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Original poster

Consultant roles

62 replies

Quitelikeacatslife · 08/02/2024 16:53

Absolutely bricking it. DH is senior programme manager consultant, 10 years plus experience at high level in financial services. Worked for the usual consulting firms. Has finished last project in summer and nothing has come up, it's really dire. Savings dwindling, he's not getting a sniff at all and he's telling me he will not get considered for permanent roles. It's so so worrying. People just not returning calls, nothing doing.He will try another field but does need to be at a decent level. I can't believe this is our reality. Any advice please?

OP posts:
Toomuchgoingon79 · 08/02/2024 17:01

Why won't he get considered for permanent roles?

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 08/02/2024 17:03

Toomuchgoingon79 · 08/02/2024 17:01

Why won't he get considered for permanent roles?

He doesn't seem to get past the initial stages for anything at all. He's been told by a few recruiters that it's because he's been a consultant they think he won't stay . And he really would for the right role .

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Mumof3dogs · 08/02/2024 17:11

I feel your pain- we are in the same position!
Nothing since April last year and our funds are getting scarily low!
I had had to persuade him to consider lower paid perm roles and work away .
He is reluctant and just looks at the potential income from a short term contract - which is high but then has to keep us going for the 6-9 months it takes to find a new role.
And it's soooo stressful!!

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 08/02/2024 17:22

Mumof3dogs · 08/02/2024 17:11

I feel your pain- we are in the same position!
Nothing since April last year and our funds are getting scarily low!
I had had to persuade him to consider lower paid perm roles and work away .
He is reluctant and just looks at the potential income from a short term contract - which is high but then has to keep us going for the 6-9 months it takes to find a new role.
And it's soooo stressful!!

I'm sorry it's rubbish. I understand about holding out for contracts but it's never been this slow . He does get so down as he wants to work. I find people don't understand and say why doesn't he just do anything, but it doesn't work like that. I'm really scared.

OP posts:
TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 08/02/2024 17:25

I'm hearing the market is really bad at the moment, banks laying off lots of folk. But, new financial year is around the corner so projects may restart?

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 08/02/2024 18:47

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 08/02/2024 17:25

I'm hearing the market is really bad at the moment, banks laying off lots of folk. But, new financial year is around the corner so projects may restart?

God I hope so

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Socksandfrocks · 08/02/2024 20:47

I work in agency recruitment, managing permanent jobs and it's dire. Companies are being very selective about taking people on permanently due to the long term financial risk. Temporary/fixed term contracts are becoming more common which doesn't help when we have people who like your DH who want to prove their commitment but have no choice but to take on temp job over and over again.
Unfortunately nobody can work out what's going to happen. Finding a good recruiter to represent him should help a bit.

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 08/02/2024 22:36

Socksandfrocks · 08/02/2024 20:47

I work in agency recruitment, managing permanent jobs and it's dire. Companies are being very selective about taking people on permanently due to the long term financial risk. Temporary/fixed term contracts are becoming more common which doesn't help when we have people who like your DH who want to prove their commitment but have no choice but to take on temp job over and over again.
Unfortunately nobody can work out what's going to happen. Finding a good recruiter to represent him should help a bit.

Thanks he's come across a few but not been easy finding a good one. One last week did 5 interviews with him then just hasn't called back and not replying to messages. It would be so courteous to just do a quick message or call. If they place him it'd be a great commission.
He'd be more than happy to keep on contracting as well but it's just dried up. Whatever he committed to he'd stick with. I'm at my wits end I don't know what to suggest

OP posts:
Mumof3dogs · 17/02/2024 08:38

@Quitelikeacatslife how is it going ?
Any luck yet ?
Still stress here! My OH is in manufacturing sphere rather than finance but it's dire.
He was up for one role - process started in November.. and we now find it's a no!
He is very knowledgeable about the business and I think comes across too full on which puts people off and they look for someone more easy going - he had literally talked himself out of 2 opportunities saying you need x not y which means you don't need me !
He has one 5 day project lined up which was mid March but now put back to early April , although it's not signed off yet .
I struggle with the stress of it and his now prickly attitude!
Send wine !

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 17/02/2024 09:16

Hi, nothing through here. I've been off this week so few heart to heart chats about applying for lesser roles . He's had a few calls this week and applied for lots of jobs. We just need income now or facing idea will have to downsize. People keep saying might pick up for new financial year. Hope so

OP posts:
Mumof3dogs · 17/02/2024 09:30

I will keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻
Mine has applied for a couple more roles but still not facing a step down - although even when that is tried he has met comments of being over qualified and that they worry he will be bored and leave .
It's the lack of focus that frustrates me - job searching should be a part time job not something picked up for a few hours a week .

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 17/02/2024 10:19

Mumof3dogs · 17/02/2024 09:30

I will keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻
Mine has applied for a couple more roles but still not facing a step down - although even when that is tried he has met comments of being over qualified and that they worry he will be bored and leave .
It's the lack of focus that frustrates me - job searching should be a part time job not something picked up for a few hours a week .

My DH is at it pretty much full time , although there is only so much you can do. He was little bit more laid back in summer but not since then. It's good yours still has the confidence it'll be ok but it's awful not feeling in control over something that so vastly affects me and I worry as so many people are saying how bad things are out there

OP posts:
Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 14/03/2024 18:04

Mumof3dogs · 17/02/2024 09:30

I will keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻
Mine has applied for a couple more roles but still not facing a step down - although even when that is tried he has met comments of being over qualified and that they worry he will be bored and leave .
It's the lack of focus that frustrates me - job searching should be a part time job not something picked up for a few hours a week .

Hi , just wondered how you are doing?

OP posts:
MrWilyFoxIsBack · 14/03/2024 18:22

Hi, has your DH got his LinkedIn properly puffed up with Testimonials from his previous contracts? I’m assuming yes but if not he should do this. All the contractors I know (admittedly not in FS) have a very full LinkedIn profile, are posting content actively and some even posting videos on hot industry topics.
I expect every candidate is googled by HR and as a hiring manager I expect to see a good quality LinkedIn profile of anyone who is established in their career, but you’d be surprised how often it’s not the case.

Having been out of work so long must be starting to raise eyebrows.

How come he was not extended/rehired at his last place - has he been back to HR there to mention he is still available and to please bear him in mind?

How is he explaining the CV gap? Is there anything he can do for his own self development to help show how he has used the time productively?

HappiestSleeping · 14/03/2024 18:25

It's a very difficult market at the moment. There seems to be a little movement lately so fingers crossed. I'm in the same boat @Quitelikeacatslife

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 14/03/2024 18:59

It's very very difficult, yes he has thought to talk to the last place he worked for, I know you are trying your best help and I do appreciate it but it's absolutely awful out there. He's never had this before for so long. His day is a roundabout of linked in but it is soul destroying and I can't see a way out

OP posts:
Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 14/03/2024 19:01

He works on fixed contacts for the duration of the project, lately for one of the big 5 as it were. But they are struggling to place their permanent staff and have to use them first

OP posts:
Bing123 · 14/03/2024 19:04

It is a really difficult time and has been for the last 12 months for tech recruitment both contract and perm. Has he thought about applying for a senior project / programme manager role in the civil service e.g. Ministry of Justice or DWP? they treat applications differently so it shouldn't put them off that he's contracted.

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 14/03/2024 19:07

He has tried but finding it hard to break through. He mentioned that someone has suggested special vetting, is that a genuine thing? He would have to pay for it. Does anyone know if it is worth it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 14/03/2024 19:09

HappiestSleeping · 14/03/2024 18:25

It's a very difficult market at the moment. There seems to be a little movement lately so fingers crossed. I'm in the same boat @Quitelikeacatslife

I'm sorry to hear that. It's so hard and frustrating and scary

OP posts:
Toothspots · 14/03/2024 19:12

Please message me, my company are actively searching for IT project manager and program manager roles

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 14/03/2024 19:15

Toothspots · 14/03/2024 19:12

Please message me, my company are actively searching for IT project manager and program manager roles

I don't know how to message from mumsnet, I don't have premium

OP posts:
Toothspots · 14/03/2024 19:18

I have sent you a message - you should be able to reply without premium (I don’t have that either)

Bing123 · 14/03/2024 19:22

Click on the three little dots in the top right of the post and then it's 'PM' for personal message.

The special vetting thing could possibly be 'SC' sometimes it's easier to get a contract role if you already have it as it can be transferred from the company or Gov dept you got it with, to the new one. You can pay a couple of hundred pounds I think to get it. But if I look at Program Manager roles on jobserve none of them currently are asking for SC.

I still think its worth applying directly to perm civil service roles and making sure that any application is put in the format they like, that means an interview is much more likely.

Original poster
Quitelikeacatslife · 14/03/2024 19:25

Found the message thanks

OP posts: