Best Time of Year to start contracting?

[TheFaQQer]

September seems to be a bit better than summer, from what I can see - people are back from summer holidays. December to middle of January can be slow, as people are on a wind-down for Christmas.

I found April was slow for Oracle development, but I'm quite picky about what I want to be doing, where, and at what price.

[Ravello]

September seems to be a bit better than summer, from what I can see - people are back from summer holidays. December to middle of January can be slow, as people are on a wind-down for Christmas.

I found April was slow for Oracle development, but I'm quite picky about what I want to be doing, where, and at what price.

and you still went to Slough?

On topic: I'm also just looking for my first contract, finding that turnaround is slow at the moment due to hols but plenty of opportunities. Doing it the safe way as well and not yet handed in my notice - for the most part it's not caused too many problems, so if you're unsure it might be worth testing the water in this way first.

[gables]

I am always amazed how people can get a contract before handing in their notice and have the client wait, I guess it must work for very niche stuff.

Another point if you hand in your notice it will focus your mind!!

I did hear one story of a bloke (this is going back a bit now) whom hadn't handed in his notice but told agencies he was immediately available, he secured a contract, he then told his boss he had just accepted a job with a key competitor, at this point he was shown the door!! so became immediately available

Probably just an urban myth but I like it.

[weemster]

One thing most companies allow you to do is take unpaid leave. Say you have 4 weeks notice and find a contract that starts in two weeks then take two weeks unpaid.

[lukemg]

This comes up a lot and has a big impact on chances of getting a contract. If the agent has 6 people with the right skills, he is likely to choose the most available (or the cheapest if not on PSL). Permies often dip a toe in, apply for contracts then wet themselves because it's only 3 months and run back to their pension plans.
This makes the agent look a chump and they have to start again. You can bet they don't put a permie in again.
You HAVE to be available or appear to be, tell them the place is getting outsourced/end of project anything that means you are hungry for the work. That gives you a chance of being put forward (even if the agent says you will be, someone else might come in better and you get bumped off, agent won't tell you this)
Once you have the contract, go to your current boss, say you have been offered this role (claim a mate put you forward if you want) and that you would like to leave. Usually they will let you go early/unpaid/annual leave stored etc. Most places will wait 2 weeks and more if you are unique and they have been looking for ages.

[shoes]

If you're permie and want to contract save up your holiday entitlement. Resign your permie role when you sign the contract and take your holiday up until your last day. You will then be available from the day your holiday starts. Your employer has to allow you to take your holiday entitlement as actual days off rather than a payment in lieu due to some directive or other.

[gables]

If you're permie and want to contract save up your holiday entitlement. Resign your permie role when you sign the contract and take your holiday up until your last day. You will then be available from the day your holiday starts. Your employer has to allow you to take your holiday entitlement as actual days off rather than a payment in lieu due to some directive or other.

Yep that's exactly what I did, I put out my CV, had loads of interest but obviously and quite rightly unavailable in the agents's eyes. So, handed in my notice and then the phone went dead, I shat myself, secured a contract on the 'last' day of my holiday! - phew.

[richard-af]

I thought holiday was, by definition, time with an employer. So still under contract with them. No?

[jmcdglasgow]

Thanks for all the replies guys - it's been useful!

Currently, I'm in a situation where I'm working for a fairly small company who only have one project so far, and development work will come to an end by Nov time. So I'm bailing before things get nasty and the wolves start circling!

So I'm thinking I will resign on 1st Sep, and I have 14 days holidays...so this could work out quite nicely.

[shoes]

I thought holiday was, by definition, time with an employer. So still under contract with them. No?

I suppose technically that is true. But once you're out the door never to return they'd surely have better things to do than make sure you aren't sat in some other office instead of sitting on a beach like they might think you are. And if they do know, it would take quite a petty small minded middle management type to actually attempt to do anything about it. I guess breach of contract is what they could go for, assuming you had the intellectual property/not working for someone else type clauses in your employment contract. I suppose it's a small risk.