Taking time off contract

[psychocandy]

Generally, dont take ANY calls on mobile at my desk (open plan busy office) so deffo no calls from agencies. Thats what voice mail is for.

I will sometimes step outside and listen to voicemail/call them back or I will leave until lunchtime/end of day.

Phone interviews try to get lunchtime. Face-to-face first thing/last thing so I can possibly just turn up late/leave early one day. (Tell client doctor/dentist appt if they ask).

IMHO talking to agents in office in earshot is bad idea indeed.

[TheFaQQer]

IMHO talking to agents in office in earshot is bad idea indeed.

Depends on what you are saying

Sometimes it doesn't hurt to be overheard in the office saying "well, my contract runs out next Friday, so send me the details as I might be available" can spur the client into sorting out renewal paperwork.

[CheeseSlice]

Depends on what you are saying

Sometimes it doesn't hurt to be overheard in the office saying "well, my contract runs out next Friday, so send me the details as I might be available" can spur the client into sorting out renewal paperwork.

+1

Doesn't cause any bother for me. I just take the call at the desk. If they ask about my contract end date I tell them that, and if they start taking about roles, skills and locations I discuss, but if they query day rates, I only tell them that by email.

Another problem is that I get so many calls that are irrelevant, so constantly sneaking off to take a call about one of these roles is an utter waste of time.

[Batcher]

+1

Doesn't cause any bother for me. I just take the call at the desk. If they ask about my contract end date I tell them that, and if they start taking about roles, skills and locations I discuss, but if they query day rates, I only tell them that by email.

Another problem is that I get so many calls that are irrelevant, so constantly sneaking off to take a call about one of these roles is an utter waste of time.

+1

If they ask about rates I usually say something like "I can't talk about that at the moment" or "it depends on a number of factors" so no-one around me can listen in. I hate giving a rate off the top of my head anyway without investigating the cost of travel & hotels in the area of the ClientCo.

I just tell them to send me the job spec with the details I need to work out my costs so I can figure out a rate.