Reply to: How long to stay on my first contract?

[TheFaQQer]

2 years is an age. have you finished the job you were originally contracted to do? get out there and grow in experience - that's what your new clients will be wanting to pay for.

I agree two years is an age - but only if you are new to contracting. This client has paid me to implement their system, and now I'm being paid to take it out again, which will take me to three years (I hope) - but my CV has other relevant experience so the length of this contract shouldn't impact on getting new work.

I'll find out next year, I guess.

[TheFaQQer]

I am almost 2 years in and this is my first contract.

Well last time I interviewed, they liked I am not jumping ship every 6 months.

Some contractors are required to do more than cleaning someone else's toilets mate

And generally, they are the ones that can make their own decisions, run their own business, and understand the wider implications of their decisions on both their current and future business operations.

If your CV screams permie, then unless you have something which makes you stand out from the crowd of CVs that an agent will have, you are already facing an uphill climb.

[nicholas22]

Ultimately the WP drive whether it is inside or outside, and if they are outside based on one or more of the three pillars, the length of the engagement is irrelevant. I guess it may make it easier for HMRC to investigate you, given that there would be fewer contracts with fewer clients to wade through, but AFAIK they still need to pay some heed to cost-efficiency, so high turnover, high dividend:salary ratio (both of which mean higher yield) and being on a bad footing with HMRC, e.g. due to late returns, are all probably bigger risk factors, coupled with whatever crusades they are on at any point in time, e.g. public sector. You can also mitigate risk through IR35 insurance and contract reviews, e.g. through Qdos. All this is assuming it doesn't become some relic whilst they move onto a new means of targeting contractors, e.g. through the incoming agency reporting requirements.

The 24 month rule re: expenses is the only thing that is impacted by the length of the engagement.

Any need for this?

Also take the pessimism with a pinch of salt. He does that. Negative personality trait IMHO.

Well last time I interviewed, they liked I am not jumping ship every 6 months. Some contractors are required to do more than cleaning someone else's toilets mate

edit: sorry replied to the wrong post... this was meant to go to the bloke who said 2 years are too long.

[nicholas22]

Depends. If the coffee is good, and free then that's a keeper.

Boobylicious girl on reception with cheeky smile would also be an indicator of renewal acceptance.

What about workload? Can you goof off for 3 hour pub lunches at opening time with no one noticing? Again strong indicator.

So many variables in a tricky equation see. Need more background before I can fully give my expert opinion.

Loving this answer!!
But seriously...

[nicholas22]

WGAF

Grow some and decide your own destiny

HTH

Woohoo yeah man, right on!

For the rest of us, who want to make evidence based decisions, this is not a great answer... Sorry.

[darmstadt]

Boobylicious girl on reception with cheeky smile would also be an indicator of renewal acceptance.

I see what you did there: Court rules that groping a woman's breasts is not a sackable offence in Germany | Daily Mail Online

[DS23]

2 years is an age. have you finished the job you were originally contracted to do? get out there and grow in experience - that's what your new clients will be wanting to pay for.

[suityou01]

How is your job hunt going.. Have the Germans taken pity on you yet and thrown you a few more weeks?

I sit here in rags, begging for more. Choking German pole. Living the dream.

[eek]

Also take the pessimism with a pinch of salt. He does that. Negative personality trait IMHO.

How is your job hunt going.. Have the Germans taken pity on you yet and thrown you a few more weeks?

[suityou01]

If you previous jobs where permanent and you've spent 2 years at your first contract your CV screams Permie and you will be back at square 1 trying to get a contract....

So either start contract hunting, give in and go back permie or sit there until they kick you out but I think you will find getting another contract is going to be hard work....

Also take the pessimism with a pinch of salt. He does that. Negative personality trait IMHO.

[eek]

If you previous jobs where permanent and you've spent 2 years at your first contract your CV screams Permie and you will be back at square 1 trying to get a contract....

So either start contract hunting, give in and go back permie or sit there until they kick you out but I think you will find getting another contract is going to be hard work....

[TheFaQQer]

Any need for this?

Seems pretty normal for General - I know you keep your life blog in the professional forums that give you some degree of protection from these kinds of response, but if you post in General that's what to expect.

[suityou01]

Any need for this?

See user name.

HTH

[psychocandy]

WGAF

Grow some and decide your own destiny

HTH

Any need for this?

[suityou01]

Sounds like a Benefit In Kind.

With double entry it can be easily offset.