First contract renewal advice

[jmo21]

I'd think having been re-hired for an additional 3 monther sounds better than a six monther...

Sort of implies they found another need and immediatly thought of you...

Yeah, possibly.

I think I'd just put it down as 6 months though with a renewal, instead of faffing explaining I was immediatly rehired. Could be taken as you trying to make something out of what was really an admin mistake on the clients side, or a cost cutting effort, and you trying to make it something it's not - even if it was!

ah, feck it, so many ways to interpret these things!

[Barley]

Yeah, possibly.

I think I'd just put it down as 6 months though with a renewal, instead of faffing explaining I was immediatly rehired. Could be taken as you trying to make something out of what was really an admin mistake on the clients side, or a cost cutting effort, and you trying to make it something it's not - even if it was!

ah, feck it, so many ways to interpret these things!

Re whether to take the entension, I think others have expressed my view, i.e. its better to have a bird in the hand etc. Besides, whos to say if you get a 6 monther instead that you might hate it.


Concerning how to express extensions on your CV, I always put something like.

Jun 2010 - Sep 2011 Initially 6 months, extended to 15 months.

[TheFaQQer]

Re whether to take the entension, I think others have expressed my view, i.e. its better to have a bird in the hand etc

Always remember that the bird in the hand can still sh!t on your wrist.

[curtis]

(c) renewals are actually more valuable than one long gig.

This is a good point. I have always preferred if I'm in a long contract say 9 months for it to be 9 months made up of 3 3 monthers rather than signing up intially to the full 9 months (I get bored easily so easier escape if wanted) but now reading that I can see why it would actually be better anyhow that way.

Also any contracts I have where they offer me a renewal where the job is ok I will take as I know there will be plenty that will come up that I won't like and won't stay so make the most of the ones that are ok.

[Wanderer]

If I do want to discuss and renegotiate terms, presumably this should be with the agent and not the client?

Noooooo! Unless the client insists on it, DON'T go and negotiate with the agent!!

Negotiate directly with the client, the PCG can give you a bullet proof IR35 avoider's contract and go direct with the client like a proper business.

If you didn't opt out of the agency regs and you have been away for a couple of months then you can get rid of the agent.

If the client really wants to use an agent then find one who will factor the payments for a 5-7% cut of the client's money.

At very least, discuss your rate with the client and let them beat the agency up to lower their margin to something reasonable.

[TheFaQQer]

If you didn't opt out of the agency regs and you have been away for a couple of months then you can get rid of the agent.

Unless the OP took a really long Christmas break, then (s)he hasn't been away for long enough to even consider it.

Also, that only works if there is no restriction in the agency-client contract on taking them on direct.

[tarbera]

onhh my

Hi all,

Being new to the market I'm looking for a bit of advice from the more seasoned among you.

I just finished my first contract, it was a 3 month contract and I took a hit on my rate expectations primarily because it offered me skills I didn't have which I knew would add significant value to my CV. Wanting to get that first contract under my belt and on my CV was also a factor. The contract ended at the Christmas break so I have been back on the market since then. I have had some interest and even an interview for a contract which I decided wasn't for me.

However, the client from my previous contract has just been in touch saying they have another 3 months of work coming up, due to start at the end of the month, and I am their preferred choice. My dilemma is that ideally I am looking for a longer contract (6-9 months) at a rate much closer to the market rate for someone with my skills and experience.

The burgeoning hard-nosed contractor in me is saying I should say thanks but no thanks and hold out for a contract that meets my expectations. Alternatively I could try and negotiate a better rate though I don't think it is likely they will be able to come close to my expectations.

The more cautious part of me is saying I shouldn't turn down work and a contract extension would also add value to my CV.

If I do want to discuss and renegotiate terms, presumably this should be with the agent and not the client?

Any thoughts?

If your CV came to my desk and you had one 3 month stint with no renewal I would simply bin it, as I would think you must be tulip.

A renewal always looks good for future clients.

[sharper1]

Well, I have begun negotiations with the agent on this contract, just waiting to see how it plays out.

A couple of other details that might have an impact on my decision in that the contract is only for 2 months and starts in February! Should I feel a little uneasy about signing this contract with a 2 or 3 weeks to go before it starts?

[TheFaQQer]

Well, I have begun negotiations with the agent on this contract, just waiting to see how it plays out.

A couple of other details that might have an impact on my decision in that the contract is only for 2 months and starts in February! Should I feel a little uneasy about signing this contract with a 2 or 3 weeks to go before it starts?

I don't like agreeing to work at some vague stage in the future (or even a precise point in time) when anything can happen between now and then. If the contract falls through, then you have potentially turned down other, definite work.

I wouldn't sign it, and would be careful that while indicating that you will sign and send it back, you do nothing which might legally be construed as accepting the role. Keep looking, and if else comes up before you start, then take that.

[The Spartan]

I just want to say I've been following this thread and have found it really invaluable, the advice you guys dish out is superb.