Yet another how is the market thread...

[blacjac]

Some of you may remember I went permie 3 months ago when the warchest ran out, however I have the posibility of a medium paid 3 month contract in what I do.

What I do is quite niche, however throughout 2009 I saw a total of 2 contracts advertised, and I got one of them.
Recently though there seems to be a slight flurry of activity, over the last 3 weeks I've seen about 6 contracts advertised, and the one that I am in with a shout of wasn't advertised, I was contacted directly.

Also, as per previous posts I would like to make the move to BA sometime, and it looks like the permie role won't facilitate that - the niche skills seem to mean that once you are in this department the only way out is to quit, some people have been there for over 10 years and no one has ever managed to move internally.

So, having no experience of contracting through a rescession, what is the general consensus for the current upturn? Is it a blip or could we have turned the corner?
Would you jump at this 3 monther or stick to permidom for a while longer?

[thunderlizard]

What I do is quite niche
...
what is the general consensus for the current upturn? Is it a blip or could we have turned the corner?
Would you jump at this 3 monther or stick to permidom for a while longer?

You want people to comment on whether the market for your unnamed niche service is on the up?

Fortunately I have a sophisticated prediction device that is guaranteed to be 100% correct 50% of the time...

Tails. Best sit it out till the new year.

[Clippy]

TBH, as you have a niche skillset, you are probably better placed to judge what the demand for your skills will be like than anyone else.

It's difficult to predict where the economy is going as one piece of bad news soon sends the bean counters scurrying to cut costs.

I would investigate if the 3 monther on the table is likely to turn into a 6 monther which would take you to early Spring '11 which is a better time to be out of contract than just before Xmas.

If so, would be worth pursuing otherwise sit tight.

Just my tuppence worth.

[Svalbaard]

The answer to your question of whether we have turned a corner or whether we are just seeing a blip has two answers:

The first is that nobody knows and anyone who says with any certainty that they do is talking bollocks and should be treated with a certain amount of scepticism.

The second is 42 (obviously).

In terms of your particular niche, (A) how are we supposed to offer any advice if you don't tell us what that niche is, and (B) if you are a specialist in a skill that is so rare to find, then surely you should have a better view than all of us already.

[northernladuk]

Bearing in mind you had to go permie only a very short time ago due to problems with warchest (and I presume) getting contracts surely you know first hand the problems. You have also been around long enough to know that xmas is a particularly rubbish time to be looking for a contract. I believe this three monther will end at the end of December. I am almost certain if you don't get an extension you are going to spend at very least most of Jan out of work again. If you don't get something quick you are going to hit the dead period up to April etc.

I would say you already know the answer to your problem so not sure why you are asking on here. It's not like your a newbie or anything

[lukemg]

The business proposition was poorly explained, you have done no research, your track record is mostly benchtime and for those reasons.....I am out.

Stay where you are, 13 weeks goes v.quick.

[blacjac]

Hmm, perhaps I didn't exlplain myself properly, ok I'll try again.

I wasn't asking for advice on a niche market, I was merely including some background info on the indications I have seen of an upturn, to add to the many recent posts on people who have seen the same.

Perhaps this was my mistake.




To all of you out there who have contracted through a rescession before, in your opinion is the current upturn that most posters on here have mentioned a blip or in your opinion have we turned the corner?

[Dearnla]

In my opinion there is no upturn at all.....

[TestMangler]

It depends entirely on what you do and where you can/are willing to work.

In the last two supposed contractor recessions, early 2000 and early 2009, I got the best paying contracts I've ever seen.

I'm working on "an integration program for a big f***in' huge UK bank" and there is NO SIGN of a recession for contractors here but I'm sure there must be in loads of other locations/industries. I know a lot of contractors here are currently coining in as much as they ever have.

I suppose 'the market' as you're trying to see it could only really be guaged by the number of contract vacancies being posted and filled. Ask an agent

[Fred Bloggs]

In my world "the market" is dire. I'm lucky to be in work, ironically on my highest ever rate. It's this gig or the dole at the moment for me, I reckon.