Nudging manager about extension

[psychocandy]

I spoke to the guy responsible for agreeing the extension and once I'd got his verbal confirmation I got the agent to get it sorted.

A week later and it's still not done...

How long left now? MAybe time to start looking just in case....

[BigRed]

I've often found the client lead time with security access, provisioning a laptop etc is done while I'm onsite twiddling my thumbs. They still want me to start immediately but pay me to sit there doing nothing for a month.

[b0redom]

I always start looking 6-8 weeks out. I've only been at this 10 years, but despite agents all saying "We need someone immediately." I've yet to turn up (even after taking 4 weeks to finish up my contract) and find my accounts have been set up, I have a laptop and I'm ready to go.

Never ever happened.

Sure clients will say they need someone immediately, but once you start going down the interview etc process things start to drag on.

YMMV.

[clearedforlanding]

I've often found the client lead time with security access, provisioning a laptop etc is done while I'm onsite twiddling my thumbs. They still want me to start immediately but pay me to sit there doing nothing for a month.

I had a miserable 6 weeks with my Indian client eyeballing me across the desk and asking me what I was doing 12 times a day. There wasn't much I could do rather than shuffle printed out powerpoint presentations.

I still have more flashbacks than a Vietnam vet on that one and have point blank refused to step foot on site without ID and credentials in place ever since.

[Danglekt]

I think the point is you tell THEM you will be looking in X weeks to focus their minds - it has always worked with me on the gigs I think there is an extension opporunity

[d000hg]

Just remind the person you work with day-to-day that your contract is coming up for renewal, and ask if they plan to offer you an extension. He mightn't even be aware.

[Sam Sung]

Well that frikken well backfired....

DE-BOOMED !!

What is it with clients cancelling a mere week before the end??? Just let the damn thing run, I had work to get on with!!

Oh well, good thing the ol' War-chest is looking healthy....this was supposed to be my last gig in IT and may still be. One last one for the road if it's forthcoming.

[wantacontract]

Well that frikken well backfired....

DE-BOOMED !!

What is it with clients cancelling a mere week before the end??? Just let the damn thing run, I had work to get on with!!

Oh well, good thing the ol' War-chest is looking healthy....this was supposed to be my last gig in IT and may still be. One last one for the road if it's forthcoming.

any notice?? Which would mean you stick around til the end? Last gig in IT! Lucky you!

[BolshieBastard]

In 17 years contracting, Ive only ever had one job where they needed someone to start 'immediately.' Only immediately was the middle of next week. And even when I did start, the project wasnt ready to start but hey who cares?

Current role client has fannied around with my extended date behind the scenes. they eventually decided how long about 3 weeks before the end of the contract but decided as it was 3 weeks away, they didnt need to move fast.

I had to get onto them and the agent to remind them i couldnt come in the Monday after the contract ended if there was no contract in place. Funnily enough, that got their attention and they sorted it pronto.

[TykeMerc]

In 17 years contracting, Ive only ever had one job where they needed someone to start 'immediately.' Only immediately was the middle of next week. And even when I did start, the project wasnt ready to start but hey who cares?

Current role client has fannied around with my extended date behind the scenes. they eventually decided how long about 3 weeks before the end of the contract but decided as it was 3 weeks away, they didnt need to move fast.

I had to get onto them and the agent to remind them i couldnt come in the Monday after the contract ended if there was no contract in place. Funnily enough, that got their attention and they sorted it pronto.

I've only had one genuine "immediately" too, I started the day after the project kickoff meeting as they couldn't get me building access the day before. What passed for an interview was a 30 min call and a face to face 3 hours later at a service station on the M5 and started 2 days later.
I've been brought in to replace PM's who've been booted for being crap, gone sick, been hit by a car and been sent to do a higher profile project, while urgent they were all a week or more lead time on the actual start.