Reply to: Normal Response Level ?

[darmstadt]

Due to not having really worked since November due to patent problems, litigation and major software companies acting like children, I thought I had better get off my bottom and do something. Although I'm still getting paid a 4 figure retainer and expenses each month, I am bored tulipless. Therefore, I reactivated my Jobserve and Gulp accounts and started searching and applying.

First up was a position in Brussesl of which the list of software wants was exactly my arena. Of goes the CV and I sit back...and back...and back. Eventually a mail comes back to me asking my rate, availablity and do I have problems working for this certain client. I answer and wait...and wait...and wait. In the meantime the position is advertised again with a start date in 2 days time. The agency was also advertising a lot of other positions, all of which are still being advertised with start dates of over a week ago. Either full of hot air or due to being so slow are having some serious problems.

Next up was a British agency but with offices based here who had something rather good locally. Once again I had the exact skill set. For everything that happened just look at the previous agency. Tried them also for one in Switzerland and another in Germany. Basically no response

There was a nice 3 month going in the UK but there was only a 4 line description which basically said nothing so I rang the guy up for more details. He told that was all he was given and the rate was....He said he had 2 guys lined up for it already and it basically came down to the fact that I told him that the job is not what he is advertising for and that if it was then the guys he's got lined up can't be what they say they are for that price. Phone down.

4 German agencies have contacted me regarding a position which I do not have the skills for yet have secured an interview and the customer actually wants me anyway. One of these agencies was the British one which I told in no particular terms to not bother.

That weird Alchemy thing from Jobserver just sends me positions which have nothing to do with my skill set at all and all British agencies just send me jobs which also have nothing to do with my skill set. Do they read the bloody things or what?

[cojak]

I don't respond, but yet, I get contracts. I haven't a clue how that works, otherwise I'd tell you all.

I've got a month left on this contract and I haven't put my updated CV out there yet, but I've already got 3 -4 people asking me when I'm available and can they interest me in...

[Spartacus]

But I already look ten years younger

Threaded just travels to work on his bicycle at relativistic speeds and then is ten years younger compared to the ubiquitous stationary observer.

[hattra]

For a yrs income you can look ten years younger

http://www.transforminglives.co.uk/surgery.htm

Surgical Procedures for Men

Facial Surgery
Rhinoplasty
Face, Neck & Brow Lift
Ear Correction
Lip Reduction
Eyebag Removal
Cheek & Chin Implants
Removal of Moles
Contour Threadlift


Fat Removal
Tummy Tuck
Arm & Thigh Lifts
Buttock Implants
Calf Implants
Body Sculpting
Obesity Surgery
Liposoft

Obesity Surgery
Gastric Balloon
Lapband and other Obesity Surgery
Bodyplan Programme

Money well spent.

But I already look ten years younger

[Back In Business]

Or am I incorrectly assuming that companies that hire contractors are in some way organised and plan at least a month in advance?

Incorrect. From my experience most companies decide to get a contractor in once they've bolloxed something up completely. Permies tend to achieve this at any time of the year.

[DimPrawn]

For a yrs income you can look ten years younger

http://www.transforminglives.co.uk/surgery.htm

Surgical Procedures for Men

Facial Surgery
Rhinoplasty
Face, Neck & Brow Lift
Ear Correction
Lip Reduction
Eyebag Removal
Cheek & Chin Implants
Removal of Moles
Contour Threadlift


Fat Removal
Tummy Tuck
Arm & Thigh Lifts
Buttock Implants
Calf Implants
Body Sculpting
Obesity Surgery
Liposoft

Obesity Surgery
Gastric Balloon
Lapband and other Obesity Surgery
Bodyplan Programme

Money well spent.

[hattra]

how old are you then ?

51 - though naturally I look much younger

[threaded]

I don't respond, but yet, I get contracts. I haven't a clue how that works, otherwise I'd tell you all.

[The Lone Gunman]

April is start of financial year for most I guess but wouldn't that make the preceeding months (feb/mar) their recruitment time? Or am I incorrectly assuming that companies that hire contractors are in some way organised and plan at least a month in advance?

The budgets for new projects often don't get decided before EOY.

[shoes]

February/March is pre-budget time for most companies. It's always the slowest time of the year.

April is start of financial year for most I guess but wouldn't that make the preceeding months (feb/mar) their recruitment time? Or am I incorrectly assuming that companies that hire contractors are in some way organised and plan at least a month in advance?

[lukemg]

What are your skills ? I had this a few years back when what I knew just became routine work and meant any job advertised was swamped with applications.
You might need to check the job boards twice a day and make sure a carefully targetted CV and letter means you are 100% match for the job. Follow up with a call to the agent within an hour.
In addition, register CV on a few boards, in a bid to get a few more responses in.

[foritisme]

I don't put my age on the CV - maybe from that they guess I'm the wrong side of 40.

Still waiting for life to start.....maybe it's at 50 ?

[n5gooner]

I was very much the same - then one day it stopped dead. I don't suppose it could be anything to do with my age, could it?

how old are you then ?

[hattra]

I tend to get a responce on 75% of the jobs I apply for of these 75% I get about a 60% return for interview requests, I have been offered a job in about 90% of all interviews I go to....

I was very much the same - then one day it stopped dead. I don't suppose it could be anything to do with my age, could it?

[n5gooner]

I tend to get a responce on 75% of the jobs I apply for of these 75% I get about a 60% return for interview requests, I have been offered a job in about 90% of all interviews I go to....