IT job market - how long to find a job?
08 February 2002, 09:02 PM
#1
12 years as a contractor, wow, you must be worth some dosh!
there are jobs out there, I work in a small company, and Im making NO offers, but we are always looking - you never know when a companies requirements may change, ours do a lot. the best way in is ofcourse networking with others/ knowing someone to give you a foot in the door. Thats why going out and socialising at work is the most important part about your job.
[Edited by ADP - 8/2/2002 9:02:23 PM]
there are jobs out there, I work in a small company, and Im making NO offers, but we are always looking - you never know when a companies requirements may change, ours do a lot. the best way in is ofcourse networking with others/ knowing someone to give you a foot in the door. Thats why going out and socialising at work is the most important part about your job.
[Edited by ADP - 8/2/2002 9:02:23 PM]
24 July 2002, 01:45 PM
#2
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Hi,
I am just about to be made redundat (I think) and so will be looking for a new job. With the IT market being in a bit of a state at the moment, I wondered if anyone had being in a similar situation. If so how long did it take you to find a new job, if you have? Ideally I am wanting to do developpment work, and have experience in C++ and Java.
Anyother advice would be appreciated as this is the first time it has happened to me (first proper job).
Cheers
Chris
I am just about to be made redundat (I think) and so will be looking for a new job. With the IT market being in a bit of a state at the moment, I wondered if anyone had being in a similar situation. If so how long did it take you to find a new job, if you have? Ideally I am wanting to do developpment work, and have experience in C++ and Java.
Anyother advice would be appreciated as this is the first time it has happened to me (first proper job).
Cheers
Chris
24 July 2002, 01:57 PM
#3
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The market is bad at the moment, very bad.
It doesn't seem to matter how much experience you have or what skills you have, nobody is interested in recruiting.
Even if you can find a position you will be competing with dozens/hundreds of others and the potential employer will use this to reduce the salary/package to a much lower one than you are accustomed to (most likely).
Hopefully it will pickup soon.
I am aware of at least 6 people (all highly skilled and who used to be seen as the creme de la creme at their job, all with >10 years experience, Systems Architects in Unix and with loads of product experience to their name) who have been unemployed for over 9 months now.
One has given up trying to find IT work and is selling up and moving to France. The others are either lucky enough to have some savings left and living off that or are in a very sorry state.
For now at least it seems like the IT world is dying off.
Good luck in your job hunt, but you might be better off taking up another non IT position until the market sorts itself out.
It doesn't seem to matter how much experience you have or what skills you have, nobody is interested in recruiting.
Even if you can find a position you will be competing with dozens/hundreds of others and the potential employer will use this to reduce the salary/package to a much lower one than you are accustomed to (most likely).
Hopefully it will pickup soon.
I am aware of at least 6 people (all highly skilled and who used to be seen as the creme de la creme at their job, all with >10 years experience, Systems Architects in Unix and with loads of product experience to their name) who have been unemployed for over 9 months now.
One has given up trying to find IT work and is selling up and moving to France. The others are either lucky enough to have some savings left and living off that or are in a very sorry state.
For now at least it seems like the IT world is dying off.
Good luck in your job hunt, but you might be better off taking up another non IT position until the market sorts itself out.
24 July 2002, 02:43 PM
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Sorry to here you may be soon out of a job.
Well the outlook looks a bit c**p for me then as I'm studying C at the moment, and my hopes of a well paid job, with loads of opportunitys seems not to be the case......bugger.
Good luck.
N
Well the outlook looks a bit c**p for me then as I'm studying C at the moment, and my hopes of a well paid job, with loads of opportunitys seems not to be the case......bugger.
Good luck.
N
24 July 2002, 02:54 PM
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As Sheepsplitter said, the market is absolutely dire right now and is unlikely to change much for a few months.
Firstly, I would recommend signing on the dole the first day you are without work. You may get a job straight away, but you also might be out of work for months.
I would also recommend keeping your hand in technically. It's surprising how much you forget if you don't use something for a while.
When you register at IT Recruitment agencies, be flexible - be prepared to work as a permie or contractor, in a wider geographical area than you would normally, consider roles you wouldn't normally (like support instead of development), and don't try and hold out for a certain salary range. It's better to be earning half what you were earning before than nothing.
I'm sorry if all my advice assumes you will take a while to get a (crap) job, but I also know some very talented IT people who have been out of work for anything up to a year.
Firstly, I would recommend signing on the dole the first day you are without work. You may get a job straight away, but you also might be out of work for months.
I would also recommend keeping your hand in technically. It's surprising how much you forget if you don't use something for a while.
When you register at IT Recruitment agencies, be flexible - be prepared to work as a permie or contractor, in a wider geographical area than you would normally, consider roles you wouldn't normally (like support instead of development), and don't try and hold out for a certain salary range. It's better to be earning half what you were earning before than nothing.
I'm sorry if all my advice assumes you will take a while to get a (crap) job, but I also know some very talented IT people who have been out of work for anything up to a year.
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24 July 2002, 03:27 PM
#8
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Chris , drop me an email as to what youre after, am a recruitment consultant, its bad out their but will try and see what i can do 4 u , i know a couple of companies looking for C++ in Hampshire.
Have sent you an email aswell
YHM.
cheers
Have sent you an email aswell
YHM.
cheers
24 July 2002, 04:35 PM
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ADP: Many of the jobs advertised on Jobserve are duplicate adverts my different agencies. Also many agencies advertise postitions that don't exist, just to get you to call them, so then they can ask details about where you are currently and get further contacts. Your assumption about many people applying for the jobs is correct. I spoke to an agent last week who had 3400+ email responses to one add! It was so many and so soon after the ad was placed on Jobserve that it crashed their email server!
24 July 2002, 10:25 PM
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Market is terrible at the moment - works both ways though, I managed to hire a team of 6 for less than the expected price of 4 
(speaking as a contractor myself it isn't good news though).
You can drop me a CV and I'll ask around, but to be honest we don't have anything in development at the moment, so chances are limited
(and it would be work in Swindon - not sure if thats any good to you)
Personally I expect my next job won't be an IT contract, currently trying to get enough money together now to further investigate some of my own idea!! (probably just end up spending it on the skyline though)
Jon
(contractor in work at the moment - though current job would have payed at least 50% more 18months ago
)
(speaking as a contractor myself it isn't good news though).You can drop me a CV and I'll ask around, but to be honest we don't have anything in development at the moment, so chances are limited
(and it would be work in Swindon - not sure if thats any good to you)Personally I expect my next job won't be an IT contract, currently trying to get enough money together now to further investigate some of my own idea!! (probably just end up spending it on the skyline though
)Jon
(contractor in work at the moment - though current job would have payed at least 50% more 18months ago
)
24 July 2002, 11:16 PM
#13
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I finished a contract in May. Took two months of looking and three interviews to find something (Web dev, ASP etc).
Perm at the moment and staying put (and skint!) for the forseable future!
Perm at the moment and staying put (and skint!) for the forseable future!
25 July 2002, 02:21 PM
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I'm a C/C++ developer with 8 years experience, and I've been looking for 6 months!.
Contracts seem to be impossible to get, so I'm concentrating on perm.
The story is always the same. You go for a £30K job, and you don't get it because someone else has more experience. You go for a £25K job, and you've got too much experience, so they think you'll do a runner after a few months.
Bearing in mind I was on over £60K contracting, and that graduates get 25K, I think the most employers think Christmas has come early.
Vast numbers of people out there, and very few vacancies.
Contracts seem to be impossible to get, so I'm concentrating on perm.
The story is always the same. You go for a £30K job, and you don't get it because someone else has more experience. You go for a £25K job, and you've got too much experience, so they think you'll do a runner after a few months.
Bearing in mind I was on over £60K contracting, and that graduates get 25K, I think the most employers think Christmas has come early.
Vast numbers of people out there, and very few vacancies.
25 July 2002, 03:15 PM
#16
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Polarbearit,
apologies if I got you name wrong, thanks for the offer, once I am happy with it I will send it on.
mark,
If you mean me (hopefully) I am looking around the reading area ideally, although I don't mind travelling a bit.
Cheers
Chris
apologies if I got you name wrong, thanks for the offer, once I am happy with it I will send it on.
mark,
If you mean me (hopefully) I am looking around the reading area ideally, although I don't mind travelling a bit.
Cheers
Chris
25 July 2002, 03:26 PM
#17
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If you mean me (hopefully) I am looking around the reading area ideally
25 July 2002, 04:50 PM
#18
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MarkO: Which areas are you suggesting have plenty of jobs?
In my experience the entire IT market is going through a depression. Please enlighten us with the locations we should be job hunting!
In my experience the entire IT market is going through a depression. Please enlighten us with the locations we should be job hunting!
25 July 2002, 04:53 PM
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I never suggested there were loads of jobs. I was merely implying that some areas have more jobs than others, so when somebody in Hull says that he's been looking for a job for 6 months without success, it's a totally different thing to somebody in the City of London saying the same thing.
25 July 2002, 05:08 PM
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OK, but the point is that I know plenty of very good people who are out of work and have been looking in the City of London and the South in general for in excess of 6 months. They are highly skilled, highly trained and have been in very high demand until this recent decline. Most have worked for in excess of 10 years in the industry and prior to the current climate were able to command very high salarys or daily rates. Now they are unable to find employement, even though they have reduced their salary/daily rate requirement to market (or less) rates.
I think it's very easy when your in a job to say there are jobs out there, not so easy if your looking for one.
I think it's very easy when your in a job to say there are jobs out there, not so easy if your looking for one.
25 July 2002, 09:13 PM
#21
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Lad's
I am in the fortunate position to be working. The market has never picked up since Nov 99, however you just have to keep at it and keep be flexible ! (rate/package/location)
Contract market will bounce back first as employers try to keep headcount down, followed by permie's. Surprising how long some 3 month contracts can last . . . .
The Government seems to be completely oblivious to the current IT employment market, as fast track visa's are still being handed out freely.
rich
I am in the fortunate position to be working. The market has never picked up since Nov 99, however you just have to keep at it and keep be flexible ! (rate/package/location)
Contract market will bounce back first as employers try to keep headcount down, followed by permie's. Surprising how long some 3 month contracts can last . . . .
The Government seems to be completely oblivious to the current IT employment market, as fast track visa's are still being handed out freely.
rich
26 July 2002, 12:52 AM
#22
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Ill give you 50 quid to do some of my c++ so i can pass uni! Would pay more if i had it. Sorry if this does not help but how the hell can you manage to do cpp? I will never understand the crap.
26 July 2002, 12:54 AM
#23
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guys - too pished to read all the reply's - but as a recently redundant type I would say you are about fuuked - look outside IT for the next 2 years - you must have some other skills - in May I was an Exchange 5.5 consultant on about 600 quid a day. Now i am an operations manager for a major sandwich deliver firm. ( major major major .... including bonuses I usually manage about 600 quid a day - strange that 
26 July 2002, 09:26 AM
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I know about this one
I was made redundant April last year and it took me until December to get a job
The best advice I can give is "KEEP AT IT"
I had 4 verbal job offers that were all retracted due to cut backs but I finally manged to get a job. I had to be flexible with my requirements i.e money but being out of work or should I say having no money is horrible.
Good luck
Mike
I was made redundant April last year and it took me until December to get a job
The best advice I can give is "KEEP AT IT"
I had 4 verbal job offers that were all retracted due to cut backs but I finally manged to get a job. I had to be flexible with my requirements i.e money but being out of work or should I say having no money is horrible.
Good luck
Mike
26 July 2002, 09:42 AM
#26
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Market is dire at the mo.
I'm a Business Analyst and lucky to have a contract right now.
What's going to make it worse is after Royal Bank and NatWest complete their integration programme in November, there's going to be a flood of contractors in the market from there.
I'm based in Scotland, and it's crap up here.
However, I've put together a list of agencies which may help you mate:
List of useful agencies I know;
Careercare - 0131 473 7030
ASA International - 0131 226 6222
Badenoch & Clark - 0131 225 3130
Best International - 0131 524 9011
Direct Resources - 0131 473 7600
Elan - 0131 558 4800
Eurolink - 0131 220 0420
Haymarket - 0131 452 8881
Leapfrog - 0141 566 9729
Michael Page - 0131 243 2900/ 0141 331 7900
Newell & Budge - 0131 332 3311
Outstep - 0131 625 3000
Parity - 0131 553 9100
Progressive - 0141 248 8555
Quantum - 0131 220 6656
Recruitment Zone - 0131 331 2731
Search - 0141 272 7701
Sourcing Partnerships - 0131 226 4931
StaffFinders - 0141 248 6898
Synergi Solutions - 0131 220 8250
Best job sites on the web are (including any of the above with web sites);
www.jobsite.co.uk
www.jobserve.com
www.planetrecruit.com
www.scottishappointments.co.uk
www.s1jobs.com
www.icscottishrecruitment.co.uk
www.itjobboard.co.uk
www.changejobs.net
www.contractoruk.co.uk
Best of luck !
)
I'm a Business Analyst and lucky to have a contract right now.
What's going to make it worse is after Royal Bank and NatWest complete their integration programme in November, there's going to be a flood of contractors in the market from there.
I'm based in Scotland, and it's crap up here.
However, I've put together a list of agencies which may help you mate:
List of useful agencies I know;
Careercare - 0131 473 7030
ASA International - 0131 226 6222
Badenoch & Clark - 0131 225 3130
Best International - 0131 524 9011
Direct Resources - 0131 473 7600
Elan - 0131 558 4800
Eurolink - 0131 220 0420
Haymarket - 0131 452 8881
Leapfrog - 0141 566 9729
Michael Page - 0131 243 2900/ 0141 331 7900
Newell & Budge - 0131 332 3311
Outstep - 0131 625 3000
Parity - 0131 553 9100
Progressive - 0141 248 8555
Quantum - 0131 220 6656
Recruitment Zone - 0131 331 2731
Search - 0141 272 7701
Sourcing Partnerships - 0131 226 4931
StaffFinders - 0141 248 6898
Synergi Solutions - 0131 220 8250
Best job sites on the web are (including any of the above with web sites);
www.jobsite.co.uk
www.jobserve.com
www.planetrecruit.com
www.scottishappointments.co.uk
www.s1jobs.com
www.icscottishrecruitment.co.uk
www.itjobboard.co.uk
www.changejobs.net
www.contractoruk.co.uk
Best of luck !
)
26 July 2002, 09:59 AM
#27
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MarkO:
I don't think the people made redundant and finding it hard to find a job now will appreciate you saying 'they must be crap'.
I don't think you realise how swiftly the market has turned.
There are now so many people looking for jobs that the agents/employers can't tell the good from the bad. Most peoples CVs are pretty polished nowadays and in my experience the good people disclose exactly what they have done and the bad people lie throughout the CV to make them look more attractive (yes I know it's illegal but it happens, a lot). So it's actually quite hard to find a job now, even if you are sh*t hot. If you doubt me, how about jacking in your job today and demonstrating how easy it is to find a new one?
I don't think the people made redundant and finding it hard to find a job now will appreciate you saying 'they must be crap'.
I don't think you realise how swiftly the market has turned.
There are now so many people looking for jobs that the agents/employers can't tell the good from the bad. Most peoples CVs are pretty polished nowadays and in my experience the good people disclose exactly what they have done and the bad people lie throughout the CV to make them look more attractive (yes I know it's illegal but it happens, a lot). So it's actually quite hard to find a job now, even if you are sh*t hot. If you doubt me, how about jacking in your job today and demonstrating how easy it is to find a new one?
26 July 2002, 11:11 AM
#28
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I don't think the people made redundant and finding it hard to find a job now will appreciate you saying 'they must be crap'.
If you doubt me, how about jacking in your job today and demonstrating how easy it is to find a new one?
[Edited by MarkO - 7/26/2002 11:21:05 AM]
26 July 2002, 11:38 AM
#29
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Finding a job from a job is a hell of site easier than finding one from being unemployed.
However I'd have thought it was not the safest time to change jobs out of option, but I guess you have your reasons.
Good luck with the new job.
However I'd have thought it was not the safest time to change jobs out of option, but I guess you have your reasons.
Good luck with the new job.
26 July 2002, 11:57 AM
#30
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Aye, that's why I'll be flying down and staying in London during the week to continue working until I find something in Edinburgh. If you know anyone in the City with a room to rent for Mon-Thurs, let me know.
But thanks for the good wishes. We shall see....
But thanks for the good wishes. We shall see....