Notice Period - Moving from Perm to Contract

[the_duderama]

Just secured my first first contract, wahooo!

I need to give my current employer 4 weeks notice, client and agent are happy with that, and I have received confirmation from the agent via email and telephone after a 1 hour phone interview with said client.

Due to the agent being off today and tomorrow, and that they would not issue it until references were checked and other admin stuff was done I'll not actually get the contract in paper form until next week. I do have a "standard" contract from email and all the TC's from the client/agent, and both the agent and client are large and well known.

Problem is I will have to hand in my notice before receiving the physical contract. It all looks very legitimate and perhaps I am being a little paranoid, but I am unsure if this is a good idea after reading how flakey the agents can be. I do get the impression this agent is geniune, they only asked for references etc after the postion was confirmed with the client, so I am tempted to take the risk.

I am really looking forward to doing this contracting lark, to be honest it is one of the reasons why I got into IT in the first place, loads of wedge, lots of differnt stuff and places to see, so i am very motivated, maybes just having a few jitters before i leap.

What do you guys/gals think?

[Turion]

"....they would not issue it until references were checked and "

Oh dear! and if you gave your managers name, your employer will already know your plans. The agent will also be busy recruiting your replacement

The only way is forward, matey - down to luck now. good luck in your contracting career.

[Hex]

Personally, in your situation, I'd just hand my notice in now. It sounds like it's very likely that the contract will come off. What will happen to you if it doesn't?

Will it be easy to get another contract?
Will it be possible to withdraw your notice - will they take you back?
Have you got a mortgate?
Have you got funds to survive for a while if the contract didn't come off?

Sounds to me, like it's likely to work out for you, but you need to consider the answer to the questions above and work out how much risk you're happy with.

Looking at it another way, you could tell the agent that you will not be handing in your 4 weeks notice until you have the contract in your hands. This might speed them up a bit.

[Cheshire Cat]

...you could tell the agent that you will not be handing in your 4 weeks notice until you have the contract in your hands. This might speed them up a bit.

That's exactly what I did when moving from perm to contract. Cue a load of "couldn't you just hand your notice in now, anyway?" from the agent.
Got hard-copy of contract the next day.

[malvolio]

I am really looking forward to doing this contracting lark, to be honest it is one of the reasons why I got into IT in the first place, loads of wedge, lots of differnt stuff and places to see,

Hmmm... perhaps you haven't thought this through yet? I assume you've studied and understood the first timer guides?

Whatever, hope it all goes well. Just remember it is no longer a lark, it's a serious career choice.

[NotAllThere]

Resign immediately. I resigned before I got my first contract - 13 years ago. Don't be a wuss.

[BrilloPad]

Due to the agent being off today and tomorrow, and that they would not issue it until references were checked and other admin stuff was done I'll not actually get the contract in paper form until next week.

seems dodgy to me. if they want you then they would rush it through - how many agents does agency have?

I have had the above before - and I waited. The client wants you? agency wants you? Then dont be a push-over.

[badger7579]

Its a bit of a leap of faith and 4 weeks is a loooooong time in contractor terms. It wouldn't surprise me if the position was filled before you finish your pem notice.

My advice is to save up enough to last you for 3 months and try to get a contract. This time of year is the best time to get one and the fact that you would be available immediatly is a big bonus.

Taking that initial leap is a tough decision..

[the_duderama]

Thanks for the responses, very helpful!

So i decided to take the plunge, the agent is just waiting for one of references to reply, but i know he will give me a good reference and that's he's probably just busy (being a director in quite a large organisation) so I'm not worried.

Plus I know my current employer will have problems replacing me, seems that good networking skills are rare where i live, and they were going to move me from our external support/implementation dept to our hosted envronment, so there is still a job even if they do fill my current role. They were very good about it all, sad to see me go, but happy that I'll be doing what I've always wanted to do.

Like i said both the agency and client are large and well known, so i'm not worried about the validity of the offer, guess I'm just a little nervous of such a large leap of faith, but if it all works out it will be well worth it!

Cheers!

[Wilmslow]

I am ASSUMING you have saved enough for 2 months worth of bills at the very least? If so, great.

If not,




What is your skillset, and are you flexible enough to have a Martini contract? Any time, any place, anywhere?

Your existing boss will now be contacted by agent, so will know.

4 weeks is a really long time for a contractor to join a team, very likely that they will get somebody else in the interim.

Best bet now - resign, and TRY to leave and join immediately.