Hmmm! Short term contracting past is not seen as successful???

[psychocandy]

The thing is this is out of contractors control, you can be the best in the world, top of your game but if they don't need you beyond 3 months then that's it so it does not always show ability if its not gone beyond your initial contract. I went for a 2 week contract once as someone was off sick they then questioned the fact my previous contracts were only 6 months and 3 months!! It amazes me the logic in people that hire that they are hiring a temporary person but want a permanent work history??

Probably because at the back of their mind they're thinking we only want for two weeks, but we want him to stay if WE want.

[psychocandy]

Na, there was one here at Client Co had been contracting here 25 years.
Unsure of his exact working practices though.
They made it their mission to get rid.

He left for 3 weeks, then was back on a 3 monther, as he had built the software from the ground up.
Left, again for a few months, was back on a different project and is still up and running.

minted must be

[northernladuk]

BUT not all contracts are renewable. Just because an extension does not happen, there could be the following reasons:-

1. Client truly did only want a contractor to cover work for x months and it was never ever going to be longer.
2. Client just can not afford to have a contractor any longer.
3. Role was not as advertised so contractor decided not to stay.
4. Contractor just wanted to do something else.
5. Clients expectation were unrealistic regarding hours worked etc. so contractor did not renew.
6. Contractor was crap.

Only one of the possibilities indicates an issue with the contractor. OK, maybe (4).

But to say short contracts = dodgy contractor is just crap.

Shame that only one of those examples is actually of a contract that is not renewable and extensions wouldn't be available. The rest have nothing to do with whether a contract is to be renewed or not. 3 are of contractors dumping the client. Nice one.

Oh yes. In 25 years I've noticed that at times brown nose ability far exceeds tech ability as a way of getting on as a perm or getting extended.

Personally, I cant be arsed with it to my detriment at times...

Have you ever thought that 'brown nosing' is the same as a sales pitch and doing a good job to ensure further work, which is fundamental to nearly every single business going? Business that do this well are more likely to succeed and conversely badly, they will fail. It's called sales and marketing. You're terminology and attitude makes you look like such a moron.

[gables]

To me it just smacks of a hiring manager applying permie thinking; lets face it, when hiring a permie a CV with lots of (even a couple maybe) 3-6-9 months permie roles it might well set the alarm bells ringing but for a contactor it shouldn't.

Also, nothing wrong with being somewhere for a long time, I was at a client for 4.5 years spread over several distinct projects with extensions, my brown-nosing ;-) was really effective as it ensured I kept the repeat business.

I remember having a conversation with a salesman who used a line that salesman change product not client ;-)

[MrMarkyMark]

Also, nothing wrong with being somewhere for a long time, I was at a client for 4.5 years spread over several distinct projects with extensions, my brown-nosing ;-) was really effective as it ensured I kept the repeat business.

Exactly this.

[psychocandy]

Shame that only one of those examples is actually of a contract that is not renewable and extensions wouldn't be available. The rest have nothing to do with whether a contract is to be renewed or not. 3 are of contractors dumping the client. Nice one.



Have you ever thought that 'brown nosing' is the same as a sales pitch and doing a good job to ensure further work, which is fundamental to nearly every single business going? Business that do this well are more likely to succeed and conversely badly, they will fail. It's called sales and marketing. You're terminology and attitude makes you look like such a moron.

2 not 1.

And why are the other 3 "dumping" the client? Complete crap. As you often harp on about its a business relationship and the contractor has no obligation past the end of the current contract, neither does the client.

You pay a plumber to fit a bath for you. He does so and does a good job and you pay him. Then you want him to fit a toilet but he can't do because hes doing something else now. Or for whatever reason he decides he can't do the work for you.

Has he "dumped" you?

As for brown nosing I think we all know there is a difference. NLUK - I'm sure you could cause an argument in an empty room.

Sales pitch is letting the current client know what you can do, letting them know your skills, putting yourself in the frame.

Brown nosing is getting on side with the client just to get an extension. Generally, involves only doing tasks where you know you're going to look good, ignoring other stuff. Taking credit for other stuff. Im sure we've all met them.

[psychocandy]

Exactly this.

Like I said, it depends. There's doing a good job which is one thing entirely.

But surely we've all met the person be it perm or contractor who is mega popular with the client when everyone else knows that in reality they are crap. These people play games, know what it takes to play the game, deliberately refuse to get involved in stuff where it might make them look bad, and/or take credit for work not theirs.

[BolshieBastard]

Nine years with the same client. Still a contractor and most definitely not part and parcel of the client's organisation. It all depends on how you work.

Last I heard you say you were not working in the UK?

[LondonManc]

Shame that only one of those examples is actually of a contract that is not renewable and extensions wouldn't be available. The rest have nothing to do with whether a contract is to be renewed or not. 3 are of contractors dumping the client. Nice one.

1 & 2 are virtually the same thing, or at least given interchangeably as reasons not to renew to some people we've had leaving dos for. Both imply a finite budget. I've had a two week extension in the past because that's all the contractor could afford.

3. Fair enough, D&C could be creeping in, but it's up to the contractor to decide if they can/want to rescue the situation.

4. Bit of a meh reason and the sort of contractor that the OP's client is clearly cautious of. They could have been left in the lurch before.

5. Is D&C or a lack of negotiation skills on the contractor's part to discuss overtime.

6. Is also the type of contractor that the OP's client is clearly cautious of

[MrMarkyMark]

Sales pitch is letting the current client know what you can do, letting them know your skills, putting yourself in the frame.

Hmmm, maybe to you, but not completely how I operate.

How about providing short, medium and longer term recommendations for them to invest and spend more money?

i.e. Proper consultancy

You have to be able to be experienced enough to provide strong justifications, risks and issues, required resourcing etc. etc.

I am anything but a brown noser and I am told I can be very forthright at times .

Have had least a years worth of extensions, at client co, that way, leading up to a team of 9 contractors.
All very useful to increase your number of contacts, who may be able to provide business, in the future.