Must start next week

[norrahe]

I dont see the problem. The requirement is start in a week or dont start. Simple really.

It's not often I find myself agreeing with BB but yes, that's how contracting works.

I've been contacted by agents at 2pm on a Thursday and interviewed an hour later with a start for the following Monday.

Though I also agree with configman, there are a lot of "urgent" requirements from agents and its rare when you ask the client about the start date that they want you ASAP.

[Bluespider]

Up Where I lurk (Edinburgh) most of the Finance sector contracts appear with 'Urgent Start', 'urgent requirement' etc but when it comes down to it there is at least a week needed to perform the clearances needed and generally another week once on site to sort out logins and equipment.
I think, generally, nodding and saying yes to the agent and then trying to find out what the client wants is the best course of action.

[darmstadt]

I think its a 50/50 thing. I've had the 'must start next week' and have started the next week but also I've had the phone call saying that they still have to get it approved so I take them all with a pinch of salt. What gets me is when you tell the agent that you're in a contract that finishes at a certain date and then you can do it but they still push you for the interview. I'm not going to pack in a contract just in case and I'm sure they wouldn't like it happening to them in return...

[Netraider]

Interview Friday afternoon (Just Gone). Started on the Monday with all paperwork complete, and IT etc all set up ready to go.

[norrahe]

Interview Friday afternoon (Just Gone). Started on the Monday with all paperwork complete, and IT etc all set up ready to go.

Scary, now that doesn't happen very often

[meridian]

One contract contacted me on the Wednesday for an interview the same day. They offered me the job and said that that I needed to start the following Monday in Vevey Switzerland. I had a UK holiday booked but they needed someone urgently.

I was waiting at reception 9.00 monday sharp...

Coincidentally, I had a similar thing in the same location, except the agent rang me on the Friday and said I want you there Monday.

Managed to negotiate him to Tuesday.

Must be a GLOBE-al thing........

[manclarky]

How do you guys approach the situation when an agent rings up and gives you all the speil about the client wanting you to start next week... and it is already mid-week and you live 300 miles from the site?

I had just got back from a week's holiday (between contracts you see) and got a call at 9:00am Monday morning saying I'd got the job (230 miles away) and when could I start?

I said that if they were desperate, I'd be there for about 2pm, otherwise in the morning.
They went back to the client (major UK airline) who weren't as desperate as the agent, so I started on the Thursday.

No problem - it is (to me) the beauty of contracting (that and the pay of course)

[ChimpMaster]

One contract contacted me on the Wednesday for an interview the same day. They offered me the job and said that that I needed to start the following Monday in Vevey Switzerland. I had a UK holiday booked but they needed someone urgently.

I was waiting at reception 9.00 monday sharp...

Nestlé? I worked there for almost 2 years, lovely place though after that long it was getting a bit boring! I still remember the amazing view of the mountains from the main Nestlé building (we were of course based in the I.T. building with not so great a view).

I still miss my favourite restaurant there, and Italian which did a lovely lamb chop dish. Oh and the quaint little cafe where 2 old ladies served up the best ever chicken and chips!

And don't forget the gentlemen's club above the pizzeria on the lake front! That was blinkin awful

[Thejacka1]

I've had a pending Interview with a Japanese Bank since before Christmas. They say they wont interview me unless I'm able to start immediately. I've been phoned by 7 other agents about this job so I must be a fairly good fit.

I'm under contract to another bank with a 4 week notice period, contract ends in February. I've said I'd make best efforts to finish early but cant make any promises. I'd prefer to finish the contract here but timing jobs seems to be a tricky business.

I've been told by agents that clients prefer candidates to be in employment as they see it as being "risky" to take on somebody who hasn't got a gig.

I'm pretty confident they wont find anybody else with the skills they want, especially with immediate availablility, I'm certainly not going up to my current boss and ask him if they'll let me go IF I get the job!

[nomadd]

I've been told by agents that clients prefer candidates to be in employment as they see it as being "risky" to take on somebody who hasn't got a gig.

And the lesson here? Don't listen to agents, they are full of sh...