Contract ending, best time to start looking

[Tasslehoff]

5 weeks out from end of contract, just been told won’t be renewed. Project is pretty much wound up so fully expecting this.

When is the best time to start fishing around for new contract again?

Four weeks feels about right, but in my previous experience Agents want you to start yesterday (90% of the time paperwork takes 3 weeks anyway!) so they won’t consider you if you are 4 weeks out? I know you are in a better position if you can say “yes I can start tomorrow” but equally I am conscious that the Xmas “dip” is looming so don’t want to leave it that late.

I know there is no hard and fast rules, just interested in others experiences.

[GillsMan]

I'd start looking now. Yeah, you'll get agents saying that you need to start yesterday, but I wouldn't be overly worried about that.

When offered an interview, you can usually push for one a few days later than the one you've been offered. Then there's client faffing about making a decision. Then there's agent faffing around. Insist on all paperwork. Do a contract review. Push for changes to the contract, blah blah.

Yeah, 5 weeks is a long time, but I'd rather start early. You may lose a role due to client needing you to start in 1 week, but I'd say it isn't massively likely. Of course if you get offered an interview tomorrow, then yeah, it's not that easy to delay. But it depends on how amazing you are whether you'd be offered an interview that quickly!

[sal]

Yesterday...

No seriously, start looking now. What is the situation with your current role, are there any outstanding tasks, projects, handovers? Tell the pimps that you are available in 2 weeks, if you land the new gig before your current finishes you have few options:

- You might be able to get the current client to cut the contract short if you have new gig lined up and ask nicely.
- You might be able to postpone the start date at the last moment claiming that the current client had the need to keep you for finishing touches on important project before letting you go

You don't have much to lose, worst case scenario you will get your CV back in circulation by the time the current gig finishes.

[Untouchable1]

Tell them youre available next week - "just finishing up a couple of things this week"

[ChimpMaster]

5 weeks is a long time? Wow you guys must work in some seriously fast-moving-high-octane-super-exciting part of IT to which I clearly am no where near!

My first client waited 4 weeks for me to start. My second waited 3 weeks and the third waited almost 2 months. But there are reasons, I suppose.

I would start looking soon as I knew, within reason, say 2 months. It'll take you a week to 'wake up' to the need to find a contract anyway, another week or so to lay your foundations and tap up your contacts, and then begin the filtering and interview processes. Then of course you negotiate the start dates.

It does largely depend on your skills - such as, are you a generalist or a specialist, is the need for your experience widespread or niche etc.

And of course whether you want any time off

[SpontaneousOrder]

I wouldn't bother earlier than 2 or 3 weeks tops - but if you already know that you're definitely not getting renewed, then you have nothing to lose. Especially if you make it absolutely clear that you won't be available until X date (so you don't even waste your time talking to people trying to convince you to leave early).

[BolshieBastard]

I wouldn't bother earlier than 2 or 3 weeks tops - but if you already know that you're definitely not getting renewed, then you have nothing to lose. Especially if you make it absolutely clear that you won't be available until X date (so you don't even waste your time talking to people trying to convince you to leave early).

This.

Its yet another massive change in contracting. 7 or 8 years ago, clients and agents would wait but nowadays, most expect you to be immediately available or be prepared to ditch your current contract asap.

Sure you'll still get some clients who will wait (my first contract the client waited 4 weeks while I served my permie notice) but its a rarity IMO.

[SussexSeagull]

I tend not to worry until two weeks before I am due to end. In fact I am due to end my current contract on Christmas Eve so probably won't be looking until the New Year.

[SimonMac]

Do you need to go from job to job? Have some time off and enjoy spending your money, you are a long time dead!

[psychocandy]

How long is notice period on current gig? If its short then no problem - just leave current gig early.

Otherwise, dont tell pimps its 5 weeks - it'll put them off. Tell them 2 weeks. Might as well start looking and try this -nothing to lose.

BTW - if I remember it was busy all the way this time last year.