How often do you apply for/interview for new gigs?

[NotAllThere]

Well - a couple of hours once in a while with the potential to secure a decent rate hike is time well spent in my opinion.

Ok, I get you. I never had anything other than a decent rate. Modesty forbids stating the figure.

[TheDude]

I have a tendency to get bored after about 15-18 months.

Well - there is that as well!

[ladymuck]

I see what you're getting at but I've only ever started the next gig process when either I don't see a renewal coming (sometimes I have been wrong) or I don't want a renewal. I have a tendency to get bored after about 15-18 months.

I agree with NLUK in that clients don't get rid of contractors on a whim if they're doing a good job. I would say the only exception to that is when a client is going for almost total offshoring which you can spot a mile off and plan for accordingly.

[northernladuk]

Well - a couple of hours once in a while with the potential to secure a decent rate hike is time well spent in my opinion.

Certainly time better spent than trying to pinch every penny running a business as tax efficiently as possible.

Which means you do have a full on mercenary attitude despite you claiming you've ONLY done it twice. I do believe this will come back and bite you some way down the road so as I've said, the time is best spent doing the work at the rate agreed and you were happy with, getting a good rep so possibly securing more work at a better rate with your client and then moving on to the next one. Read my example of the builder previously. Which is the better run business out of the two?

Only needs one gig you jump ship to to fall out from under you in the first few weeks or before you've even started and comparative profitability of the jumping ship model falls way short. But again, all in my opinion and I've said it before so I'll stop repeating it.

[TheDude]

I'm sure NAT is aware of that so reading between the lines he is saying even that amount of effort isn't worth it.

Well - a couple of hours once in a while with the potential to secure a decent rate hike is time well spent in my opinion.

Certainly time better spent than trying to pinch every penny running a business as tax efficiently as possible.

[northernladuk]

It really isn't much effort now everything is done remotely.

I'm sure NAT is aware of that so reading between the lines he is saying even that amount of effort isn't worth it.

[TheDude]

Far too much effort to apply for/interview for work while I've already got something. I'd start looking maybe two weeks before the current gig ended. Maybe later.

It really isn't much effort now everything is done remotely.

[NotAllThere]

Far too much effort to apply for/interview for work while I've already got something. I'd start looking maybe two weeks before the current gig ended. Maybe later.

[northernladuk]

My attitude has probably been warped by how I have seen permanent staff treated in my industry.

Yeah sounds like it but remember what happens to perms is a world away from you. Apples and pears. Always be vigilant about what you do but basing your actions on what happens to perms is not wise IMO.

[TheDude]

Whenever I need to and that is usually about three weeks before I know a gig is going to end.


I think you are over egging this. I don't think they would do that at all. If that were true they'd be doing it all the time. How many times has this actually happened? I don't think many clients are out for cheaper/younger as long as you are doing the right job for the money they want to pay. I don't actually disagree with most of your approach and attitude in the post it's not my cup of tea but I think you've got this bit all wrong. Yes, the client will let you go if they don't need you, that's the job we do and get paid handsomely for it but you've admitted you've already done the same but to think so little of the client is a mistake. Be wary it could happen but to think they will replace you for cheaper/younger without a second thought I think is wrong.

My attitude has probably been warped by how I have seen permanent staff treated in my industry.

When I say client I mean the firm itself rather than the hiring manager - the vast majority of people I have worked for have treated me very well.

[TheDude]

Are you not worried that by rejecting offers you are annoying potential future clients who may not consider you in the future when you do actually want a gig there?

Not really.

1. Hiring managers in my industry are pretty realistic about how hard it is to fill positions.
2. I may have pissed off a few agents but if they see the opportunity to make a few grand out of me in the future then I am sure they could overlook a rejected offer in the past.
3. Most of the firms I interview for are huge and the hiring process for contingent staff via agencies is very ad-hoc - I doubt they maintain any sort of blacklist.

[northernladuk]

Whenever I need to and that is usually about three weeks before I know a gig is going to end.

I have also been around long enough to know my clients would replace me with a cheaper/younger resource if they could without a second thought to the wellbeing of myself or the viability of project lifestyle.

I think you are over egging this. I don't think they would do that at all. If that were true they'd be doing it all the time. How many times has this actually happened? I don't think many clients are out for cheaper/younger as long as you are doing the right job for the money they want to pay. I don't actually disagree with most of your approach and attitude in the post it's not my cup of tea but I think you've got this bit all wrong. Yes, the client will let you go if they don't need you, that's the job we do and get paid handsomely for it but you've admitted you've already done the same but to think so little of the client is a mistake. Be wary it could happen but to think they will replace you for cheaper/younger without a second thought I think is wrong.

As such I reckon I apply for/interview for about one role a month. I invariably pull out of the process/reject an offer if it looks like the grass in not going to be any greener

I see this as being pragmatic rather than unprofessional and to date I have only resigned from two contracts.

As I say I don't fully disagree with what you are saying I don't follow the same principle. I think your initial thinking of the client is wrong so I don't believe you need to be doing the interviewing once a month. You are wasting a lot of everyones time for little to no reason IMO but only you will know the real situation.

It is kind of pragmatic but I don't generally think that level of applying/interviewing is needed. You say you've ONLY resigned from two jobs but just by your admittance you interview so often you clearly have the attitude that you'd resign without a thought if the situation presented. For me this is too mercenary, I'd rather focus on doing a good job at the client, seeing it through and THEN looking for new roles.

Many of us have had very long and fruitful careers and not needed this level of mercenary attitude to do it. As I say, many people will agree with you but it's just not really needed IMO. If you found a good builder to build you an extension, would you pick the one that is going to do a good job and focus on completing it regardless or one that you know full well is touting for better business all the time they are working on yours? You say you are doing the right thing but guess which one of those two you are and which one people want working for them.

[JoJoGabor]

Are you not worried that by rejecting offers you are annoying potential future clients who may not consider you in the future when you do actually want a gig there?

[TheDude]

I like to think of my contracting career as 'project lifestyle' and as such any gigs I take on are simply a means to maximise the profitability of project lifestyle.

I have also been around long enough to know my clients would replace me with a cheaper/younger resource if they could without a second thought to the wellbeing of myself or the viability of project lifestyle.

As such I reckon I apply for/interview for about one role a month. I invariably pull out of the process/reject an offer if it looks like the grass in not going to be any greener.

I see this as being pragmatic rather than unprofessional and to date I have only resigned from two contracts.

In my opinion interviewing - especially if you are going to be asked to write code is one of the most important skills for a contractor to have. During my career I have interviewed many many people who haven't interviewed for several years and they are generally the weakest candidates.