Getting another job in IT.......what's happening !!

[rlk500]

Well just before Xmas, my employers broke the news that they would be closing two of the major trading desks and that redundancies would be necessary across the board. Well I was one of the unlucky ones to be "chosen", however, the package is a good one and will keep the wolf from the door for a little while, so now I am back to job searching.

Using Jobserve, Monster and CWJobs to see what's available, have found a few posts that fit my skillset/experience. However, having submitted my CV, it seems that just getting a response from any of these agenices appears to be a result, let alone any sniff of an interview.

Is it just me ? Time of year (people not back in the swing of things yet) ? Most of the Jobs on those sites are fishing trips just trawling for CV's, or what ?

Anyone care to comment or getting a similar response in a similar situation.

[Darth Dave]

Time of year mate. I know at least four other people who are looking and using the same routes (some of them very skilled and experienced), and they've had nothing encouraging at all.

[dick dastardly]

rlk500 said:

Using Jobserve, Monster and CWJobs to see what's available

Try www.reed.co.uk

rlk500 said:

it seems that just getting a response from any of these agenices appears to be a result, let alone any sniff of an interview.

Exactly the same here. Frustrating doesn't come close.

rlk500 said:

Is it just me ? Time of year (people not back in the swing of things yet) ?

My parents are in receuitment and they say this is a slow time of year, predicting things to pick up immensely by the end of January

[rlk500]

Thanks Dave, good to know that's it not just me.......

[Tuna]

Just about to start searching for Java/J2EE/Struts/SQL type roles. There seem to be a few things around, but this area (Cambridge) is a bit small to support a thriving niche market. Hoping I won't be sitting on my hands too long.

[rlk500]

Thanks too Dick. Guess I will just have to keep at it.

[chim_knee]

This time of year (Christmas/New Year) is ALWAYS terrible for contracting. People shut down for Christmas and take a while to wind-up again. Employers are still working on budgets, deciding on which projects will be done and which won't.

I reckon it'll mid-Feb before you see a proper improvement. Good luck though!

[Plotloss]

Mirrors my experience fairly closely.

For architect type work companies seemed to be willing to wait for an exact skillset fit, there certaintly isnt an urgency about the market in its current state.

I gave up on it in the end as I got sick of 'geezers' fishing for CVs and started up on my own.

[telecat]

Given My experience you'll be employed around April/may time. HJad the same happen to me in 2003 and 2004 and had to wait for the jobs to start queueing up.

[mkgriff]

Is your CV well laid out?

Also, have you tried working out from the ads which companies are recruiting and then hitting them directly? Abbey, for example allow you to register your CV with them.

Maybe worth a try!

[225]

Iv'e found the opposite to be honest, I've had agencies ringing me all the time this week. I thought the market was pretty good at preeent.

[JonRB]

225 said:

Iv'e found the opposite to be honest, I've had agencies ringing me all the time this week. I thought the market was pretty good at preeent.

Are you sure they're not just troughing for CVs in anticipation of the market picking up?

[timmy30]

JonRB said:

Are you sure they're not just troughing for CVs in anticipation of the market picking up?

Probably. Though it will start to pick up by early Feb IMO as bonus rumours ( or lack thereof ) start to circulate.

[Tuna]

225 said:

Iv'e found the opposite to be honest, I've had agencies ringing me all the time this week. I thought the market was pretty good at preeent.

Yes, nothing better than having a CV that clearly shows you've been contracting in Cambridge for ten years, and getting a series of phone calls that ask if you're willing to go permanent at some company in Dorset.

Actually, it is a lot better than I expected it would be for the time of year, but that doesn't mean I know where the next contract is coming from yet, which is always a mildly disconcerting feeling.

[JonRB]

Tuna said:

Yes, nothing better than having a CV that clearly shows you've been contracting in Cambridge for ten years, and getting a series of phone calls that ask if you're willing to go permanent at some company in Dorset.

And in a testing role....

... in a language you've never done before ...

... for peanuts.

[Tuna]

JonRB said:

Tuna said: Yes, nothing better than having a CV that clearly shows you've been contracting in Cambridge for ten years, and getting a series of phone calls that ask if you're willing to go permanent at some company in Dorset. And in a testing role.... ... in a language you've never done before ... ... for peanuts.

Have you been speaking to my agent?! That's the job I'm going for, I saw it first.

[ewenm]

Makes me feel lucky I've just been extended to May :smug:

[gtr-gaz]

Always amazes me how many people I know who are in IT. Are there really enough jobs for you all?

(I'm a plumber, so what do I know? just a laymans observation really!)

[TeamD]

Yes, I was getting a bit stressed prior to Christmas when my contract was due to expire on 31/12/05. Luckily I got a six month extension announced just before the break.

As far as the Dorset job is concerned....

You forgot to mention that it was nights.

[Plotloss]

gtr-gaz said:

Always amazes me how many people I know who are in IT. Are there really enough jobs for you all?

BA have 2000 IT staff and thats just employees let alone contractors.