Job hunt time again

So I am back looking for a contract after a bit of time doing other things.

I love starting new jobs and getting to grips with new set ups and projects etc.

But I bloody hate going through the bullshit that is actually finding a role. Interviews (with clients) I dont mind, but the application process seems to get more convoluted and more irrelevant each time I look. And the agencies and client admin teams seem to be on a continual land grab to place more and more risk with contractors and less and less rewards. And to slip in as much pointless bureaucracy as they can too.

Here is a snippet from one body shops ‘NDA’:

I certify not to have applied in the past, directly or indirectly to the Clients or for the Projects mentioned in this document. I agree not to apply for the Clients and/or the Projects directly or indirectly as long as I am in the
application process with bs agency and for a period of 3 months beyond.

(no clients were mentioned in the document) then this clause:

bs agency reserves that right to add further Clients/Projects to this Agreement by simple written notification.

So bullshit agency can block me from any contact with any company by simply writing me! Foxtrot Oscar mate. And this is only the NDA so they can tell me the clients name. Seriously! What would the work contract have been like???

I have a 20 page application form plus over 10 other multi page documents to fill in for one role. Struggling for enthusiasm would be an understatement.

Mind you at least there are the odd one or two jobs around at the moment, things were desperate before Easter. I know my skill set is almost dead (Thanks MS for the support ;-)), but when there is one job a week on less than when I started back when everything was black and white, its quite sobering.

Anyone else currently looking? hows the market where you are?

cheers

simon