How is Java/J2EE contract market right now?

[rktest05]

I've been working as a Java/J2ee contractor for the last 1 year for one client. My contract is ending in 2 months time. I'm just wondering how the Java/J2EE contract market is right now? I talked with my recruiter (from an agency). He said the market is not that good for contractors now compared to this time last year. Not sure if he is saying this to low-ball my rate. I don't want to give up working as a contractor as I see not too much difference between contracting vs. full-time regards to stability.

Here is my experience/skill set
-9 years of Java/J2EE experience with knowledge/experience in almost all the J2EE related technologies(including lot of open source ones) and Oracle database
-Have experience leading small team of 2-3 people
-Engineering degree from Waterloo and 2 years of co-op experience
-Good written and verbal communication skills

Thanks for any input.

[B0000rt]

I doubt you'd have any trouble finding a job.. Where are you located? I suggest you go to more than one agency. This way they ALL work to get you a job. Some vendors are preferred at some companies, and others are not.

Knowledge and experience in almost all J2EE technologies? Thats a pretty long list :) Spring, Hibernate? Those seem to be the 'hottest' right now. Ability to write SP/Functions/Triggers won't hurt either..

[rktest05]

I doubt you'd have any trouble finding a job.. Where are you located? I suggest you go to more than one agency. This way they ALL work to get you a job. Some vendors are preferred at some companies, and others are not.

Knowledge and experience in almost all J2EE technologies? Thats a pretty long list :) Spring, Hibernate? Those seem to be the 'hottest' right now. Ability to write SP/Functions/Triggers won't hurt either..

Thanks for the response.
I'm in Toronto. Yes, I know Spring and Hibernate extremely well. SP/Functions/Triggers are ok.

Would you by any chance know how much rate I should ask for? I was thinking 65.00 per hour

[B0000rt]

Thanks for the response.
I'm in Toronto. Yes, I know Spring and Hibernate extremely well. SP/Functions/Triggers are ok.

Would you by any chance know how much rate I should ask for? I was thinking 65.00 per hour

I don't know what the rates are like in Toronto, but here in NY/NJ my current client is paying $100/hr for 5 years of experience (obviously I'm not getting the full $100/hr though)

The key to getting the best job possible is multiple recruiters. Everytime I'm almost finished a contract, I have atleast 8-9 people working on getting me a position. The last time I was interviewing (Early January) I had 3 interviews the next week that was finished.

Side note, any experience with Cascading updates in Hibernate? :D I need/want to modify something to beable to cascade an update for me automatically without any performance issues :D

[ferkel]

your recruiter maybe right.. the market seems to be extremely slow right now. But if you have mucho experience you should never have to worry.

[DaFonz]

Market in vancouver is hot - I cant find enough talented Java people to hire.