Reply to: Exiting out of contract before starting

[Taita]

He didn't say slow did he? He said screening process. Slightly different. Either way, neither are a reason to carte blanch screw people over just because you see fit.

I do hate this mercenary attitude, particularly from first timers who then think it's they way to do it. Yes in certain situations I would consider it if there is some burning reason to but it certainly isn't my first thought and I wouldn't just do at the drop as a hat which seems to the be the attitude going around at the moment. There is a balance between the best thing for you, and acting professionally towards your clients. Sometimes that slightly better opportunity (but not in writing) just has to be let go and you do what you should.

But you are advocating consideration for the other party. My My! Is that really British, these days? Aren't we all supposed to just look after number one and bend the rules every time so they suit us?

[diseasex]

Doesn't that answer your question as to what you should do, and whether their reaction will be all nice and friendly?

If you don't have direct access, how do you know the client said you were the best one and the others were pretty poor? Did you read it in your tea leaves?

If you are the agency's only candidate, you hold the cards, if you walk, they have nothing. So insist on direct access to have that conversation, and if they won't give it, walk, and blame the agency for killing the agreement. It's not unreasonable to want to talk to the client when circumstances change. Maybe the agency will reduce their cut to prevent you walking.

Of course, if you are just determined to take the other contract, you are determined to take the other contract. That kind of thing usually comes back at you someday.

I just wanted to know what you guys(other contractors) would do in such situation. I made my mind before posting and will deliver the contract, despite that being so tempting. I know I will get where I want sooner or later, and the current rate is still nice.

[WordIsBond]

So I would be majorly screwing them over...

Doesn't that answer your question as to what you should do, and whether their reaction will be all nice and friendly?

If you don't have direct access, how do you know the client said you were the best one and the others were pretty poor? Did you read it in your tea leaves?

If you are the agency's only candidate, you hold the cards, if you walk, they have nothing. So insist on direct access to have that conversation, and if they won't give it, walk, and blame the agency for killing the agreement. It's not unreasonable to want to talk to the client when circumstances change. Maybe the agency will reduce their cut to prevent you walking.

Of course, if you are just determined to take the other contract, you are determined to take the other contract. That kind of thing usually comes back at you someday.

[WordIsBond]

I like this, but there are probably still clients out there who would assume your just trying to leverage the rate.

So while you might get the outcome you want (role withdrawn) you might still get a bad name.

Good point. If you ask for a higher rate, you are probably right. If you are just offering them the chance to offer it to someone else, probably not an issue.

[TheFaQQer]

I really don't know what to do, as I want to continue gaining contracts in the long-term, the client is in FS, so hopefully there isn't any blacklists.

The best way to avoid being on a blacklist is to not do anything that might put you on a blacklist.

If you want to be certain to avoid the blacklist, it should be obvious what to do.

[patrickbaitsman]

I'll tell you what I'd do.

If the second contract is a sure thing, I'd talk to the first client. I'd simply say, "I've had another offer, and it is better than this one. I've given my word here, and I'll stick by it, I'm not going to leave you hanging. But if you had another candidate that you viewed about equally with me, I wouldn't mind at all if you went with him instead."

You'll like the guy you see in your mirror. They'll respect you either way. Agent will have nothing to say if the client decides to go another direction.

If you are far better than their other candidates, they might even increase the rate to keep you. If there is someone else just as good, they'll go another direction and you are clear but they'll remember you in a good light rather than a bad light. Whatever they decide, they'll walk out of that conversation saying, "This guy handled this like a real professional." They'll generally treat you well because you treated them well -- not always, but most people work that way.

And if you stay with them, at worst you will have laid the groundwork for an increase in rate at renewal, because they know you can get gigs at a higher rate than they are paying you.

That's what I'd do. YMMV.

This just in possible under the circumstances, as Northern mentioned - I don't have access directly to the client. And the agency, I was there only candidate so they would do everything in their power to stop that.

The client said I was the best one, and all the others were pretty poor. So they need me to join as soon as possible, and they are just waiting for me to finish my current one - the client has all there eggs in the basket for me. So I would be majorly screwing them over...

I really don't know what to do, as I want to continue gaining contracts in the long-term, the client is in FS, so hopefully there isn't any blacklists.

[TheFaQQer]

read that between lines. They are waiting my notice.

You hope.

[GlenW]

How do you know if you don't have a direct line to the client? How do you know they didn't continue interviewing via a different agent?

Because the client know he is the canine testes, the mut's nuts, numbero uno at his job and an all-round good guy, so why would they continue interviewing.

We know he is a deluded troll but they don't.

[diseasex]

How do you know if you don't have a direct line to the client? How do you know they didn't continue interviewing via a different agent?

read that between lines. They are waiting my notice.

[GillsMan]

That wouldn't work for 2 reasons in my case:
I don't have direct line to the customer yet
They immediately stopped interviewing after my interview, and before that they couldn't find a candidate so I doubt they have anyone else

But the advice is good, and ill keep that in mind for the future, thanks!

How do you know if you don't have a direct line to the client? How do you know they didn't continue interviewing via a different agent?

[jmo21]

I'll tell you what I'd do.

If the second contract is a sure thing, I'd talk to the first client. I'd simply say, "I've had another offer, and it is better than this one. I've given my word here, and I'll stick by it, I'm not going to leave you hanging. But if you had another candidate that you viewed about equally with me, I wouldn't mind at all if you went with him instead."

You'll like the guy you see in your mirror. They'll respect you either way. Agent will have nothing to say if the client decides to go another direction.

If you are far better than their other candidates, they might even increase the rate to keep you. If there is someone else just as good, they'll go another direction and you are clear but they'll remember you in a good light rather than a bad light. Whatever they decide, they'll walk out of that conversation saying, "This guy handled this like a real professional." They'll generally treat you well because you treated them well -- not always, but most people work that way.

And if you stay with them, at worst you will have laid the groundwork for an increase in rate at renewal, because they know you can get gigs at a higher rate than they are paying you.

That's what I'd do. YMMV.

I like this, but there are probably still clients out there who would assume your just trying to leverage the rate.

So while you might get the outcome you want (role withdrawn) you might still get a bad name.

[northernladuk]

Look after number 1

Indeed but acting liking a tosser and dumping clients for a couple of quid more isn't always the best way of doing that in the long run.

[diseasex]

I'll tell you what I'd do.

If the second contract is a sure thing, I'd talk to the first client. I'd simply say, "I've had another offer, and it is better than this one. I've given my word here, and I'll stick by it, I'm not going to leave you hanging. But if you had another candidate that you viewed about equally with me, I wouldn't mind at all if you went with him instead."

You'll like the guy you see in your mirror. They'll respect you either way. Agent will have nothing to say if the client decides to go another direction.

If you are far better than their other candidates, they might even increase the rate to keep you. If there is someone else just as good, they'll go another direction and you are clear but they'll remember you in a good light rather than a bad light. Whatever they decide, they'll walk out of that conversation saying, "This guy handled this like a real professional." They'll generally treat you well because you treated them well -- not always, but most people work that way.

And if you stay with them, at worst you will have laid the groundwork for an increase in rate at renewal, because they know you can get gigs at a higher rate than they are paying you.

That's what I'd do. YMMV.

That wouldn't work for 2 reasons in my case:
I don't have direct line to the customer yet
They immediately stopped interviewing after my interview, and before that they couldn't find a candidate so I doubt they have anyone else

But the advice is good, and ill keep that in mind for the future, thanks!

[psychocandy]

Hi guys I have similar situation. Ive got a gig and that company is kindly waiting my entire notice because I was best candidate. Now half way through notice I went for another interview and immediately got it - 50 more daily , closer to home and more importantly - better technologies (better paid).
This would be my first contract
Now because they are waiting my notice and I already signed the contract I would be total ass to back out now and probably burn the bridge with agent that was fighting with them so they would wait the notice?

Your thoughts?

Look after number 1

[GillsMan]

I'll tell you what I'd do.

If the second contract is a sure thing, I'd talk to the first client. I'd simply say, "I've had another offer, and it is better than this one. I've given my word here, and I'll stick by it, I'm not going to leave you hanging. But if you had another candidate that you viewed about equally with me, I wouldn't mind at all if you went with him instead."

You'll like the guy you see in your mirror. They'll respect you either way. Agent will have nothing to say if the client decides to go another direction.

If you are far better than their other candidates, they might even increase the rate to keep you. If there is someone else just as good, they'll go another direction and you are clear but they'll remember you in a good light rather than a bad light. Whatever they decide, they'll walk out of that conversation saying, "This guy handled this like a real professional." They'll generally treat you well because you treated them well -- not always, but most people work that way.

And if you stay with them, at worst you will have laid the groundwork for an increase in rate at renewal, because they know you can get gigs at a higher rate than they are paying you.

That's what I'd do. YMMV.

That's great advice tbf. Really recommend this approach.