can throw them.

But how about the other question? Do you guys who work in the NW find Java or .Net roles easier to find?

I am from the NW myself and find it a contracting dead-zone....