Reply to: Looking for next gig while on client side

[seanraaron]

I would but I want to look like a complete tit while I do it. How would you do it?

Start taking calls between hymns?

[psychocandy]

Ohh Seanaaron, PC called you a bellend. You are not gonna stand up for that are, you having all this brass and that?

NLUK mun !!!

[psychocandy]

Well that's not a place I'd likely enjoy working anyway. I mean that sounds like you're working with someone who needs medication.

I used to have guys in my team asking about someone else coming or going at different hours and my answer was that that was a matter between me and their colleague and none of their business, just get back to work and stop worrying about what other people are doing. It's bad enough having to spend 7-8hrs a day in a place without treating the workplace like an actual prison!

No I will admit. But this is an extreme example.

But the point remains that its best not to do anything to upset the permies if you can.

Giving them the impression you're doing less work than them (whether true or not) and getting 2-3 times more pay (in their eyes) is sometimes enough to set off even the most chilled permie.

[northernladuk]

But would you be looking for a new parish whilst at the current one?

I would but I want to look like a complete tit while I do it. How would you do it?

[seanraaron]

As long as I can invoice for it I ain't fussy.

But would you be looking for a new parish whilst at the current one?

[northernladuk]

Or all three.

As long as I can invoice for it I ain't fussy.

[LondonManc]

You're like a scout master or a priest or a traffic cop on the side, right?

Or all three.

[seanraaron]

Ohh Seanaaron, PC called you a bellend. You are not gonna stand up for that are, you having all this brass and that?

You're like a scout master or a priest or a traffic cop on the side, right?

[SueEllen]

Wow seanaaron has managed to get Gables, PC and NLUK on the same side.

I need to go lie down.....

[northernladuk]

In my book, bottom line is you could be the most talented, resourceful person in the world, but if 2-3 permies moan to their boss that you're a bellend then you won't be staying at a client site.

Ohh Seanaaron, PC called you a bellend. You are not gonna stand up for that are, you having all this brass and that?

[LondonManc]

Yeh I didnt get this. Poster mentions they;re not paying sick leave etc as an excuse for wasting their paid time looking for further work? Doesnt add up.

Yes we all do it inc posting on here on clients time but jeez, no need to shove it in clients faces.

In my book, bottom line is you could be the most talented, resourceful person in the world, but if 2-3 permies moan to their boss that you're a bellend then you won't be staying at a client site.

On the basis that PC gets it, I'm out too.

[seanraaron]

Fair enough but in my experience, permies can get upset about the stupidest things. Some people its any chance to moan about the contractor. I've worked in places where some of them took it upon themselves to write down (to the minute) the time I arrived and left each day and report back. Also, one guy gave manager a list of websites he'd seen me visited each day (i.e. about 3).

If you take even 2/3 phone calls it MIGHT upset a permie. Shouldnt but you never know.

As I've said above, a client manager does not want a permie moaning in his ear about what a contractor does or doesn't do. Some managers will say sod off perm and stop moaning but not all. It rarely ends well if the permies dont like you.

Well that's not a place I'd likely enjoy working anyway. I mean that sounds like you're working with someone who needs medication.

I used to have guys in my team asking about someone else coming or going at different hours and my answer was that that was a matter between me and their colleague and none of their business, just get back to work and stop worrying about what other people are doing. It's bad enough having to spend 7-8hrs a day in a place without treating the workplace like an actual prison!

[psychocandy]

My people skills are just fine. Hell I work in IT, believe me I know what poor people skills look like.

There seems to be a strange assumption that taking a phone call = skiving and that's not necessarily the case. Obviously doing job hunting at the expense of your contracted employment wouldn't be a good idea, but in twenty+ years in IT it's been a rare day where I was flat out.

I'm not saying "just put your feet up on the desk and chomp a big cigar whilst loudly talking about big deals post-contract" I'm saying get a call answer it. Yeah, you might walk away from the desk, but unless I was in the middle of something I can't see letting it go to voicemail - could be a job that's no longer there by the time you get around to calling back.

IMHO about 95% of calls from agents are a waste of my time.

Of those, 5% I don't think I've ever called one back 30 mins later and been told "oh sorry you would have been ideal but you're too late now". NEVER EVER.

[psychocandy]

My people skills are just fine. Hell I work in IT, believe me I know what poor people skills look like.

There seems to be a strange assumption that taking a phone call = skiving and that's not necessarily the case. Obviously doing job hunting at the expense of your contracted employment wouldn't be a good idea, but in twenty+ years in IT it's been a rare day where I was flat out.

I'm not saying "just put your feet up on the desk and chomp a big cigar whilst loudly talking about big deals post-contract" I'm saying get a call answer it. Yeah, you might walk away from the desk, but unless I was in the middle of something I can't see letting it go to voicemail - could be a job that's no longer there by the time you get around to calling back.

Fair enough but in my experience, permies can get upset about the stupidest things. Some people its any chance to moan about the contractor. I've worked in places where some of them took it upon themselves to write down (to the minute) the time I arrived and left each day and report back. Also, one guy gave manager a list of websites he'd seen me visited each day (i.e. about 3).

If you take even 2/3 phone calls it MIGHT upset a permie. Shouldnt but you never know.

As I've said above, a client manager does not want a permie moaning in his ear about what a contractor does or doesn't do. Some managers will say sod off perm and stop moaning but not all. It rarely ends well if the permies dont like you.

[seanraaron]

Ah, the old "I'm not here to make friends" get out clause to make up for poor people skills, you do know you're the people business if this is your long term career path?

You're correct They're not paying me for sick leave or holidays so whatever they're paying you to work not find your next contract.

I'm with NLUK, I'm out

My people skills are just fine. Hell I work in IT, believe me I know what poor people skills look like.

There seems to be a strange assumption that taking a phone call = skiving and that's not necessarily the case. Obviously doing job hunting at the expense of your contracted employment wouldn't be a good idea, but in twenty+ years in IT it's been a rare day where I was flat out.

I'm not saying "just put your feet up on the desk and chomp a big cigar whilst loudly talking about big deals post-contract" I'm saying get a call answer it. Yeah, you might walk away from the desk, but unless I was in the middle of something I can't see letting it go to voicemail - could be a job that's no longer there by the time you get around to calling back.