Searching for SQL Server\ASP.NET Developer Contracts

[firsttimecontractor]

Hi,

Past 8 years worked with different clients, IT consulting companies performed different roles finally decided to go for contract job on SQL Server, .NET 3.5 Web Forms.

It's four weeks now applied for 80 jobs and made CV visible to everyone so far no success. no response at all from recruitment agencies, keep following different job boards, forums, linkedingroup really need advice from someone who has similar experience in past.

Altered CV few times
called back recruitment consultants for feedback ( Got replies xyz is missing though small bits only missing, when I apply for SQL developer they say profile is strong for .NET development and vice versa, Not enough banking experience etc)

appreciate your thoughts and help.

Thanks
Crazydatacop

[northernladuk]

I hope if you do send a covering letter with your CV it is in better English than in your first post

<waits for Project Monkey>

Are you making sure you apply for roles that you match your skill set exactly? Not ones that you think you can do, or you could learn on the job, not ones that have experience you don't have and you think doesn't matter etc? There are enough people out there at the moment that match roles to the letter so if you are taking a flyer on gigs not 100% suitable you are going to get a lot of knock backs.

[Project Monkey]

I hope if you do send a covering letter with your CV it is in better English than in your first post

<waits for Project Monkey>

Are you making sure you apply for roles that you match your skill set exactly? Not ones that you think you can do, or you could learn on the job, not ones that have experience you don't have and you think doesn't matter etc? There are enough people out there at the moment that match roles to the letter so if you are taking a flyer on gigs not 100% suitable you are going to get a lot of knock backs.

Sorry, no time for CUK today, too busy.

[eek]

I hope if you do send a covering letter with your CV it is in better English than in your first post

<waits for Project Monkey>

Are you making sure you apply for roles that you match your skill set exactly? Not ones that you think you can do, or you could learn on the job, not ones that have experience you don't have and you think doesn't matter etc? There are enough people out there at the moment that match roles to the letter that if you are taking a flyer on gigs not 100% suitable you are going to get a lot of knock backs.

FTFY

On a more serious note if the market is tulip (I don't know) you have to be proactive apply quickly and then chase the agent to get your cv on the pile.

However you are going up against people with 10+ years contracting experience who can both walk the walk, (probably) offer a lot of value added for the same money and are safe options for agents to promote. And as a newbie that's going to be hard to beat.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Hi,

Past 8 years worked with different clients, IT consulting companies performed different roles finally decided to go for contract job on SQL Server, .NET 3.5 Web Forms.

It's four weeks now applied for 80 jobs and made CV visible to everyone so far no success. no response at all from recruitment agencies, keep following different job boards, forums, linkedingroup really need advice from someone who has similar experience in past.

Altered CV few times
called back recruitment consultants for feedback ( Got replies xyz is missing though small bits only missing, when I apply for SQL developer they say profile is strong for .NET development and vice versa, Not enough banking experience etc)

appreciate your thoughts and help.

Thanks
Crazydatacop

Probably the fact you are advertising yourself as a .NET/SQL developer is letting you down.... Most jobs are advertised as a .NET specialist or SQL specialist with solid experience in the other technology.

Your CV should scream out to the company "HIRE ME YOU FOOL". If it doesn't then you are marketing yourself as a permie, so stick to permie.

[firsttimecontractor]

Probably the fact you are advertising yourself as a .NET/SQL developer is letting you down.... Most jobs are advertised as a .NET specialist or SQL specialist with solid experience in the other technology.

Your CV should scream out to the company "HIRE ME YOU FOOL". If it doesn't then you are marketing yourself as a permie, so stick to permie.

thank you all for your replies, based on your inputs worked on these points

1) Improved cover letter, CV (may be not a killer CV that says I am magic or giant developer can do everything but I am sure it meets applied job requirements)

2) Called up consultant as soon as application sent, No luck most of the cases consultants were busy I was told to leave phone number, name but no response afterwards

3) applied for only most suitable jobs

it's fours week now so far no interviews lined up, nothing in hand.

Are there .NET, SQL Developers who are in job market? what's your thoughts ?
How are you finding market? any specific job sites, agencies for SQL Server, .NET technologies?

Thanks
crazydatacop

[eek]

thank you all for your replies, based on your inputs worked on these points

1) Improved cover letter, CV (may be not a killer CV that says I am magic or giant developer can do everything but I am sure it meets applied job requirements)

2) Called up consultant as soon as application sent, No luck most of the cases consultants were busy I was told to leave phone number, name but no response afterwards

3) applied for only most suitable jobs

it's fours week now so far no interviews lined up, nothing in hand.

Are there .NET, SQL Developers who are in job market? what's your thoughts ?
How are you finding market? any specific job sites, agencies for SQL Server, .NET technologies?

Thanks
crazydatacop

Well I'm not looking but getting calls daily about interesting contracts....

[northernladuk]

1) Improved cover letter, CV (may be not a killer CV that says I am magic or giant developer can do everything but I am sure it meets applied job requirements)

This is your problem. There will be 100's of people that do have killer CV's. Are you sure you are cut out for this? Your CV says not.

[rurffy]

one thing you have to note is that , even though you have a very good CV and have 70 + years experience(highly unlikely though lol - but you get the point) - First impression (over the phone) matters alot .

The way you talk to the agency , communication about what you have done in the past, and discuss in detail the technologies in the JD - Agencies will put you forward from discussion you have with them..

Anyways - Dont make your CV too Long. (3 Pages tops) -

Cheers

[kevpuk]

one thing you have to note is that , even though you have a very good CV and have 70 + years experience(highly unlikely though lol - but you get the point) - First impression (over the phone) matters alot .

The way you talk to the agency , communication about what you have done in the past, and discuss in detail the technologies in the JD - Agencies will put you forward from discussion you have with them..

Anyways - Dont make your CV too Long. (3 Pages tops) -

Cheers

This, on the whole.

I have found that my CV is the bait and the most important part is often the Agent first contact. If you can come across as assured, knowledgable and per-CV, whilst simultaneously developing rapport with the Agent, this will be the crux of getting put forward by them.
After only a short time in the contractor world, I realised that a handful of agents are continually in touch with me every few months, to find out whether I am busy or looking for next gig - this is entirely down to my rapport with them, and hence how you come across makes a difference.
Sure, not every CV submission leads to Agency contact, and not every Agency contact leads to Interview and so on, but it is all about maximising your chances, to my mind.