ABSTRACT
Computer Weekly, in the second quarter of 1998, has had more job advertisements than ever before. The boom in IT jobs looks set to continue because of the effects of Millennium projects and the general buoyancy of the economy. It was not always thus. Only a few years ago the market was shrinking, and full-timers were being made redundant. In that recession, many firms found it convenient to employ contractors on short-term contracts rather than keeping full-time staff employed. The contracting marketplace was seen by many as a way to escape from the effects of depressed economy. This applied particularly to “wrinklies” like me — over 40 and, in the eyes of some unenlightened companies, over the hill. Many highly competent managers and senior IT staff have found that contracting is their best bet if they are to avoid permanent unemployment. This was the start of many contractors' careers, and they have never looked back. In bad or good times there have — so far at least — been plenty of jobs around.
