Poll: Long or Short contracts?

[Sockpuppet]

I like 3 month contracts.

Allows me to walk at the end should it be terrible. Also I prefer contracts that are fast paced with not much sitting around so a shorter time scale is better.

Most of my contracts are like this. Clients decided in Jan/Feb that peak performance (nov - dec for 90% companies) was rubbish and for next year they need changes.

So I usually get contracts in March that run till about Oct - Nov time...baby sit the results till new year.

Rinse and repeat.

[NotAllThere]

I work call off contracts with a certain number of days/hours, generally until the end of the year.

Currently, I've got about 120 days for the rest of the year.

[TheBigYinJames]

True, but any other excuse makes you look like a quitter.

[Moscow Mule]

"Yes, I like to get the job done efficiently. I'm not one of these contractors who milks it out to the bitter end"

How is that going to get the agent more money for less effort?

[TheBigYinJames]

Anybody else have this issue? If so how do you deal with it?

"Yes, I like to get the job done efficiently. I'm not one of these contractors who milks it out to the bitter end"

[jo99]

I had quite a few short contracts mostly 3 months, two 2 months and another 1 month. Agents always comment on the shortness as if it is a crime.......they do not seem to comprehend that you want to do the job and get out - not get a perm postion!

Anybody else have this issue? If so how do you deal with it?

[NickFitz]

I usually like three months as a starting point, although I've always been extended (on three-monthers) by at least one month. Longest single stint was 23 months.

My last two have been six months (although the second was cut to five months due to rapidly-changing circumstances at the client). But they were both such high-profile opportunities (within the industry) that it was well worth making the extra commitment just for the future kudos of having them on my past client list

[TheBigYinJames]

John Menzies.

Pleased to meet you. How are the newsagents going?

[cassandra]

I can't see the option for " 2 weeks or less "..

[PRC1964]

I've never had a contract that was more than 3 months at the start.

I've almost always been extended though. The longest stint I've done was 18 months.

[TheBigYinJames]

I prefer short to start with, with the option for 3 month renewals. I'm much more likely to stay with a place if I only need to look at a max of 12 weeks head.

[kali]

I prefer short contracts (3 - 6 months at a time), anything longer feels just to, well permie really.

Most of the contracts I seem to get offered are 6 months+ though.

I did manage to talk the renewals in my current gig down to 3 month stints but I could see they weren't keen.

Poll coming soon...