Client Co leaving it to last minute

[MarillionFan]

On two contracts this year I started to apply two weeks before the end date. On both they both stated that an extension was dependent on budget. First project extended for an extra 6 weeks and by the time budget ran out I moved on to the 2nd. That one that tried to
call it a month early as I finished on time and so contingency was not needed, they used me on another project for the last month and said there would be loads more projects once they had won their bids.

So with two weeks to go I got another offer, told existing client who wanted 1st option and then failed to
come back to me. So I took the next one.

So far since I started back in jan, no bench time with contracts 3 and 4 running concurrently.

So apply until you have a signed extension

[thunderlizard]

No worries. If they do want to renew you get to charge your "short notice" rate.

[kandr]

Can't you just take the best 'iron' and let clientco know that you've taken it but haven't quite signed the paperwork yet but it's in the post?

Noone here cares, its a shambles.

[Jog On]

Can't you just take the best 'iron' and let clientco know that you've taken it but haven't quite signed the paperwork yet but it's in the post?

[kandr]

Why be so honest to the agents about your leaving date?

Although permie now, this was the first lesson I learned – knowing darned well that things take a couple of weeks to get sorted, and also knowing that if you go to existing client giving them an on the spot first refusal.

Yeah I start looking in the last few weeks, anyway I am doubtful I will get extended, I have had my CV out there for the last 3 weeks with some irons on the fire. Just the timing is not great with xmas approaching.

[BoredBloke]

Exactly - there is allways some sort of urgent thing that 'might' crop up once your fake leaving date has passed that means you have to stay for a little longer. The new people would have to wait as it's hardly professional to do a bunk!

[Wilmslow]

Time to look elsewhere perhaps or grow some balls.
Client A - I am already extended until Dec 2011 (this means nothing by the way - just that the paperwork is sorted)
Client B ends on XMas - I'll probably continue working and we sign the extension backdated from xmas sometime mid Feb.

It looks like your client is more like Client B in my case.
You might not, but I prefer client B - if they don't get budget for me from IT dev, they'll get it from IT maintenance or even hire me as a 'temp' but in the end as they need me they always find a way.
Client A - if the political or economical climate changes, the contract is not worth the paper - the whole project can get cancelled.
You must learn to understand that even as a permie you're not safe if the company or the project goes under.
I'd rather be the first than last to leave a sinking ship.

Why be so honest to the agents about your leaving date?

Although permie now, this was the first lesson I learned – knowing darned well that things take a couple of weeks to get sorted, and also knowing that if you go to existing client giving them an on the spot first refusal.

[xchaotic]

Time to look elsewhere perhaps or grow some balls.
Client A - I am already extended until Dec 2011 (this means nothing by the way - just that the paperwork is sorted)
Client B ends on XMas - I'll probably continue working and we sign the extension backdated from xmas sometime mid Feb.

It looks like your client is more like Client B in my case.
You might not, but I prefer client B - if they don't get budget for me from IT dev, they'll get it from IT maintenance or even hire me as a 'temp' but in the end as they need me they always find a way.
Client A - if the political or economical climate changes, the contract is not worth the paper - the whole project can get cancelled.
You must learn to understand that even as a permie you're not safe if the company or the project goes under.
I'd rather be the first than last to leave a sinking ship.

[kandr]

You should have prempted and lined something else up weeks ago

I tried, I have a few irons in the fire, but agents usually aren't interested until you are almost benched.

[Troll]

My client still can't tell me if I am being extended or not, and I finish a week today. It's time lik ethis I think about going permie.

You should have prempted and lined something else up weeks ago

[kandr]

My client still can't tell me if I am being extended or not, and I finish a week today. It's time lik ethis I think about going permie.