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Contract work picking up

 
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I've noticed cold calls picking up again. I'm geeting them about every 2-3 weeks. One who I spoke to recently (who just posted a job on this site in the Boston area) suggested that contract work is really starting to pick up. It would make sense that companies hesitant to commit would hire contractors before full-time employees.
A few months back others had commented how their cold calls and interviews were picking up. Are people still finding that to be the case?
--Mark
 
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I went to see a recruiter here (Oxford) a few days ago and we had a chat. Seems there are a couple of outfits expanding or setting up, he gave me definite info rather than the usual vague horseshit.
That's why I went to see him in person rather than someone telling me over the phone that things are picking up.
Seem to be new "jobs" popping up on theitjobsboard site, but can they be believed? Maybe some are real jobs - only time will tell.
[ January 12, 2004: Message edited by: Steven Broadbent ]
 
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Yes, from what I see around here, there are more contract jobs, especially short term (three months etc) and a few permanent in the market.
In last three weeks time, I got about ten calls from different agencies, but that might also be because I had my CV in the market for last 7 months or so (during which I managed to land two contract jobs, and a permanent role).
Okay, something cool happened. I just got a call from a headhunter while typing this response! Its almost half past six in the evening, and this agent is looking for a number Java contractors for immediate work, and also to fill a couple of permanent positions.
Light at the end of the tunnel, I hope.
[ January 12, 2004: Message edited by: Ashok Mash ]
 
mister krabs
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The market does tend to pick up a little with the new year as new budgets kick in. The fact that companies are looking at contractors and not permanent positions is a bad sign.
 
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Mark:
- Yeah, we are seeing some rumbings out in our part of the country.
- For whatever reason, Saint Louis has been generating quite a few leads the past 2 months.
- Unfortunately, the 1099 rate (where you pay both sides of social security and your benefits) has been stuck around US$30/hour. In addition, most limit number of hours to 40/week - so no overtime.
- Did hear of a decent sized project getting started out in Salt Lake City, Utah. Company offered 1099 wages at $40/hour. Had a dozen spots opened. Been talking to the recruiter -- said it took about a week to fill the spots.
- Personally, I need a guarantee of 1099 wages of US$50/hour, plus 20 hours/week overtime (if I want it), in order to think about budging.
---------
- Gotta run,
John Coxey
 
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Originally posted by Mark Herschberg:
I've noticed cold calls picking up again. I'm geeting them about every 2-3 weeks. One who I spoke to recently (who just posted a job on this site in the Boston area) suggested that contract work is really starting to pick up. It would make sense that companies hesitant to commit would hire contractors before full-time employees.
A few months back others had commented how their cold calls and interviews were picking up. Are people still finding that to be the case?
--Mark


I started noticing things picking up some around the summer of last year. When I was in the Boston area at that time, a friend who does consulting there told me the same thing.
Jon
 
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Originally posted by John Coxey:
Mark:
- For whatever reason, Saint Louis has been generating quite a few leads the past 2 months.
John Coxey


Despite the imminent UPRR move of their entire St. Louis base to Omaha?
 
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I have received a few cold calls and emails, but they are not from my area of the country. Most of the call are for Florida, there have been a few for Chicago but not many.
Joe
 
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Here in the mid-atlantic, USA its as slow as I have seen it since last summer. It was actually better in Decemeber than now.
 
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Texas is still under the water.
 
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I've been fairly pessimistic about here, given the number of recent layoffs.
However I've been told today that my previous employer has finally seen the error of their ways (sacking all the Java experts in favor of .Net) and is now interested in bulking up on J2EE.
Never one to miss the dark lining to any silver cloud, I cynically expect them to be offering the new, improved devalued salaries that are the nation's norm, but hey, it's still better than being unemployed.
 
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and is now interested in bulking up on J2EE.

Tim, was a reason given ?
 
Sadanand Murthy
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Originally posted by HS Thomas:
and is now interested in bulking up on J2EE.

Tim, was a reason given ?


Probably so they could rehire the expensive J2EE folks at lower salaries.
 
HS Thomas
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An abstract impression of management more likely !
 
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