Reply to: So, how's the recession for you?

[clickuk]

My first exposure to Bobs or the indian offshore industry was back in 2001 when our whole IS dept in EMEA was offshored (California based tech co.) and we were give an option to join the Bob company or take the redundancy package.... The ironic thing was the SVP at the team who initiated this was was also a Bob (he started out a programmer when he first moved to the US) but had essentially become a BRAD (as climbed the ranks to to become the SVP of a fortune 500) was a $millionaire on paper !!!

Anyways for me I took the redundancy package and took a leap of faith in contracting and have not looked back since! So if it were not for Bob and Brad I would still be forced into doing my personal development plan each year and getting mugged into thinking the 1% raise that I got was something I should be thankful for!

[redgiant]

We'll I went into contracting during the recession (having quit my perm job at the end of 2010) so I haven't seen what it's like when things are booming. The market in my niche has been quiet since early November so I've been doing shorter contracts both inside and outside my niche since then working from home which has been a good change.

This week I accepted a 4 day a week PM contract working via a huge software vendor for a large law firm client that's only 20mins from home and can be flexible working too after a few weeks. So this still gives me some time to work on plans B & C and maintain some of the short term contracts I've been doing.

Just what I needed before heading off to the mountains this weekend BOOM!

[Old Hack]

Doesn't that mean he is not really a 'bob'?

He still brings food with him for lunch and eats with his fingers with a wrap. I might start referring to him as a Robert.

[Andy2]

There are a handful of excellent higher education institutions in India, but like I said their grads go to work in the US for the likes of Google, Koontface and Twatter.

Spot on. These companies hire them for 100k+ starting salary just after graduation.
US is the first choice for most.

[MyUserName]

Also, hold the front page, I am working alongside a bob who knows his stuff. Quite refreshing. For the first time ever, also, his English is spot on, enunciation perfect.

Doesn't that mean he is not really a 'bob'?

[Old Hack]

I've never been busier, to be honest, and the calls are still coming thick and fast.

Also, hold the front page, I am working alongside a bob who knows his stuff. Quite refreshing. For the first time ever, also, his English is spot on, enunciation perfect.

[Malcolm Buggeridge]

Is this the way they massage the figures these days, more people doing part time work or what?

Of course one argument has it that a substantial proportion of the working age population in past recessions is now of retirement age i.e. there are fewer people to actually be unemployed.

This, they argue, is the reason why we need all those furriners over here.

[eek]

Is this the way they massage the figures these days, more people doing part time work or what?

For many people the only jobs available are part time and if you work less than 14 hours you don't really lose out.

Plus many service industry companies like a lot of short hour workers as it gives them a lot of flexibility if people are ill.

[wurzel]

Interesting graphic in today's Telegraph illustrating the current rate of recovery vs that of previous recessions.



Says it all really but the thing I don't understand is how the rate of unemployment has stayed so relatively low.

Is this the way they massage the figures these days, more people doing part time work or what?

[SandyD]

Back to the original topic, I think there are some contracts out there but rates are lower, I got offered 3 roles in the last 2 months one contract which I wanted to take originally, but the agency messed up big time, the other two are permie. Decided to take one of the permie roles as it offered a good salary and an area of expertise am after. We'll see how long I last

[MyUserName]

Of course, but Bob refers to mass body shopped, poorly trained, over egged CV - rookies, used to replace much more experienced locals, where the client is only interested in the cheapest solution possible. Often these "Bobs" are from India as they specialise in this type of business model.

There are some brilliant Indian IT pros, but they tend to be well paid, well trained experienced types, making good money.

Agreed.

[Mich the Tester]

Of course, but Bob refers to mass body shopped, poorly trained, over egged CV - rookies, used to replace much more experienced locals, where the client is only interested in the cheapest solution possible. Often these "Bobs" are from India as they specialise in this type of business model.

There are some brilliant Indian IT pros, but they tend to be well paid, well trained experienced types, making good money.

problem

But otherwise, whs.

[DimPrawn]

The best Indian programmers are, in practical terms, no different to the best programmers of any other nationality.

Of course, but Bob refers to mass body shopped, poorly trained, over egged CV - rookies, used to replace much more experienced locals, where the client is only interested in the cheapest solution possible. Often these "Bobs" are from India as they specialise in this type of business model.

There are some brilliant Indian IT pros, but they tend to be well paid, well trained experienced types, making good money.

[doodab]

We need a name for a good Indian - although as I indicated its the US who needs that name more than us.

Tonto?

[MyUserName]

The best Indian programmers are, in practical terms, no different to the best programmers of any other nationality.