All candiates have just got to persevere; between 2000 and 2008 you could get a job in a matter of days, now its like the 90’s again, its taking ages as Projects are slow to start, profit margins are low, and priority is to the existing workforce.

The big companies have got to stabilise themselves first, and until they’re making a decent amount of profit and can see more projects on the horizon only then will they recruit. The problem is that everyone has got used to a certain standard of living, and until that changes no matter how much money the government throws at Projects, big companies (and those at the top of the companies) will look after themselves first. Recruitment is second to survival. Salaries of yesteryear are no longer achieveable; how many unemployed people out there have slowly reduced their price/salary/rates? Maybe we should have reduced our value sooner? I was earning £35/hr up to March of this year and now I’m working for several companies for £15 to £20/hr.

I agree that companies are looking for very specific candidates, but if you look hard enough, long enough, and reduce your salary/rate expectations, then its not impossible to get a job. Equally, recruitment companies need to start lowering their fees if they haven’t already.

I’m surprised ‘part time’ work isn’t on the increase; its much more affordable for companies, but the agencies don’t push it as it’s not worth their while. I’ve spoken to several companies who can’t afford full time staff, but didn’t think people would be interested in part time jobs. There is also a mentallity in the UK market, not so much in Europe, that you cannot work independantly for more than one company; this doesn’t help.

What I have noticed these past few months is the increase in ‘Trainee’ and ‘Assistant’ positions, probably because the experienced one are pricing themselves out of the market.

What I’ve written is just a small facet of the market, there are other factors such as geographical location, sector and more.

Looking for a job is hard and frustrating but just keep persevering. Some people are genuinely lucky in life, me, I’ve found that with continuous hard work comes reward. Things aren’t great, one week I have no work, and then my clients give me loads; just keep knocking, trying, and you’ll get there.

Pricing pressure, particularly from the public sector continues, as new contracts continue to be renewed at current or lower prices. In some cases, larger firms are locking in lower and lower prices going out 3 or more years on public bid work.

A few markets and areas do have pricing power, but it is limited to certian industries, such as oil and gas or electrical power.