Unethical or normal

[Adamski]

Hi all

I'm a newbie and started my first contract this week (wey-hey)! Was a permie - handed my notice in to make myself available. Had a bottom line daily rate, but sat at home for 3 weeks getting a bit nervous thinking I had made a mistake. Anyway, eventually got offered a contract but the rate was substantially lower than my minimum but took it anyway since didn't think it was likely to get anything else before Xmas, and mainly cos it was a 3-month contract. Plan was to do a 3-monther and look for better rates after new year once everything picks up. Prob is that now that I've started, the impression I'm being given by client is that they will need someone for a longer period of time. I obviously don't want to say that I would be unlikely to renew since it's only been a week, but feel a bit unethical that I let them train me etc. I'm not lying, but feel a bit deceitful...should I keep my mouth shut until I'm asked directly if I would renew or not? Is this normal practice as I feel that they should have been more realistic about the timeframes initially and taken someone on that was maybe looking to commit for a longer period of time so it's not my fault is it???Or should I just be a bit more thick-skinned and take what I can get? Any thoughts/advice?

[MrsGoof]

I'd keep my mouth shut untill I was asked or tell them with about 3 weks to go that you will not be extending.

Don't worry about ethics or feeling guilty, our MarillioFan gets through a contract a month.

[To BI or not to BI?]

Or just renegotiate the contract and ask for more money

[Cowboy Bob]

You have signed a 3 month contract. You are not obligated to work longer than that. If they wanted someone longer term, then they should have offered a longer term contract. Ask for a rate rise at renewal, and if they don't give you it, just walk. Business is business. Nothing unethical about that.

[expat]

You have signed a 3 month contract. You are not obligated to work longer than that. If they wanted someone longer term, then they should have offered a longer term contract.

Exaaaaaactly!

[lukemg]

Get 'em young, treat 'em rough and tell 'em nothing...oh sorry that's different advice.
Right, you owe the client 3 months work, that is all. That sees you through till happier contract seeking times in March/April. They will likely approach you for an extension (many contracts start with 3 months and get extended) as the weeks click by you don't need to give any promises when being told an extension is likely, an 'OK good' is enough.
4 weeks to go you need to get back into the market and find out the going rate for your work. Ideally, get a better paying contract and bail.
If not, ask for more money at renewal, minimum 10% and dig heels in hard, be prepared to leave (only way to play hardball). You have some strengths after 3 months - they want you, you have local knowledge, they hopefully like you and there is a cost in time, effort etc in getting someone else in to replace you.
Agent could be creaming loads off the top (especially done to newbies) also, which if you can find out means you can get stuck into their cut also. This will only be the case if no PSL arrangement exists (most big places with many contractors have these)
Good Luck.

[MarillionFan]

I do not go through a contract a month!

"but sat at home for 3 weeks getting a bit nervous thinking I had made a mistake. Anyway, eventually got offered a contract but the rate was substantially lower than my minimum"

When I give advise to people who want to contracting I always tell them, the second contract is more difficult to get than the first. Why?

Well you have given that exact reason. You normally tend to take anything on the first one, good or bad, normally bad. Then you have expectations for the 2nd, you want a better one, more money etc.

Good luck to you.

[Adamski]

Thanks all...thats what I thought but suppose didn't quite sit right with me - have to get out of this permie loyalty mindset. Don't worry - am already half way there. Just felt a little guilty as the people are so nice here, but at the end of the day, if they think I'm worth it, they'll pay the rate, else am sure there will be other stuff around in the NY. Thanks for the advice tho all and have a nice evening!

[ratewhore]

wasn't there another adamski on here a while back?

[Sockpuppet]

Thanks all...thats what I thought but suppose didn't quite sit right with me - have to get out of this permie loyalty mindset. Don't worry - am already half way there. Just felt a little guilty as the people are so nice here, but at the end of the day, if they think I'm worth it, they'll pay the rate, else am sure there will be other stuff around in the NY. Thanks for the advice tho all and have a nice evening!

You had loyalty as a permie? Wow...well makes one of us