When do you walk away?

[coe123]

If you are 4 years from retirement, wouldn't it be worth visualising what kind of gig would be to good to end your career on? If there is a barrier to entry in that area, use the time in your current role to get skilled up.

As you know we have only a small degree of control over what role we get next. I spent about 7 years on buy side integration projects - MQ/TIBCO and the likes and everything changed after 2008 when I was forced to leave the field. Since then I tried to get back into that area but either there was/has been oversupply in that area or it is down to sheer luck of finding long term work elsewhere, it has been hard to convince agents, I enjoyed working there and would prefer to work there - but how do you even get back into it if there is no recent experience.

[lecyclist]

If you are 4 years from retirement, wouldn't it be worth visualising what kind of gig would be to good to end your career on? If there is a barrier to entry in that area, use the time in your current role to get skilled up.

[coe123]

Thank you everyone. So clearly two different approaches from people - bill as long as you can vs keep moving/learning.

I do feel that I have already billed for too long and I do get a point about being institutionalised - I am part of the furniture - network more like these days

I sat down and got the resume refreshed, and while I am not going to jump at the next chance - I will if the role and money is right - if nothing comes around then I'll just stick around and keep billing.

[NowPermOutsideUK]

It is brave and courageous to have the attitude of I need to move each year or I need to be excited to go to work each day

I’ve always been at companies as long as I could and each time I moved it was because the project finished or the money finished. I was always ok to do not much and get paid but maybe that’s just me!

[ladymuck]

I tend to get itchy feet after a year, definitely after 15 months. I'm currently 18 months in on my current gig, extension on its way for another three months and the PM has forecast me into their plans for Q1 next year.

Like you, the work isn't challenging, the team is good (90% contractors), the rate is good.

BUT! I do have to look the gift horse in the mouth as I know I'm stagnating. There are days where I just about drag myself out of bed in time for the first meeting.

I have always said that if the prospect of the job makes you want to take a duvet day, every day, then it's time to move on.

I will see the year out, and have told the PM that I may not stick around for all of Q1 as I'll be looking for the next gig then.

[JJUXI]

I've been in this exact spot before - never-ending renewals, high rate, few years to (also early!) retirement.

First you are de-skilled then institutionalised, ticking off the years. This is not what we went contracting for!

I stayed too long and regretted it - wasted years really. Early retirement is a moving target.

[virtualm]

You've been there 3 years so your clearly doing something right. If you plan to retire soon then stick it out. If you don't then maybe time to move on and refresh your skills on another gig.

I've had one gig that lasted 3 year in Asia, I never felt it went against me. In fact it's made me what I am today. It's a great talking point.

[coe123]

As a PM/Programme Mgr, your main skills are likely to be communication, managing expectations and some scrum master activities. Having a high level understanding of Cloud, DevOps helps. All of these are common in all projects, so no need to worry about 'How will it look in CV?'

If I were you, I would keep billing while trying to find ways to 'help' other project if my ego permits.

Yes, that is correct, fairly generic skillset (which has been a good and a bad thing in the past - as it gets me lots of interest but few interviews), I am a fairly techie PM though - a C++ developer of the past who was pushed into management. The current program is not offering anything in those new buzzword areas. I did volunteer to help out with other projects which do use DevOps/Agile & Cloud based solution but so far nobody has shown much interest - this place has developed an allergy to contractors in the last couple of years.

Reg. your other point, I do have great track record in this team, less worried that they might do something abruptly and there is a budget (which I control). But I do get your point, given a choice we would all prefer no or planned break between gigs rather than be at mercy of keyword middlemen.

[coe123]

Yep IMO you are done. You are coasting which means you are losing skills and being inside, losing money as well.

The rate might be above average but you are inside aren't you? So you'll be 35%+ down on an outside gig?

You've had it cushy with the 100% remote but it was in response to a pandemic. Many roles will return to the office to some extent so it's something that's going to be more the norm. If you don't want to do that then most definitely stay at your gig. It WILL be required for some roles so can't avoid that.

So... as all these what do I do posts... it's all down to your own personal circumstances that only you can decide. We can give you our opinion on what we would do but can't see how that's much use to you as we don't know the exact details.

That said... from what I see.... Your contract is done, you aren't doing anything proactive and the skills will be slipping. I'd be out of there in a shot because I CBA with the dross after a gig. I want a new one to get my teeth in to. It's what I contract for, not to sit at a desk and while the hours away. BUT you want 100% remote, you only have four years to go and sounds like you are financially stable. I think that would tell you to stay. Your next gig could be a right bitch, end early, worse pay and have a commute. Each of these on it's own would be reason enough to stay but all four together makes a slam dunk choice.

I think you stay where you are until you are pushed and then deal with the crap you don't want to deal with when you've no choice.

It does feel like my job here is done and without the pandemic - I'd be asking this question 1.5 yrs ago. It is not a total waste of time tbh, there was work to be done (including doing lot of strategy/approach stuff at senior level) here which I didn't had to do in the past.

Going to office would be a change but I am sure it is just a minor inconvenience and getting used to it again.

I have received two emails last week (relevant & direct rather than generic ones) so I suppose it is all pointing to a better market, plus there is no harm in getting the resume ready and doing few interviews.

[BigDataPro]

As a PM/Programme Mgr, your main skills are likely to be communication, managing expectations and some scrum master activities. Having a high level understanding of Cloud, DevOps helps. All of these are common in all projects, so no need to worry about 'How will it look in CV?'

If I were you, I would keep billing while trying to find ways to 'help' other project if my ego permits.

[rocktronAMP]

Sounds like a no brainer to me. Keep invoicing and do your own thing. I assume if you're brolly that you're not at risk of IR35 investigation (as you're inside), so use the time for training etc.

Ask yourself the question, and answer it honestly: how well do you know the executive team?

I think the axe can fall at any minute. I believe It will fall on you sooner rather than later.

As some other contractors, on this forum, here, have said, they managed to secure a second sideline contract that runs concurrently with therefore two incomes. I would do the same if your current gig is becoming the sideline, or perhaps, it already has.

Get a new contract that is remote and treat that as the main one. I would then negotiate this current contract to a Purchase Order ad-hoc one, which works similar to service maintaince of gas boilers with a call out fee.

Protect yourself. Now!

[coe123]

Sounds like a no brainer to me. Keep invoicing and do your own thing. I assume if you're brolly that you're not at risk of IR35 investigation (as you're inside), so use the time for training etc.

Yes, no IR35 concerns and while the next job could be outside with the tax changes I am not sure how much difference there would be.

Good point about the training, did some Cloud certification last year but the work has a habit of breaking a good stride.

Key concern with staying on is the consideration for the next role, little of substance achieved over 2 (and 3 by the time I do need to look) years.

[northernladuk]

I was hired to deliver a brand new system in 2018 (PM/Program Mgr), which was completed in late 2019 - most of the team was then let go but I was given an option to stick around to do archive/decommissioning lots of older systems we replaced because I had a hand in setting them up back in the day. I didn't think too much at that time and stayed on (moved to Umbrella at that point) & then with Covid I did not even think about looking for a new role. Now the work has dragged on and while I have had stuff to work on, bigger pieces that I was really keen on are not ready to be switched off yet (good & bad news as it means the work is likely to go on until the end of 2022 but on some days it is just crickets plus it is doing nothing for my resume). There is lot of good stuff going on in the bigger team but there is little chance of me getting involved into it because I am now the only contractor left and retained because of ring fenced funding for this work. This specific part of the business/product has no future and really being wrapped up (hence the decommissioning) - even the wider area of work is just operational and not the most sexiest part of the business.

Yep IMO you are done. You are coasting which means you are losing skills and being inside, losing money as well.

On the plus side, the team is great and I am left to my own devices, it is 100% WFH with no talk of going back into office. Rate is above market average but I could get 10% more if I hold out. Early retirement (in 40s) is no more than 4 years away as long as I stay in a contract - portfolio has done wonders in the last 1 year.

The rate might be above average but you are inside aren't you? So you'll be 35%+ down on an outside gig?

A friend of mine recently switched and was asked to come to office at least twice a day, which means taking tube to work, something I wouldn't really look forward to.

You've had it cushy with the 100% remote but it was in response to a pandemic. Many roles will return to the office to some extent so it's something that's going to be more the norm. If you don't want to do that then most definitely stay at your gig. It WILL be required for some roles so can't avoid that.

So... as all these what do I do posts... it's all down to your own personal circumstances that only you can decide. We can give you our opinion on what we would do but can't see how that's much use to you as we don't know the exact details.

That said... from what I see.... Your contract is done, you aren't doing anything proactive and the skills will be slipping. I'd be out of there in a shot because I CBA with the dross after a gig. I want a new one to get my teeth in to. It's what I contract for, not to sit at a desk and while the hours away. BUT you want 100% remote, you only have four years to go and sounds like you are financially stable. I think that would tell you to stay. Your next gig could be a right bitch, end early, worse pay and have a commute. Each of these on it's own would be reason enough to stay but all four together makes a slam dunk choice.

I think you stay where you are until you are pushed and then deal with the crap you don't want to deal with when you've no choice.

[b0redom]

Sounds like a no brainer to me. Keep invoicing and do your own thing. I assume if you're brolly that you're not at risk of IR35 investigation (as you're inside), so use the time for training etc.

[coe123]

Need some collective inputs in deciding whether or not I should look for a new contract.

I was hired to deliver a brand new system in 2018 (PM/Program Mgr), which was completed in late 2019 - most of the team was then let go but I was given an option to stick around to do archive/decommissioning lots of older systems we replaced because I had a hand in setting them up back in the day. I didn't think too much at that time and stayed on (moved to Umbrella at that point) & then with Covid I did not even think about looking for a new role. Now the work has dragged on and while I have had stuff to work on, bigger pieces that I was really keen on are not ready to be switched off yet (good & bad news as it means the work is likely to go on until the end of 2022 but on some days it is just crickets plus it is doing nothing for my resume). There is lot of good stuff going on in the bigger team but there is little chance of me getting involved into it because I am now the only contractor left and retained because of ring fenced funding for this work. This specific part of the business/product has no future and really being wrapped up (hence the decommissioning) - even the wider area of work is just operational and not the most sexiest part of the business.

On the plus side, the team is great and I am left to my own devices, it is 100% WFH with no talk of going back into office. Rate is above market average but I could get 10% more if I hold out. Early retirement (in 40s) is no more than 4 years away as long as I stay in a contract - portfolio has done wonders in the last 1 year.

A friend of mine recently switched and was asked to come to office at least twice a day, which means taking tube to work, something I wouldn't really look forward to.

What would you do? - Ignore how it would look on the resume and stay until pushed (given how easy the life is) or keep looking and take a chance if something better (subjective and unknown) comes up?