Swamped by calls for permie rolls

[Spacecadet]

I have been applying for contract roles for a couple of weeks now, without much success. I appreciate the market is not exactly the friendliest at the moment, and this is early days for me, etc.

I also applied for some permie roles very recently. I didn't even bother calling up those agencies after applying, something I have been doing for the contract roles. And now I am absolutely flooded with calls from them !

Why is there such a difference? I'd really like to get a contract, so what am I doing wrong?

The CV is the same, the job roles are the same. The reception totally different !

Thanks.

How much contracting have you done?

if it's 6 months or less or just 1 contract then you'll still look like someone who contracts to fill a gap between permie jobs.

IMO: If you don't want a permanent position then stop applying for them, unless you're willing to make your mind up between perm/contract then the market will make it for you

[swamp]

What is a 'permie roll'? Is it like a sausage roll?

[northernladuk]

Given your CV is the same for both, it may be your contracting cv is not up to scratch - mine is a completely different format for contracts, and normally very closely matching the skills listing of the job I'm applying for. There is a guide somewhere (probably on the first timers link) which may help you if you think that might be the case.

Totally what he said. When applying for a permie role they are looking for the right person, someone that is adaptable, trainable and can become an asset to the company as it changes and grows. They need someone that can get on in a team etc.

Contracting you need to do a single role as an expert in that field. Completely different set of criteria and the way you set your CV out makes the difference as to which of those two types of roles you can do.

Do a search here on the forum about CV's. There are some huge debates as to what you put on your CV and how you tailor to each role, just make sure you ignore the one about the guy with a 10 page CV (thats my opinion anyway). It's all on here somewhere.

[Jaws]

Given your CV is the same for both, it may be your contracting cv is not up to scratch - mine is a completely different format for contracts, and normally very closely matching the skills listing of the job I'm applying for. There is a guide somewhere (probably on the first timers link) which may help you if you think that might be the case.

[bf2]

Thanks.

So is there anything else I should be doing for the contract roles? I am totally flexible about travelling. I call up the agents after submitting the CV and have a good chat, etc.

Funnily enough the permie roles are not anywhere near where I live. That's obviously not deterring them.

[northernladuk]

I am sure you would find the reception is totally different here if you posted in the right forum as well.

Getting a contract is a totally different kettle of fish to getting a permanent role. Contract roles you are a business looking to do work for another business, permie is getting a body in to do a role for a business. The fact you do the same work is almost irrelavant. Contract roles can be filled in less than two days and they want people that can hit the ground running and people filling these roles will travel for 100's of miles. Typical response to a standard PM contract role can eb in the 100's of CV's in the first day. Perm role tends to need someone who is good person, can be an asset to the company and from a very small radius so not many takers so they have to push harder.

[bf2]

I have been applying for contract roles for a couple of weeks now, without much success. I appreciate the market is not exactly the friendliest at the moment, and this is early days for me, etc.

I also applied for some permie roles very recently. I didn't even bother calling up those agencies after applying, something I have been doing for the contract roles. And now I am absolutely flooded with calls from them !

Why is there such a difference? I'd really like to get a contract, so what am I doing wrong?

The CV is the same, the job roles are the same. The reception totally different !

Thanks.