Jumping ship?

[DannyF1966]

How often is this done? I'm currently in a contract which started last August and has been extended a few times, running to the end of March at least. I still keep an eye on the jobs and opportunities out there, however I feel that as I'm still pretty new to contracting (this is my second year) building up a reputation for being a man of his word and getting the job done is more important than going where the cash is.

I'm happy where I am, but if you were to see a contract advertised that paid, say, twice what you're on now, would you apply for it or stick out your current contract to the end?

[turbowoowoo]

How often is this done? I'm currently in a contract which started last August and has been extended a few times, running to the end of March at least. I still keep an eye on the jobs and opportunities out there, however I feel that as I'm still pretty new to contracting (this is my second year) building up a reputation for being a man of his word and getting the job done is more important than going where the cash is.

I'm happy where I am, but if you were to see a contract advertised that paid, say, twice what you're on now, would you apply for it or stick out your current contract to the end?

you will probably get a lot of responses saying stick out your contract etc etc.

but if your current client don't want you they wont be thinking about man of his word etc I ALWAYS do whats RIGHT for MYCO..

double bubble, I would give notice and accept the new gig

David

[DannyF1966]

but if your current client don't want you

I would definitely be looking elsewhere if either I wasn't happy with the client or they weren't happy with me, but that's not the case at the moment. I guess a part of me is fretting about being benched and would rather look at an opportunity when it arises rather than see what's available when my current contract ends.

So far I've been lucky with contracting. Worked my first contract under an umbrella company, initial three months ending up being 13 months in the end. Second (current) contract under my own Ltd, initial 8 weeks but will be at least 7.5 months by the time it finishes - the only time off I've had is when I've asked for couple of weeks off twice a year to recharge my batteries.

I've not yet had the experience of being out of work or having to live off the warchest but reading some other comments on the boards makes me feel that people regularly experience 2-3 month gaps between contracts.

I'm building up a warchest but it's not yet large enough for me to feel confident about having an extended break when this contract ends.

[psychocandy]

Whats your notice period? Or are you talking about just not renewing at end of this extension?

If not renewing, then you have no obligation, morally or otherwise if you choose not to extend.

Invoking notice period is a contentious issue. Some say they would never do (or like to say that). Personally, if its in the contract I see no problem with it - a client will invoke if it suits them. If you really want me to not have a notice period, then negotiate it into the contact but I reserve the right to negotiate a higher rate - dont stick it in and assume it'll never get invoked.

Bottom line though - look after number 1.

[DannyF1966]

Or are you talking about just not renewing at end of this extension?

If they offer me another extension I'll probably take it as I'd rather be in work than not in work. To be honest I'm not sure what my notice period is as leaving partway through a contract hasn't even been something I've thought about until I read the email about the other opportunity this morning.

[TheFaQQer]

How often is this done?

Somewhere between never and all the time, depending on who you ask round here

There are two competing thoughts. The first says "look after number one. If the client had the chance to bin you for someone cheaper, they would without a shot, so shaft them before you have the chance to get shafted. It's good business sense to jump and take the money". The second says "stick to your principles. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If you jump too often, you'll get a reputation and people won't touch you".

If you are in a small pool, then I wouldn't be looking to jump - if people get to know you by reputation then you want that to be a good one. (Cue people saying how agents never know who you are anyway, and how they'll be back for you if they had a gig because they are all scum).

FWIW, I don't look when I'm in contract - I like to get to the end and then have a break. Sometimes it works out fine, sometimes it doesn't. I have left one contract early before - it was the end of the project and they were offering four week extensions, and with two weeks to go a client approached me with a three month role working from home. In that case, the money was significantly better (no expenses vs working in London) and had much better prospects, so I took it.

All that said - if the new role is genuinely offering double the money, then I would certainly consider it. If it isn't significantly better, then I would stay where I was.

[Dallas]

[QUOTE=DannyF1966;2045051]To be honest I'm not sure what my notice period is QUOTE]



is today sockie day or is this place turning into muppet central?

[psychocandy]

Somewhere between never and all the time, depending on who you ask round here

There are two competing thoughts. The first says "look after number one. If the client had the chance to bin you for someone cheaper, they would without a shot, so shaft them before you have the chance to get shafted. It's good business sense to jump and take the money". The second says "stick to your principles. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If you jump too often, you'll get a reputation and people won't touch you".

If you are in a small pool, then I wouldn't be looking to jump - if people get to know you by reputation then you want that to be a good one. (Cue people saying how agents never know who you are anyway, and how they'll be back for you if they had a gig because they are all scum).

FWIW, I don't look when I'm in contract - I like to get to the end and then have a break. Sometimes it works out fine, sometimes it doesn't. I have left one contract early before - it was the end of the project and they were offering four week extensions, and with two weeks to go a client approached me with a three month role working from home. In that case, the money was significantly better (no expenses vs working in London) and had much better prospects, so I took it.

All that said - if the new role is genuinely offering double the money, then I would certainly consider it. If it isn't significantly better, then I would stay where I was.

The reputation thing. Yes I agree. When I say look after number one you do need to look at all things.

Jumping early may get you a bad rep and you need to consider this before doing so or doing too much. But then this is still looking after number one surely? Its just considering all things.

But I have also only done once. Contract was ending in two weeks anyway and something else came up and I agreed with client.

[jmo21]

I have always been in the "see out your contract" camp, for a few reasons:

- it's the professional thing to do, imho
- I don't want to disappoint the end client or cause them the hassle of having to replace me.
- it will potentially reflect badly on my reputation.

That being said, I've never needed to quit early before as I've always enjoyed my contracts and been happy with the rate I'm getting.

My current contract however is starting to wear on me for a couple of reasons.

Getting here got tougher, I had an accident in November, wrote my car off and can't drive just now, so getting lift to train station, train, shuttle bus is my commute now.

And the project I have moved onto sucks way more than I thought it would when I accepted my last extension.

So giving serious consideration to handing in my notice.

[BolshieBastard]

How often is this done? I'm currently in a contract which started last August and has been extended a few times, running to the end of March at least. I still keep an eye on the jobs and opportunities out there, however I feel that as I'm still pretty new to contracting (this is my second year) building up a reputation for being a man of his word and getting the job done is more important than going where the cash is.

I'm happy where I am, but if you were to see a contract advertised that paid, say, twice what you're on now, would you apply for it or stick out your current contract to the end?

If you'd been contracting for say 5 years, Id have no hesitation in saying look after number one first and, if you see a better paid role elsewhere go for it.

Even so, I would also say this, there's no guarantee you'd quickly get another better paying role. Dont make it a habit of taking a role then quickly dumping it for a better one. You've not been contracting long so Id be careful. In any event, I wouldnt recommend staying with the same client for more than 2 years (others will say this doesnt matter, each to their own).

you will probably get a lot of responses saying stick out your contract etc etc.

but if your current client don't want you they wont be thinking about man of his word etc I ALWAYS do whats RIGHT for MYCO..

double bubble, I would give notice and accept the new gig

David

Essentially this.