Reply to: Contract Renewal Time

[mattfx]

Thanks for all the advice. I've elected to calm the F down - submit my CV if I get a phone call for something interesting, but not actively look. My main focus is to renew and get the 6 months done and under my belt, then look around for a different gig in the New Year.

NLUK I don't see why this is an IR35 nightmare; all of my work is project based and the engagement is of a consultative nature. I took your advice when I very first posted months ago and have done my best to ensure the working practices are correct. I.E. I find an issue or consult with management on what the business wants IT to achieve next, plan on how to make it happen and then implement it. Currently working on a project to split one arm of the business off into a new AD forest - all good fun.

[l35kee]

<cough>

Haha, like I said.. I'm still new ;D

The people that I did interview who had 3 monthers then switching constantly showed the same traits. Textbook CV and response to questions, but absolutely no substance.

Role type probably makes a difference too, developers/testers I can see may have more shorter term contracts, my role less so..

[northernladuk]

Ditto, it's the cv full of continual 3 month contracts that I absolutely stayed away from. Yeah the occasional 3 monther is fine, but over and over...?

Either they were crap or jumped at first chance. Neither of which I wanted.

<cough>

But I'm only in my first contract too, so what do I know!!

[northernladuk]

I'm the only contractor here in an office that frankly, isn't all that busy - the IT manager here has no other hiring requirements at the moment either.

If something comes along (actually had a call just now to book a telephone interview early next week) before the contract is landed and its a better opportunity - go for that!? Or is it better to have that first gig extended on my CV?

Part and parcel much? Sounds like an IR35 nightmare that.

[l35kee]

Only on my first contract myself but have employed many - would always have a preference for those who demonstrated some longevity. (Before everyone shoots me down - I was looking for 6-12M tech and PM folks).

Ditto, it's the cv full of continual 3 month contracts that I absolutely stayed away from. Yeah the occasional 3 monther is fine, but over and over...?

Either they were crap or jumped at first chance. Neither of which I wanted.

[fatJock]

God .....good job you're not at my place, renewals can come through a day or so (or even on the day of) contract expiry. You might want to cut out a bit of stress and not worry so much .....they've said they're sorting it, depends if you trust them or not.

By all means look at what else is available but, you say this is your first contract, might be best to have something more substantial on your CV instead of looking to leap.

Only on my first contract myself but have employed many - would always have a preference for those who demonstrated some longevity. (Before everyone shoots me down - I was looking for 6-12M tech and PM folks).

[SeanT]

Changing is often the easiest way to get a rate increase. However there are risks to changing (grass not always greener, client could be an arsehole, new gig could fall through any time up until the first day, or get canned after the first week). Know your market (and have other gigs lined up ready to go).

[l35kee]

Thanks both.

War chest is not plentiful but will see me through a small amount of bench time. Day rate here is nowhere near what I know I am worth but, I took this as an opportunity to get on the contracting ladder - I had very valid reasons at the time to do with notice periods at my prior permie gig going from one to three months - notice had been an issue with other opportunities.

There's definitely work here - it's not as busy as I would like but they simply don't have the skills / people with the drive in house to push projects over the line.

I think this is why I am a little bit hesitant about renewal - I know there are better gigs but I also respect that I've not been at this for long and that my warchest isn't where it needs to be in order to properly play hardball. Equally I know I could get to gig number two and then have them let me go just before Christmas if it doesn't pan out for whatever reason. Pros and cons I guess...

Will take the general advice here and casually look, make sure my CV's are all up to date etc. but not actively apply and see what happens.

Look for other opportunities then, at the rate you think you should be getting (i.e. significantly higher than you have now), and then when renewal comes up tell them you have another offer at your preferred rate. You'd like to stay but saw this as the initial x/3 month contract and so were happy at the time to take the rate cut. If they are happy to match the rate you'd prefer to stay, etc...

If you don't find a new contract at preferred rate, I'd be tempted to just take the (3 month?) extension without asking for a rise.

But I'm only in my first contract too, so what do I know!!

[Ittechy]

I would definately be considering other opportunites.

It may be that your client as well as the agency are actually drafting something up as we type, however you dont want to chance being out of contract especially with the run up to Christmas.

[SeanT]

Well, that's come around quickly; my first contract is almost done and I've been asked by the end client to renew. Discussed with the agency, tried (and failed) to negotiate a little rate increase, but that wasn't unexpected due to a lack of leverage.

However; my end date is November 3rd and there's no paperwork on my desk (or in my inbox..) to sign yet. I've been speaking with other agents about a handful of roles and made a couple of submissions - no interview requests yet but submissions were last week. I'm thinking that maybe I should be actively looking and submitting for roles until I have a renewal signed and agreed - am I right in thinking that?

Thanks in advance.

Editing your LinkedIn strapline to include your end date in block caps and allowing it to post the update to your network seems like a popular way to speed the renewal along and / or get contacted about gigs pretty sharpish.

[fullyautomatix]

I'm the only contractor here in an office that frankly, isn't all that busy - the IT manager here has no other hiring requirements at the moment either.

If something comes along (actually had a call just now to book a telephone interview early next week) before the contract is landed and its a better opportunity - go for that!? Or is it better to have that first gig extended on my CV?

How confident are you that they will renew? If totally confident, you have to be prepared to turn down the renewal if you get offered a new gig. I had to do it once and it was not pleasant.

[fullyautomatix]

Definetly.

Defiantly

Ftfy

[mattfx]

Thanks both.

War chest is not plentiful but will see me through a small amount of bench time. Day rate here is nowhere near what I know I am worth but, I took this as an opportunity to get on the contracting ladder - I had very valid reasons at the time to do with notice periods at my prior permie gig going from one to three months - notice had been an issue with other opportunities.

There's definitely work here - it's not as busy as I would like but they simply don't have the skills / people with the drive in house to push projects over the line.

I think this is why I am a little bit hesitant about renewal - I know there are better gigs but I also respect that I've not been at this for long and that my warchest isn't where it needs to be in order to properly play hardball. Equally I know I could get to gig number two and then have them let me go just before Christmas if it doesn't pan out for whatever reason. Pros and cons I guess...

Will take the general advice here and casually look, make sure my CV's are all up to date etc. but not actively apply and see what happens.

[Lance]

I'm the only contractor here in an office that frankly, isn't all that busy - the IT manager here has no other hiring requirements at the moment either.

If something comes along (actually had a call just now to book a telephone interview early next week) before the contract is landed and its a better opportunity - go for that!? Or is it better to have that first gig extended on my CV?

How big is your war chest?
How confident are you that any potential other contract will allow you to build the war chest you desire?
Personally I'd stick around if I'm adding value (MoO and SDC issues notwithstanding). But I'd also keep looking until I have an extension signed.

[l35kee]

I'm the only contractor here in an office that frankly, isn't all that busy - the IT manager here has no other hiring requirements at the moment either.

If something comes along (actually had a call just now to book a telephone interview early next week) before the contract is landed and its a better opportunity - go for that!? Or is it better to have that first gig extended on my CV?

As mentioned lots on here, stay with them if it's going well. It's not uncommon for contract renewals to go down to the last day (or later). Sometimes the manager has to jump through a lot of tulip to get a purchase order through finance (I know first hand).

If they have said they want to renew, and there is work, and it seems more likely they will actually renew than not, I'd say keep an eye out for opportunities but plan A should be to renew.