"For the first time in four or five years, we’re seeing an increase not only in activity, but also in the pace of decision making—by consultants and clients," says Donna Held, head of Ayer’s IT Consulting practice. "We’re clearly heading into a more robust market."
According to the Ayers executive, during the last boom, consultants would interview with two or three different companies, choose the best assignment and rate, and negotiate their way into the job. "It feels as if we’re in the precursor to that kind of market, although I’m not sure we’ll ever see anything like the good old boom days again," she says. "Right now, consultants are jumping on offers as soon as they’re made rather than completing all their interviews. They’re afraid not to, because there’s so much competition. If they wait, someone else might step in."
This trend has accelerated decision-making on the client side. "In the past few years, clients have tended to qualify people through telephone interviews before seeing them in person. Now candidates are getting snapped up in the interval. So if they want the best consultants, they have to compress the interviewing process and make offers more quickly. As a result of this competition for candidates, clients are seeing a little price pressure."
For more information about Ayers’ IT Consulting services, contact Donna Held.
