Are lots of short-term contracts a liability?

[minestrone]

I just finished a contract for a big US investment bank, they told me that I was lucky to get to the interview as they figured some of my contracts were too short term. They asked me about it at the interview and I was quick to let them know that most of my jobs are 'get the job done and get out.

It's a mindset, the big banks think they can bring someone in and they will be there for as long as they produce the goods. IF you get bumped after 3 months there was obviously something wrong. You just have to explain that it's not like that everywhere.

[d000hg]

Jesus farking christ, this thread is all about a non-problem.

And whoever posted that drivel about short term contracts making a contractor look tulipe,

But based on anecdotal evidence in this thread, many clients don't think the same way we do. And the bad news is, their views are the important ones.

[DodgyAgent]

A contractor with a lot of short contracts worries me. I will always go back to length of tenure at permanent positions. If you are going to have lots of short term contracts try and go back somewhere that you have been before.
There are also certain contracts such as project management where clients want people who have seen projects through from start to finish.

Seeing contractors with extensions on their contracts is always reassuring.

[minestrone]

Seeing contractors with extensions on their contracts is always reassuring.

I always just put (contract) after the client name, do agents prefer to see (2*3 month contract) or something like that? Do clients prefer to see that?

[DodgyAgent]

I always just put (contract) after the client name, do agents prefer to see (2*3 month contract) or something like that? Do clients prefer to see that?

If you are a short term troubleshooter then short contracts are fine. If you are an end to end project manager/program manager then too many short contracts are not good. Really the CV just needs to effect whatever you are suitable for. The problems come when you apply for a job that requires a different set of values to the ones that can be seen on your CV.
I would say that you should always put yourself in the position of whover will be hiring you (if you can given the ltd information you get from agencies)