6 month or 12 month contract - which is best?

[TheFaQQer]

True enough about the notice thing but I'd be tempted to say 12. Then you've not got the fannying around at 5 1/2 months trying to get extension sorted.

And you'd hope that if they want to go for 12 months now they'd have the budget all allocated for it now so again less hassle.

That's what I'd do. You may miss the chance to renegotiate an increase at 6 months, but I'd think you have a slightly more secure role, regardless of the "only having the notice period" actuality - some clients forget that they can bin you off early.

[VectraMan]

That's what I'd do. You may miss the chance to renegotiate an increase at 6 months, but I'd think you have a slightly more secure role, regardless of the "only having the notice period" actuality - some clients forget that they can bin you off early.

That. Most people understand the concept of an annual pay rise, so I think you're much more likely to be successful getting one at 12 months than 6. The only question is are you willing to commit yourself for 12 months?

[psychocandy]

That's what I'd do. You may miss the chance to renegotiate an increase at 6 months, but I'd think you have a slightly more secure role, regardless of the "only having the notice period" actuality - some clients forget that they can bin you off early.

And there are a lot of clients for whom pro-actively doing something (i.e. sorting extension or binning you) takes a lot of doing.

[Brussels Slumdog]

12 months makes you sound committed

If you agree to 12 months then you sound more committed and you can always terminate the contract based on your contracts terms. If you say 6 months then they may offer someone who agrees to 12 months the contract

Its normally agents who try to knock down the rate for long term contracts as they think that they are securing you long term work

[TheFaQQer]

And there are a lot of clients for whom pro-actively doing something (i.e. sorting extension or binning you) takes a lot of doing.

Indeed - current PM told me this morning "I've spoken to <name of VP in charge>" about your extension.

Spoke to the VP and she's heard nothing - there's a big difference between "spoken to" and "emailed".

Contract expires on Tuesday.

[psychocandy]

Indeed - current PM told me this morning "I've spoken to <name of VP in charge>" about your extension.

Spoke to the VP and she's heard nothing - there's a big difference between "spoken to" and "emailed".

Contract expires on Tuesday.

Yep. Same with me. I tell agency I aint interested in all this 'spoken to', 'promised', 'decided' bollacks.

I'll compromise with an email from the agency confirming extension and won't be funny about the actual contract as long as it arrives in a few days (although aint had one due 1st april yet!).

But, once or twice, the email aint arrived which seems to me that agency aint quite as convinced as they are trying to tell me....

[Mr.Whippy]

If you agree to 12 months then you sound more committed and you can always terminate the contract based on your contracts terms.

Unless your contract states you can't terminate. Asymmetric notice periods seem to be more and more common these days.

I've turned down a 12 month extension and asked for 6 because I didn't want to be tied in for 12 months as they could still terminate with a week.