Reply to: How long doing another tech before agents/clients will disregard you?

[The Spartan]

Not sure where you're going with this, so I'll tip my hat and move along.

No offence intended, it's more a point that there is no one size to fit all solutions seeing as each field differs somewhat significantly from another. On the one hand you roles where certification means something and others where it's basically balls.

[darrylmg]

If anything it shows that you know how to test incorrectly, it's not very highly regarded in the test community and is seen more as something to wipe your rear with.

Not sure where you're going with this, so I'll tip my hat and move along.

[The Spartan]

But you have to agree, it does prove you're still interested in a certain technology.

If anything it shows that you know how to test incorrectly, it's not very highly regarded in the test community and is seen more as something to wipe your rear with.

[darrylmg]

With testing a certification doesn't prove much to be honest, it's pretty easy to convey what projects you've worked on though.

But you have to agree, it does prove you're still interested in a certain technology.

[The Spartan]

It's just a method of providing a good response to the old "so what have you been doing during your time since your last contract",
Or proving that you're still interested in certain technology.

With testing a certification doesn't prove much to be honest, it's pretty easy to convey what projects you've worked on though.

[darrylmg]

I'm really glad Certification in my field counts for tulip.

It's just a method of providing a good response to the old "so what have you been doing during your time since your last contract",
Or proving that you're still interested in certain technology.

I actually agree with the Op on this.
I do A = SAP BASIS
and B = DBA (Oracle / SQL Server).

Primary skill is SAP, but I'm willing to fall back on DBA skills if required. However SAP contracts pay more.
Both skills complement each other, but if you've been only doing DBA stuff recently, then I can see how agents could get a little wary.
The way the BASIS contract market is at the moment, I wouldn't be surprised if anyone had to take a contract doing something else.

With regards to agents being picky, well they're always like that.
Problem with my kind of work is that the tech experience is the skill and that is constantly changing and can be found in a myriad of guises, versions and platforms. Which makes agents very specific for what they need.
Guys doing PM work or TA/SA work don't need to worry about the tech specifics as much.

[speling bee]

A - Contracting
B - Claiming JSA

A - Whining
B - Claiming JSA

[northernladuk]

What is A and B?

Split has been pretty much 65/35 A-B

A - Contracting
B - Claiming JSA

[GazCol]

What is A and B?

A = Cleaning
B = Dry-cleaning

[GillsMan]

I offer two services, let's call them A and B. Actually, let's call them by their proper names (no idea why you don't want to reveal your technologies): A = e-learning development. B = Learning Management System (where e-learning gets hosted) consultancy. The two are very different skills, and you wouldn't expect someone good at A to be good at B.

I've never had any issues securing work in B when the last year has been made up of A, or vice versa. I really haven't. I've no idea why you have such a problem with this.

Do you need to rethink your CV when going for roles in A or B? Can you not say that you've been doing work for your LtdCo on the side during the last six months? If you've not done any client work, then just say you're under NDA. If you have the knowledge then why are you letting a gap in your CV get in the way of securing work? I don't get it?

[The Spartan]

Basically, for the last 25 years been doing two technologies - A and B. Both similar but different if you know what I mean. Split has been pretty much 65/35 A-B

Over the years, most of my roles (perm and contract) have been a mixture of both. Some just A, some just B. Generally I prefer A (and it pays more).

More recently I've been doing roles that are either 90% B or completely B. Trouble is I've found that now agencies are not keen if I apply for A roles since I've been out of it for about 6 months now.

Seems nuts to me. 20+ years experience - I aint gonna suddenly be useless because I've done something different for 6 months!

Anyone else encounter? Any way around this - apart from desperately trying to get a contract with A?

Must admit tempted to pay for certification exams for A.

What is A and B?

[The Spartan]

Do some certification in B and just say to agents, that you're clearly not losing it as you studied for and got certificate X in B.

I'm really glad Certification in my field counts for tulip.

[northernladuk]

NLUK - You appear to know it all it seems....

Far from it as I prove endlessly but I do see a pattern in ALL your posts and it seems to concern everyone but you apparently messing about and being unprofessional.

[psychocandy]

NLUK - You appear to know it all it seems....

[northernladuk]

Yeh I know. Part of the problem is the clients I guess. There's a tendency to want EVERYTHING if they're paying for a contractor sometimes. The Van Driver wanted - must have experience of Red vans.

And what is wrong with that? I bloody would if I am paying that amount of money.

Extension of this is must have RECENT experience. Like your last gig must have been doing exactly the same.

Seems fair enough. There are more than enough people that have it. Why not accept that and stop whining?

I just find it nuts sometimes that they focus so heavily on your last gig. It seems sometimes that they'd rather get someone in who did exactly the same for the last 3 months, rather than someone whos got 20 years experience doing similar.

And dont even get me started on clients picking people purely on cheapness!

That's because you haven't got a clue about your clients or your agents, how they work, what they want etc etc. You just think about it all from your point of view.

It's pretty clear that as have moaned about nearly everything to do with clients and agents that the problem lies a lot close to home. Have you ever sat down and actually thought about your attitude to it all? It's hard to self critique but surely it's much easier than been constantly unhappy and feeling like you are being dumped on by agents and clients when really they are just doing what they do which happens to be more or less the same everywhere?