Contract ending in Decemeber

[lukemg]

WTAS.
Facing this myself, out first week in Dec and I know it will be a struggle to get anything until feb/march next year, renewal this time is very important.

[wilky27]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I've taken the extension. Elongated christmas break it is

[Scrag Meister]

As others have said, if you have nothing else concrete lined up, TAKE THE EXTENSION.

[BolshieBastard]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie .NET contractor and my first contract is due to end at the beginning of November. I've just been given the opportunity to extend it a further 4 weeks until the beginning of December. A couple of contractors I work with are discouraging me from accepting the extension as they tell me the job market virtually shuts down in December and finding another contract will be extremely difficult. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in finding a new contract around this time and if these claims are accurate?

Thanks in advance,
Wilky.

A bird in the hand and all that. They are offerring another 4 weeks when the alternative is nothing. And, they may offer a further extension at the end of the 4 weeks.

My advice is unless you have a concrete offer on the table, do not turn down an extension unless you want to leave.

I'd be very wary of people telling you to turn it down. Perhaps they see one less contractor on site as less competition and the possibility of longer extension for them?

It's dead in December and January but what else have you got in the pipeline? My experience is that it's taking longer and longer to land new contract work despite getting more and more experienced. Maybe it's the high end of the market I don't know. Probably a combination of that and the current market.

Tell them you want more money as it's a short-term contract (i.e less than 3 months).

Marvellous advice. Not!

I dont know where people get this idea that an extension for 4 weeks is worth more money just because the extension isnt 13, 26 weeks or longer!

[sal626]

Take the extension. Maybe they will extend again after one month?
That happened to me, took a one month extension, and was offered one month extensions for another 5 months.

Also, my current contract I got in 2nd week Dec. Yes, market slows down, but it doesn’t come to a complete standstill.

[slogger]

Surprisingly yes, it is true. There are about 3500 professionals in UK, out of which around half are from Indian companies. The reason I think the future is bright atleast in short term, is because, the code quality is pathetic, and most of my contracts in recent times have been around code evaluation, and redesigning the system. Unless the Indian companies get their act together, they can do the hard work of coding, and I just come in, have a look at the end, do some modifications, and make more money then them.

Well that is the idea so far atleast.

its good to be positive and confident, however if demand is that great go get another contract now for 3-6months...if you cant get that in the next week or so then you'll have a good idea of what to do next..i.e. take the 4 weeks.

[rd409]

Well no, it doesn't really, does it.

Surprisingly yes, it is true. There are about 3500 professionals in UK, out of which around half are from Indian companies. The reason I think the future is bright atleast in short term, is because, the code quality is pathetic, and most of my contracts in recent times have been around code evaluation, and redesigning the system. Unless the Indian companies get their act together, they can do the hard work of coding, and I just come in, have a look at the end, do some modifications, and make more money then them.

Well that is the idea so far atleast.

[malvolio]

TBH I am working in a niche market, with about 3-4 roles per professional, and hopefully it is going to stay like this for next couple of years, so am not too stressed.

HTH.

Well no, it doesn't really, does it.

[rd409]

I've got extended in October and the contract is to run out just before Christmas. Am planning a 15 day holiday somewhere sunny. Will worry about work, after that.

TBH I am working in a niche market, with about 3-4 roles per professional, and hopefully it is going to stay like this for next couple of years, so am not too stressed.

HTH.

[SuPaStA]

I got my current contract in Jan, so you never know. The only certain thing is that you have 4 weeks pay on the table, so take it!

[Wodewick]

Getting a new contract in November isn't a certainty either!

So:
1) Take a months extra dosh (with the possibility of another month, and another....)
or
2) errrr don't!

[craig1]

If I were you, I'd take the extra work as money in the bank and use half of it to have an extended Christmas holiday then start hunting again in the 2nd week of January. Treat it as a bonus

Money in the bank is significantly more valuable than the non-existent promise of money from a contract you haven't even started looking for yet.

[oliverson]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie .NET contractor and my first contract is due to end at the beginning of November. I've just been given the opportunity to extend it a further 4 weeks until the beginning of December. A couple of contractors I work with are discouraging me from accepting the extension as they tell me the job market virtually shuts down in December and finding another contract will be extremely difficult. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in finding a new contract around this time and if these claims are accurate?

Thanks in advance,
Wilky.

It's dead in December and January but what else have you got in the pipeline? My experience is that it's taking longer and longer to land new contract work despite getting more and more experienced. Maybe it's the high end of the market I don't know. Probably a combination of that and the current market.

Tell them you want more money as it's a short-term contract (i.e less than 3 months).

[wilky27]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie .NET contractor and my first contract is due to end at the beginning of November. I've just been given the opportunity to extend it a further 4 weeks until the beginning of December. A couple of contractors I work with are discouraging me from accepting the extension as they tell me the job market virtually shuts down in December and finding another contract will be extremely difficult. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in finding a new contract around this time and if these claims are accurate?

Thanks in advance,
Wilky.