Reply to: How many contractors get repeat business from clients...

[Sysman]

In my industry people move jobs a lot. Leaving on good terms means that they think of you when they start at their new company. Even if nothing comes of it, there's a good chance of bumping into them in future at industry dos.

That reminds me of a conversation I had at a computer exhibition many years ago as a permie. A chap from a direct competitor approached me and when I expressed reticence about swapping ideas he came out with "Forget that, we share technical interests and could be working together for another company anyway in a couple of years". A good contact was made.

[Spacecadet]

Exactly. I can't see the point in that.

If nothing else this is about earning money, so I'd have thought it made sense to keep your options open. It has paid off many times.

Besides, I like to get on with people and leave on good terms.

I don't think the OP was making a point that the client should be left with a half arsed job or that anything should be done to purposefully piss of the client.

More about whether or not to go the extra mile at the end of the contract and give the client something special, either some extra documentation you've done with recommendations/guidance or a custom application which you built on the side to help you and you think will help them.

[Doggy Styles]

It's not hard to leave on good terms, why make a fuss or give any reason for them to not ask you back?

Exactly. I can't see the point in that.

If nothing else this is about earning money, so I'd have thought it made sense to keep your options open. It has paid off many times.

Besides, I like to get on with people and leave on good terms.

[VectraMan]

Last year I went back to my first client, from 5 years previous. It was almost all new people and a new location, so the "better to move on" argument didn't really apply.

Whilst I was there I got an email from another previous client offering me a 6 month contract, but I had to say I wasn't available. Then when I finished with previous client A, I emailed previous client B, who said no, they had no current needs, but then came back a few weeks later saying "well we do have this small project...".

A known quantity is worth a lot in any business, and certainly when it comes to something like software development the difference in cost between someone you know you can count on and someone who ticks all the boxes, does well in the interview but turns out to be incompetent, is huge.

[RSoles]

Absolutely does happen.
I've been to one place five times now.
Causes 24-month rule issues but doesn't half look good on the cv.

edit: and always go direct second time onwards.

[Sands of Time]

Yep - this and the last client were repeat business...



Bing!

[Scrag Meister]

I'm back at a previous client at the moment. So it does happen.

Not all companies are happy to take contractors so wise to at least try and part amicably with the ones that do.

Came direct this time, although ClientCo inisted on throwing an agency for their non-PSL suppliers into the mix.

[d000hg]

If the work you do is in any way specialised you may find news travels fast around the old boys network.

[MarillionFan]

I think it depends on what sort of work you do.

I do project work - the sort of which if it works they won't need me back, if it doesn't then they won't want me back! Either way I rarely here from them after I've left.

The only repeat client I had was one which I did no low level technical work for, it was all high level requirements/specification type work and even then it was all for one project but I was only required during certain phases.

WSCS

But at present clientco, this is my 3rd time back but the difference being they are doing consultancy/project work that they are pitching for, so therefore a successful project delivery means another project at clientco but a different end client.

[PRC1964]

In my industry people move jobs a lot. Leaving on good terms means that they think of you when they start at their new company. Even if nothing comes of it, there's a good chance of bumping into them in future at industry dos.

[Spacecadet]

It's not hard to leave on good terms, why make a fuss or give any reason for them to not ask you back?

Nothing wrong with leaving on good terms and I do like to make sure my work is finished properly and handed over satisfactorily (see my thread on end of contract stress). I certainly don't spend the last month twiddling my thumbs at the clients expense!

However, I don't go out of my way to give them a special reason to take me back later. I'll have already made my recommendations during the course of the project and I'll probably have a couple of extended chats with some of the key stakeholders but if they don't want to take them up (or don't want me to do them) then that's their business.

[TestMangler]

I've had repeat business from HBoS several times in the last 10 years.

It's always useful to have someone you can phone up if your gig is ending.

Can't see why you wouldn't TBH.

[Old Greg]

I read a lot of posts on here about keeping the client happy once you leave a contract, which I agree with to a certain extent. There are posts on here as we speak, to the same tune. My type of work seems to involve a finite piece of work or project that lasts x amount of time and then I'm off somewhere else. FYI, I have always been extended in every one bar one of my contracts before some people mention I must be tulip at what I do.

But my question is, why are we so arsed about bending over backwards to keep them happy.

My mentality is:

1. Once you are finished, you move on somewhere else - Not once in 12 years of contracting have I gone back for more than the odd day to a client anyway and I've had a dozen or so blue chip / public sector roles.

2. Even if I did go back in another role to a Blue Chip who I've pissed off, then the chances are the place is that huge you'll be in another building or floor and can give a reference of at least someone who you got on with.

3. If they do ask you back for the odd day, inflate your rate X 2 and pull their pants down.


Am I missing the point here...

This may be why you are never invited back.

I work exclusively in healthcare and need to keep my reputation. An I'm currently on a contract with a previous client.

[gingerjedi]

It's not hard to leave on good terms, why make a fuss or give any reason for them to not ask you back?

[Spacecadet]

I think it depends on what sort of work you do.

I do project work - the sort of which if it works they won't need me back, if it doesn't then they won't want me back! Either way I rarely here from them after I've left.

The only repeat client I had was one which I did no low level technical work for, it was all high level requirements/specification type work and even then it was all for one project but I was only required during certain phases.