Reply to: Lowering salaries - it's the end of IT as we know it (and I feel fine)

[Andy2]

Oracle dba jobs seem to have completely disappeared

I am on the bench since 3 months

[SupremeSpod]

Real world inflation has gone up big time recently, so effectively rates dropped.

That has got to be this week's "No Sh!t Sherlock" winner.

Flash of the bleeding obvious time again, eh AtW?

[AtW]

Real world inflation has gone up big time recently, so effectively rates dropped.

[pastalista]

Lower rates

Hi All

I've been a contractor for 28 years and have seen the skyrocketing rates and the nosediving rates thing a few times now (end of the 80's / early 90's, post 09/11 etc) and this is following the same pattern.

Rates have been good for quite a while - obviously this is not from a detailed study, just local knowledge, friends, people I know in the recruitment business and big consultancy firms and so on but they did drop a bit last year. They seem to be climbing, slowly again now but I think it will be a while before we are back to anything like a "seller's market".

The big six consultancy firms are about to have their throats cut by the Government and have already taken some hits. They are laying people off and these folks are desperate to work, hence rates and salaries begin to fall. As these people clear off the market, rates will go back up again.

I myself am earning the lowest rate I've had since 1998 but that is partly for other reasons (a job I really wanted and love, close to home, "company" car (yes, as a contractor!) but I do get called about jobs on the kind of rates I was earning a couple of years ago. I am a Programme Director and my usual rates are between £800 and £1200 per day depending on the usual things. I am getting calls for jobs around £900 - £1000 a day again now, although not as many as I used to get (maybe 1 a week before, now maybe 1 a month).

We'll get there again, don't worry.

Good luck all

[cojak]

It's better out there than it was at the beginning of the year.

Rates are still depressed, but the work is out there and the jobs are on jobserve.

And I'm not seeing ludicrous rates of £120pd for my roles.

I finished my contract last Friday and I've had my first interview yesterday. I didn't manage a single interview in 5 months in the 1st half of the year.

[Lockhouse]

WHS.

I have been on the same rate, give or take, since I started contracting 12 years ago.

So either I'm being shafted big time, and agents are cackling with glee behind my back, or there has been a steady decline in real terms.

As most contractors I've discussed this with agree, I'd say the latter (er, my latter your fatter) is more likely.

This is most definitely the case. I'm on a fair old wedge, but it's the same fair old wedge I was on about 10 years ago for doing the same role when it was a great wedge. It's no different for permies - I was asked to go permanent at an Inv Bank in 1997 for 85K as a developer and turned it down. The salary wouldn't be much different today. Globalisation innit.

[gingerjedi]

WHS.

I have been on the same rate, give or take, since I started contracting 12 years ago.

So either I'm being shafted big time, and agents are cackling with glee behind my back, or there has been a steady decline in real terms.

As most contractors I've discussed this with agree, I'd say the latter (er, my latter your fatter) is more likely.

You must be a right thicko, have you not heard of the OU?

HTH but IDI

Sasguru

[OwlHoot]

IMO the rates are lower

compared to when I started contracting by the second year I was on 100k. I am still on the same rate even though I am now older, fatter and more experienced. Based on both of the former I should be on another 30%

WHS.

I have been on the same rate, give or take, since I started contracting 12 years ago.

So either I'm being shafted big time, and agents are cackling with glee behind my back, or there has been a steady decline in real terms.

As most contractors I've discussed this with agree, I'd say the latter (er, my latter your fatter) is more likely.

[Mich the Tester]

Hmm, suicide or a lifetime of golf. Tough call.

Golf is like watching grass grow and getting tired while you're at it. I'd choose the gallows.

[SupremeSpod]

I will be out in Jan to give you some training

Have you washed many elephants?

[doodab]

Go on. Be a twat.

Hmm, suicide or a lifetime of golf. Tough call.

[SupremeSpod]

Thanks for the training material!

Added to CV.

Btw, those f**kers are bigger than me, and better behaved...

[alreadypacked]

I'm going working for accenture in India.

I will be out in Jan to give you some training

[Mich the Tester]

I must admit to not having researched that role properly...

[SupremeSpod]

There much call for that?

I must admit to not having researched that role properly...