Securing That 2nd Contract

**DaveB** · 9 November 2006, 15:43

Start putting yourself about a bit when you have about a month or so left on your current gig. Update CV and get it on Jobserve etc, start chasing agents, follwing up adverts. The usual routine. Not much point in doing it earlier as most want a quick start rather than waiting 3 months.

**white-anglo-reactionary** · 9 November 2006, 16:52

Be in the know with Vaughan Vanderberg

There's a brilliant chapter on exactly this subject in "The IT Contractor Guide" by Vaughan Vanderburg. Get your copy RIGHT NOW from www.itcontractorguide.com

**Denny** · 9 November 2006, 17:35

Originally posted by DanTheMan

Hey,

OK as a brand spanking (an therefor completely novice and misguided) contractor
Cheers

Don't worry, DTM, about 99% of the contractors on here are completely misguided.

Being a newbie to this game, at least you have a good reason for it.

**kramer** · 9 November 2006, 17:37

can someone show me the way to the general forum???

**Denny** · 9 November 2006, 19:43

Originally posted by kramer

can someone show me the way to the general forum???

Just go to the top of the site page, click on CUK forums, then you will see an itemised list of site categories. Read down the list carefully, to see which one you want. In your case, it's GENERAL. This is the one at the very top spelt exactly as I have spelt it (if you don't know how to spell it). Then click into this and you will see an itemised list of threads down the left hand side. Click on the thread you actually want to read......

**thunderlizard** · 9 November 2006, 21:44

"Looks like it wont be up for renewal"

The trick is to arrange things that so that further work is your decision, not your customer's.

**DanTheMan** · 9 November 2006, 23:14

See, the last reply is something that is helpful. Having never negotiated contracts before it would be handy to know ways to achieve this.

As for the patronising crap from Kramer... pity you can't be as funny as the show mate.

**cojak** · 10 November 2006, 07:54

Originally posted by white-anglo-reactionary

There's a brilliant chapter on exactly this subject in "The IT Contractor Guide" by Vaughan Vanderburg. Get your copy RIGHT NOW from www.itcontractorguide.com

for a mere £X pounds...

Or you can keep reading on here for nothing.

REMEMBER Newbies: only pay for advice when it's worth it and they (hopefully) know what they're talking about. Accountants, solicitors, ITIL consultants and the like...

**lukemg** · 10 November 2006, 10:17

Dan - expect nothing from current agent, chances of him having the right role for you at the right time are remote to say the least. Note - despite sounding like your best friend, this is an illusion, they work for the client and are just keeping you sweet.
With 3-4 weeks to go, time to get in the game, get on the job boards and start to target a few jobs. You might get some issues because your end date is a couple of weeks away - make it very clear in the note with your CV that you are definately leaving current role. If they think there is a chance you will renew or are testing the water, they will pick someone more available (less likely to change mind if they get offered the job).
Basically - treat this as if you are looking for your first job, current role adds value to CV but it and current agent will not help and will likely hinder the process.
Stay confident, once the doubts set in, it becomes a struggle to get the right role/rate unless you are in high demand, even a couple of weeks on the bench can knock you down a bit.
Good luck.

Securing That 2nd Contract