Software developers?

[HairyArsedBloke]

Unemployment is predicted reach a peak of 3.4 million by the middle of 2010. Therefore, things will not really start to improve until that time,....

Er, yeah.

[BrilloPad]

Hi All,

I was wondering should I start contracting in London. I've been working for a couple years(six to be precise) as a permanent. And now despite the tough market I'm thinking about going for a contract.

Can anyone share experiences with a newbie to contracts and let me know what to watch for? Which agencies to avoid and so on.

I went through uk contractor guide but it's always best to hear some news from the source.

Thanks
Jedrzej

What skilset are you? What research have you done into possible gigs?

[Cyberman]

Ok so I just picked a random figure out. But how long can this crunch/crisis go on for? Its birth was in 2007 (I think, if not late 2006), so in 9mths its October/November, so if they don't start investing/recruiting before October/November then its not going to happen much until April 2010.

Unemployment is already just under 2 million, predicted to be 3 million by the end of the year. These figures don't include the likes of contractors who have been on the bench for months, some nearing 12 mths. If things don't pick up this year and unemployment reaches 4 million+ in 2010 then the way GB dishes out benefits and 'bank loans/bailouts', etc, then there won't be much money left to go around in late 2010 2011. Things HAVE to turn around soon.

Lets all say it together.. "I Believe... I Believe..."

Unemployment is predicted reach a peak of 3.4 million by the middle of 2010. Therefore, things will not really start to improve until that time, unfortunately. That coincidentally coincides with Tory election victory IMO with the poll predicted to be 3rd June.
If Gordon called an early election it would be far better for everyone, but due to his ego he will hang on until we are all in deepest doo-doo.

[swamp]

Actually I think London can suffer more than most places in a market downturn. There are huge numbers of contract workers here, so a slight downwards shift can see many people without chairs when the music stops, and it can be chaotic.

On the other hand, if you're prepared to work in the arse end of nowhere there may not be so many candidates at hand. A friend started contracting in the doom days of early 2003 in Fleet. He lived in a caravan I believe, as the rate wasn't great, but he was happy!

[robbie274]

That's actually well difficult to judge. Not only have you got to figure out when the downturn will bottom out (with all the variables associated with that, like having a incompetent dork running government policy)...but you have to figure out when companies are going to start thinking about investing again - which will probably be way before the media cotton on to it, and possibly before the downturn bottoms out. At that point, contractor vacancies should start appearing.

I would put all the months from Jan 2010 on a dart board and chuck a dart at it. You've probably just as big a chance of being right as doing an in depth economic analysis.

Ok so I just picked a random figure out. But how long can this crunch/crisis go on for? Its birth was in 2007 (I think, if not late 2006), so in 9mths its October/November, so if they don't start investing/recruiting before October/November then its not going to happen much until April 2010.

Unemployment is already just under 2 million, predicted to be 3 million by the end of the year. These figures don't include the likes of contractors who have been on the bench for months, some nearing 12 mths. If things don't pick up this year and unemployment reaches 4 million+ in 2010 then the way GB dishes out benefits and 'bank loans/bailouts', etc, then there won't be much money left to go around in late 2010 2011. Things HAVE to turn around soon.

Lets all say it together.. "I Believe... I Believe..."

[Rookie]

That's actually well difficult to judge. Not only have you got to figure out when the downturn will bottom out (with all the variables associated with that, like having a incompetent dork running government policy)...but you have to figure out when companies are going to start thinking about investing again - which will probably be way before the media cotton on to it, and possibly before the downturn bottoms out. At that point, contractor vacancies should start appearing.

I would put all the months from Jan 2010 on a dart board and chuck a dart at it. You've probably just as big a chance of being right as doing an in depth economic analysis.

You also have to think about the current (over)supply of contractors in the market and the associated demand for the roles. Link this with the type of industry the role is in and the nature of the role, whether it's mainly project or support based, combined with your own abilities too. Seems that lots of contractors are going for very few roles.

As you say, a lot of variables.

[PM-Junkie]

hell no. Its just my crappy guess of when things will be stable again

That's actually well difficult to judge. Not only have you got to figure out when the downturn will bottom out (with all the variables associated with that, like having a incompetent dork running government policy)...but you have to figure out when companies are going to start thinking about investing again - which will probably be way before the media cotton on to it, and possibly before the downturn bottoms out. At that point, contractor vacancies should start appearing.

I would put all the months from Jan 2010 on a dart board and chuck a dart at it. You've probably just as big a chance of being right as doing an in depth economic analysis.

[robbie274]

Is his missus pregnant then?

hell no. Its just my crappy guess of when things will be stable again

[swamp]

Which agencies to avoid and so on.

Agencies in England are best avoided.

[Chugnut]

...and don't worry about the low number of contracts advertised, there is only a few (hundred) devs going for each role.

If you've leaving your permie job due to redundancy then fine, try and give it a go but don't expect much action in the next 9 months.

Is his missus pregnant then?

[robbie274]

Yes, its a great time to start. Try looking here: http://www.jobserve.com/

All the best and good luck.

...and don't worry about the low number of contracts advertised, there is only a few (hundred) devs going for each role.

If you've leaving your permie job due to redundancy then fine, try and give it a go but don't expect much action in the next 9 months.

[Rookie]

Hi All,

I was wondering should I start contracting in London. I've been working for a couple years(six to be precise) as a permanent. And now despite the tough market I'm thinking about going for a contract.

Can anyone share experiences with a newbie to contracts and let me know what to watch for? Which agencies to avoid and so on.

I went through uk contractor guide but it's always best to hear some news from the source.

Thanks
Jedrzej

Yes, its a great time to start. Try looking here: http://www.jobserve.com/

All the best and good luck.

[lightng]

Its been said before. Now isn't a good time for contracting. I would wait a year.

[Jedrzej]

Hi All,

I was wondering should I start contracting in London. I've been working for a couple years(six to be precise) as a permanent. And now despite the tough market I'm thinking about going for a contract.

Can anyone share experiences with a newbie to contracts and let me know what to watch for? Which agencies to avoid and so on.

I went through uk contractor guide but it's always best to hear some news from the source.

Thanks
Jedrzej