• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

  • You are not logged in. If you are already registered, fill in the form below to log in, or follow the "Sign Up" link to register a new account.
  • You may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
  • If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

Previously on "Java vs .Net contracts - much more .net up north?"

Collapse

  • rashm2k
    replied
    Originally posted by Bunk View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • d000hg
    replied
    Originally posted by eek View Post
    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

    Leave a comment:


  • Bunk
    replied
    Originally posted by rashm2k View Post
    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?

    Leave a comment:


  • NorthWestPerm2Contr
    replied
    Originally posted by eek View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • eek
    replied
    Originally posted by NorthWestPerm2Contr View Post
    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?

    Leave a comment:


  • rashm2k
    replied
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • NorthWestPerm2Contr
    replied
    Originally posted by eek View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • eek
    replied
    Originally posted by NorthWestPerm2Contr View Post
    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......

    Leave a comment:


  • NorthWestPerm2Contr
    replied
    Originally posted by stek View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • doodab
    replied
    Originally posted by Pogle View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • stek
    replied
    Originally posted by eek View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • eek
    replied
    Originally posted by d000hg View Post
    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.

    Leave a comment:


  • d000hg
    replied
    Newcastle has a fair amount of techie stuff going on but otherwise I'd suggest looking at Edinburgh.

    Leave a comment:


  • Pogle
    replied
    Originally posted by stek View Post
    I am from the NW myself and find it a contracting dead-zone....
    Ditto here.
    I live up North, but work down South.

    Leave a comment:


  • stek
    replied
    Originally posted by rashm2k View Post
    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....

    Leave a comment:

Working...
X