Things are improving. More firms are entering the market and trying to hire more people. I had a firm meet someone on Wednesday for a developer role and make an offer that Friday--and it wasn't for a paycut. Consulting firms are hiring. Financial services firms are back in heavily (who among them isn't hiring); you'd think an organization like JPMorganChase that is dealing with a lunch of BankOne would suspend hiring. NOT!

People in my networking group are reporting more interviews, although some can't get going becauise they have been out too long.

Clients are inviting me in to meet again after two years where it was hard to find someone worth spending that kind of time with.

Off-shoring? Yeah it's here and it will become even bigger in this area soon. The issue of off-shoring kills developers and offers certain types of opportunities for veteran staff who know the application and know the industry (how many developers in Bangalore are going to recognize an error in the spec for a portion of an equities or credit derivatives system? They will need seniors to work with the user and who can translate requirements AND who are willing to get on a plane.

Project Offices have been back for a while. The market for senior professionals has returned and that bodes well for the balance of this year into 2005 . . . unless something bad happens on our shores.