Short decent contract or stick with poor long term contract?

[psychocandy]

Yeah for a 10 week gig the agency does the same up-front work as a 10 month one. If it's a decent rate than 15% is still a decent slice so push for 10%.

I say take it either way, that's 5 months at your current gig.

True enough. And the client has pretty much told the agency that theres no extensions so, like you said, its all they're gonna get for the upfront work.

Rate isnt stupendous. Just worked it out and over the 10 weeks they're only going to make a few thousand £ out of this.

Yep. 10 weeks = 20 weeks of current gig.

Although, Im guessing for 10 week gig they aint gonna give me notice period. And it would probably be uncool. Current gid is 1 week and they know the score.

Potentially, if a cracking 6 monther came along a week later I'd be stuffed whereas where I am now I'm in a position to take it. This new gig is 'ok' rate-wise (still 2x current) but its still £50/day below market and I've had 25% better again in the past.

[psychocandy]

15% is not high for a 10 week gig. We have had discussions where agents have told us 10-12% is about fair and that will before 3, 6 or more months. Give it a shot but you are going to be pressed to get a worthwhile cut out of that. It's all money in your pocket so try something but I wouldn't be rocking the boat at those numbers.

Yeh true enough.

[DirtyDog]

Although, Im guessing for 10 week gig they aint gonna give me notice period. And it would probably be uncool. Current gid is 1 week and they know the score.

NEGOTIATE.

[d000hg]

You don't need a notice period. Do your bloody job without spending the time looking for something else You have 10 weeks afterwards to find something, remember? So you realistically only need to wait 8 weeks before starting to look anyway.

[GillsMan]

Yup, I agree with D000hg. It's only 10 weeks, so take that gig, do the full 10 weeks, and only start looking for new gigs at about the 8 week mark. Make some new connections, work on a new project, and that's pretty valuable as well as the money.

[Gordon Ice]

PCs contract dilemna of the day...

Current contract is poor rate, 60 miles from home. Technology is ok but not my main skill (and its the skill that generally pays less). BUT, its a nice place to work, laid back etc and chances are it will run and run.

On shortlist of 2 for another contract. 2x current rate (still not excellent rate but not bad), 30 miles from home. Main tech so good experience there as well. Know someone whos worked there and apparently its also good place to work. BUT the big but is its only for 8 weeks whilst they try to find a permie. Appreciate it sometimes takes longer but it could just be 8 weeks.

OK, so current gig I dont see myself long term and, in effect, 8 weeks new contract = 16 weeks current gig. Nothing guaranteed of course in current gig and who knows for new one but its a decision to make.

Views?

Change is healthy and helps you avoid becoming stale and irrelevant in an ever changing world. You're already admitting that your current gig isn't exactly a shining example of contractor heaven so why not risk it and give the new gig a chance? You never know, a whole set of new opportunities may present themselves. Change is inevitable, don't fight it, use it to your advantage.

[psychocandy]

Client. Permie hiring is in progess. Current one leaves 2 weeks.

[psychocandy]

Bollacks. Didn't get it... :-(

[Manz]

My contract was 8 weeks. 2.5 years later and I can't see an escape anytime soon...

I was in the same situation although last week I was told that they can only keep me until April because they want to make my role permanent and advertise it internally, although they may need to keep me a little longer for the handover period, but if they can't find an internal employee for the role they might advertise it externally and then my manager said I should apply for it.