Reply to: How long before your contract end date do you start looking?

[jmo21]

Often a renewal comes and yes the company often won't offer a renewal until the last minute.

In fact at my current place you don't get a renewal until sometime after the contract end date so you continue at risk for a couple of weeks.

This is the approach I usually take. I prefer to always give them a chance to renew even if it means missing out on something new for me.

In difficult times however, I can understand looking early.

[Green Mango]

WOW! Really! 1/3 of posters wait until they have finished their contracts!!!

Often a renewal comes and yes the company often won't offer a renewal until the last minute.

In fact at my current place you don't get a renewal until sometime after the contract end date so you continue at risk for a couple of weeks.

[cojak]

I picked the wrong one (I know, I know... ), but I put my updated CV on the boards 1 month before contract-end (to get my CV in front of agents looking but not placing ads) and then search/get alerts for contracts with 2 weeks to go.

That (usually, it's been a funny 'ole year) works for me.

[MarillionFan]

I think from the poll results this is a quite intriguing split.

There is one school of thought to look a month ahead(the planners) and those who wait until they finish(the reactionaries)

Sample is too small, but it would be interesting to know what is the best plan of action in terms of reducing bench time.

[moorfield]

This gig ends on 30th June. The warchest is well packed already so I'm having July and August off before I start looking.

[Pogle]

I usually start about 1 month before, at current contract, they've been muttering about extending, but until I've got the contract I continue looking - I've been caught out before by managers who want to keep you on, not realising that they don't have the funding.
Also, there may be something out there closer to home.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

In my experience by the time clientco has made their mind up they need someone and navigated their labyrinthine procedures, they needed you to start three weeks ago so there's no point looking before current gig has definitely ended.

By the way - the go live date was set three months ago when clientco first thought about the project - so when you join you will either have a nanosecond to deliver or you are already late.

[d000hg]

What do you mean, start looking?

[suityou01]

Just wondering. My renewal date is on the 2nd week of May. Already been offered a two month extension, but though I might start applying if I can be bothered to look.

When do most members start looking? 1 week, 2 weeks, month, all of the time?

MF

Sorry for the delay, still recovering from the fact that someone hired you.

[Sysman]

WOW! Really! 1/3 of posters wait until they have finished their contracts!!!

Used to. I normally get extensions so the end of a contract is time for hols or working on Plan B.

It's frustrating to look too far ahead.

[MarillionFan]

WOW! Really! 1/3 of posters wait until they have finished their contracts!!!

[MarillionFan]

If onlt there were some form of poll technology......

All right. ALL RIGHT!!!

Bloody pedants.

[Scrag Meister]

IMHO, in the current climate, as soon as you can.

My current gig ends at the end of May, been here 3 years then. I am already looking and interviewing.

Some clients want immediate starts but most long term contract clients 6 month+ are reasonably understanding of a months notice or so.

If you can secure a 12 monther and leave a month early, surely the maths add up unlesss you are expecting a lot of repeat business in the future from your current client, and dont want to upset them.

[expat]

Just wondering. My renewal date is on the 2nd week of May. Already been offered a two month extension, but though I might start applying if I can be bothered to look.

When do most members start looking? 1 week, 2 weeks, month, all of the time?

MF

I look 2 months in advance, to calm my OH's nerves because she is convinced that I will never work again and at the end of the current contract I will be unemployed, soon to be on the street.

Naturally there is nothing with a 2-month lead time, only a choice betweed PDQ and yesterday. But at least I am able to tell her that there is work out there.

(then 1 month 3 weeks later I look again and there's bugger all).

HTH

[Churchill]

If onlt there were some form of poll technology......

What? Like a choosy option kinda thingy? Have a word with Admin see if he/she can rustle something up...