Reply to: To refuse or not refuse an extension offer

[NobotTheRobot]

My current position is: Do NOT accept an extension unless something changes in the conditions. If I move to different projects and the contract becomes more fulfilling then it would be the best of both worlds. But if that's not possible I'm not planning to risk my future for short term benefits. If I don't keep up with the latest technology I'll be out of the game so that's not a risk I'm willing to take. If not having an extension is a negative factor so be it. I don't think I'll starve to death just because of that.

[SicsyBoy]

I agree with others - it shouldnt matter but I'd say clients/agencies do think like this. i.e. extensions are good. I've been in contracts where it was never ever going to be extended because that was clear from the start - so its a little unfair.

Seems so far that the majority of this Forum (which I hope is well populated with reliably informed risk-takers) agree that 'sucking it up and serving your time so you look good to bonehead recruiters/clients' is the best option.

Makes me a little scared for my future if that's the case (I'm a Fullstack dev with good grasp of DevOps concepts/practices based in London if that helps for context).

Whilst I can proudly say I've always received an offer of an extension, that may not be clear on my CV. Out of the 4 contracts I've had in just over 2 years running my Limited Company my longest engagement with a client has still been shy of 1 year. I do genuinely start to worry that I may look a bit 'flighty' at best, though I've not been out of contract for more than 6 weeks thus far and I've generally moved from one to the next.

I'm also hoping this series of short engagements makes me reasonably Hector-proof from an IR35 point of view, though understand it's blinkered and naive to make an IR35 assessment based solely on this one factor (think I'm pretty good at IR35 and tax compliance due diligence anyway, and I'm one of the 'paranoid ones' that has taken up QDos TLC35 product from day one)

My take on it is this; I'll stay with a client whilst I can add value but I also need to ensure I'm developing my business (read-keeping myself marketable in the ever-evolving world of software delivery). The way I see it, as a Director I'm obliged to exercise my skill and judgement for the benefit of the Company. (Pretty sure thats the law).

There may be hairy moments, and I've very recently landed on the bench with a bump but I'm hoping(!) all will work out for the best relatively soon. Seems to be enough out there in London to match my skillset, and I'd be doing my Company a disservice if I didn't try to negotiate the best rate possible at the moment.

I've not read any further than this - you're unsatisfied, so leave.

Life is to short to deal with projects like this.

Must say, I agree 100% with the sentiment here, but I guess it depends on what you want from the contracting lifestyle. I chose to dive in with both feet, taking calculated risks and seem to be reaping the rewards thus far BUT I had a raft of good experience in my field and a decent war-chest build up (which, thankfully, is still growing) before taking the plunge. I also don't have any dependants (well, none of the two-legged variety anyhow!).

Can totally understand different people have different situations, but my take on the matter is if you willing to stick around being unhappy just to satisfy other people you'd may as well go perm right?

[TheFaQQer]

The problem is I'm entirely unsatisfied with the project.

I've not read any further than this - you're unsatisfied, so leave.

Life is to short to deal with projects like this.

[1manshow]

Believe me people check, references are sought and if they find out you have lied which is what a fe posters here shockingly seem to encourage you can be fired on the spot

Do not lie on your CV - I am surprised you were not taught that at school

Yes references are sought - but if you think a company will give up info on tech, the project, specific work employee did or otherwise to the new employer / you worked for some dodgy companies.

Eg if I did full onC# development, then went to another company and was really just doing support C# dev (basic), no way would I put on my CV I’ve just done basic C# if in previous roles I’ve done end to end c# dev from scratch. And no, no one will ever find out no matter what rubbish you may wish to spew.

I don’t want to talk about what’s ethical, just know when you apply you are competing with people who did this majority of the time (with no repercussions).

It’s only dumb to state you know how to do something which you can’t as when you at the interview or when you start the job, it will become apparent.

[LondonPM1]

If it helps, your next gig will only know what you tell them.

They don’t need to know you spent days without writing code.

Learn new tech or keep up with practice with them - and just put on your CV you did what you wish you were doing.

It’s lying of course, but if you know your tulip and have been practicing it anyway, the next client will probably not care if you get the work done well.

You can just say you were doing what you did in a previous gig, so it doesn’t look like your role devolved. No one is going to actually check what work or tech you used - as long as your competent at them you’ll have no issues

Believe me people check, references are sought and if they find out you have lied which is what a fe posters here shockingly seem to encourage you can be fired on the spot

Do not lie on your CV - I am surprised you were not taught that at school

[1manshow]

If it helps, your next gig will only know what you tell them.

They don’t need to know you spent days without writing code.

Learn new tech or keep up with practice with them - and just put on your CV you did what you wish you were doing.

It’s lying of course, but if you know your tulip and have been practicing it anyway, the next client will probably not care if you get the work done well.

You can just say you were doing what you did in a previous gig, so it doesn’t look like your role devolved. No one is going to actually check what work or tech you used - as long as your competent at them you’ll have no issues

[NobotTheRobot]

Do you have loads of cash available to keep paying yourself?

I would just keep billing unless I was on a mountain of cash or could easily pick up a better rate.

At the end of the day time on bench is what destroys your annual earnings.

Spend 6 months with permies thinking you're a rich git. Spend 6 months on bench and end up just making the same amount of money as the permies after all.

I wouldn't worry too much about explaining you're on legacy work. They're not exactly going to find out otherwise if you say you were on some greenfield projects.

Yeah, there's always that risk. But I was thinking since this is a contract it's bound to end anyway. Say I got a 6 month extension. I'd face the risk of being benched after that too.

It's a tough decision. Anyway, I have some more time to think about it. So will keep weighing pros and cons.

[NobotTheRobot]

I completed the work I was contracted to do.

Not hard really.

Different contracts, different circumstances. I'm talking about extensions anyway.

[Smackdown]

Do you have loads of cash available to keep paying yourself?

I would just keep billing unless I was on a mountain of cash or could easily pick up a better rate.

At the end of the day time on bench is what destroys your annual earnings.

Spend 6 months with permies thinking you're a rich git. Spend 6 months on bench and end up just making the same amount of money as the permies after all.

I wouldn't worry too much about explaining you're on legacy work. They're not exactly going to find out otherwise if you say you were on some greenfield projects.

[northernladuk]

I completed the work I was contracted to do.

Not hard really.

[NobotTheRobot]

I presume you started the contract thinking it was going to offer something different than it transpired so either they misled you, gave you something else in the interim (best chance of getting moved to something else if they have other requirements to fulfil at some point), or you slipped up (at interview stage where you find out what the role entails) and now have to bail after realising your mistake.

The nature of the interviews were completely different than what I'm working on now. Basically starting this year they decided to divide the teams into two to specialise in certain areas and the project I got is not something I have much experience on and it's mostly a support project. So you're right this is exactly not what I was expecting.

In hindsight, my mistake was I didn't ask detailed questions in the interview as my previous 2 contracts were greenfield projects. It didn't even occur to me I'd spend a whole day without writing any code or tests!

I hate being put in this position because it's hard to sell what I'm working on now but if I quit early it's even harder to sell. My only consolation is up until this one all my contracts were extended. So just thinking if can I get away with this one...

A little bit off topic but just wondering what do you guys tell the recruiters when they ask why it wasn't renewed?

If I say my actual reasons (old tech and mostly support), does it come off as nitpicking?

Thank you all for your responses by the way, it was very helpful and valuable for me.

[quackhandle]

I have six weeks left with current client co, was told at start it was three-month but I am looking now.

Aside from Death and Taxes there are no guarantees with anything in this life. So bored of the bench right now, invoicing is the way forward.


qh

[psychocandy]

Hmm. Difficult one but I'd say think long and hard about it.

Theres always a tendency to think, hmm I'll stay where I am, its not that bad, and how long will it take me to get my next gig etc. what if the next one is worse etc.

For me, having 3 months on the bench once got me thinking like this. Accepted a 2nd extension on a gig which really was crap. It was local so of course, Im thinking hmm will next one be further away, and I also had a holiday planned and didnt want to be thinking of going back to no contract.

Week after starting new gig I realised it was a mistake. So think about it...

[quackhandle]

IMO extensions aren't a factor on your CV. You come. In to do a piece of work and it ends when it ends. Sometimes it's 3 months sometimes it's 2 years. Any decent client will understand that.

Seems a bit personal.

Take the extension if you have nothing lined up. It can be a long time on the bench.

qh

[psychocandy]

I agree with others - it shouldnt matter but I'd say clients/agencies do think like this. i.e. extensions are good. I've been in contracts where it was never ever going to be extended because that was clear from the start - so its a little unfair.