Reply to: When do you start looking for other contracts?

[norrahe]

WHS - Never stop looking.

Who's to say your client shall honour the end date if things get tough? Don't let yourself be caught out.

Exactly, it is good to keep an eye on the market just in case!

I normally get my CV uploaded on all the job boards when I have 4 weeks to go then start seriously looking with 3 to go most agencies are not interested any time before that I have found.

Northwestperm what do you say to agencies when you carry on looking when in a contract as whenever I have tried looking the first question they ask is whats your current working position as soon as i say in contract and tell them my end date they lose interest, do you lie and say your current contract is coming to an end very soon even if it is not?

Always say soon rather than give them a specific time frame. And that you can always be flexible on notice period.

[curtis]

I normally get my CV uploaded on all the job boards when I have 4 weeks to go then start seriously looking with 3 to go most agencies are not interested any time before that I have found.

Northwestperm what do you say to agencies when you carry on looking when in a contract as whenever I have tried looking the first question they ask is whats your current working position as soon as i say in contract and tell them my end date they lose interest, do you lie and say your current contract is coming to an end very soon even if it is not?

[scooterscot]

I'm always looking, just in case! You never know, your notice is usually instant remember....

WHS - Never stop looking.

Who's to say your client shall honour the end date if things get tough? Don't let yourself be caught out.

[stek]

They usually look for me

Not another sasguru sockie!

[StellaFan]

They usually look for me

[northernladuk]

Usually about a month before the end. If my last role here is anything to go by that should be around March 2014.

That sounds like a kiss of death to me.

[Scrag Meister]

Usually about a month before the end. If my last role here is anything to go by that should be around March 2014.

[norrahe]

About a month before the end, which reminds me............................

[JamJarST]

I am not turning away agents when they phone me with contracts, but then my current contract is a rolling monthly one and could end at any time.

[stek]

I think it depends on the market/location, I'm currently looking to relocate to CH, on contract first them maybe perm, who knows. At the time I got this contract, and 3 months plus one, a Swiss one came up, seemed very keen. I kept it going in case current one fell through, but it didn't and I signed up to start this monday.

Swiss Co. came through last week and wanted to interview me, flurry of emails and nothing since. I think even the contract market CH moves slowly...

So, hopefully by keeping it alive come the end of this contract I might start the CH one!

[northernladuk]

I usually update my CV 3 weeks before end of contract then start applying until I get an offer.

WHS. More than 3 weeks tends to be a waste of time as the most roles are wanting instant start and can't wait. Might get lucky around 3 weeks so seems about right.

I have an unhealthy addiction to applying to roles even midway during contract. I think this is because I like to know how in demand my skills are and how much money I could get out of a future contract. It has often left me in a predicament where even though I am happy with a contract I start considering others due to good offers coming through. The good thing about this addiction is I make sure I am always up to date with skills so I can easily move into another contract.

I don't think this is a good option unless you have thick skin. For one you cannot run a contracting career jumping ship. You might get away with it a few times but you will slip up and start to lose roles in the future because you are not reliable.
Secondly you are going to be gutted watching other roles with better rates/location passing by so you are going to get pissed off with the role you have (assuming you are willing to see a contract through) so end up not enjoying what is a perfectly good contract. Also, again, this can quite easily come back and bite you with your hiring manager finding out your looking and you hit the top of the pile for first one out should cuts come around.

All these are managable I am sure and may only be a problem in small cases and yes you have to look after number 1 yadda yadda but caution is most definately advised.

[minestrone]

About 5 months after the last contract finished.

[SimonMac]

I have an unhealthy addiction to applying to roles even midway during contract. I think this is because I like to know how in demand my skills are and how much money I could get out of a future contract. It has often left me in a predicament where even though I am happy with a contract I start considering others due to good offers coming through. The good thing about this addiction is I make sure I am always up to date with skills so I can easily move into another contract.

So you would be happy to jump mid contract?

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

How long before a contract ends do you start the tedious process of getting other people to realise just how awesome you are.

I have an unhealthy addiction to applying to roles even midway during contract. I think this is because I like to know how in demand my skills are and how much money I could get out of a future contract. It has often left me in a predicament where even though I am happy with a contract I start considering others due to good offers coming through. The good thing about this addiction is I make sure I am always up to date with skills so I can easily move into another contract.

[stek]

I'm always looking, just in case! You never know, your notice is usually instant remember....