Reply to: Best time to look for a new contract?

[Bunk]

Currently servicing three clients, and I'm still looking.

Never stop.

Ah, you work for NorthernLadyUK too. She's a hard taskmaster

[tranceporter]

I think it was more the sods law rule that the best roles only appear when you can't take them.

+1. I secure a contract, and another one pops up with better rate just around the corner Doesn't mean I will get it though

[scooterscot]

Currently servicing three clients, and I'm still looking.

Never stop.

[cojak]

You do not look for a new contract. A new contract will find you.










Have I confused new contracts with Chuck Norris?

No, that's the way I work...

[SussexSeagull]

I have found January and September to be good times to look, presumably because of the bottleneck caused by Christmas and School Holidays.

[rl4engc]

Personally I've never found this "Budgets kick in in April" to be the case, that implies some forward planning on the part of the company, the fact that they're looking for a contractor means it wasn't in the plan.

In an ideal world you want your contract to end around May time, then you can take a couple of months off during the summer to get stuff done, go on holidays etc. You don't want to be sat around looking for your next gig when it's p1ssing down and going dark at 4pm, that's when you should be coining it in ready for the good times.

Also if you have an interview in August say if they say "You've not worked since May?" or whatever, you rebuke with "Yes, I took the summer off as I've been building a workshop.." or whatever.

[bless 'em all]

You do not look for a new contract. A new contract will find you.










Have I confused new contracts with Chuck Norris?

[RedSauce]

If you are good at what you do, you should be able to find a role anytime of year. Although you can be more choosey March-May and Sept/October though in my experience.

[cojak]

I think it was more the sods law rule that the best roles only appear when you can't take them.

Soo true...

[TheFaQQer]

I think it was more the sods law rule that the best roles only appear when you can't take them.

It's going to be tricky to find someone who will wait six weeks for you, though.

[eek]

WBS but it depends on how desperate your cash-flow is I guess.

I think it was more the sods law rule that the best roles only appear when you can't take them.

[cojak]

6 weeks? I've never started looking more than a couple of weeks before the end. Often I'll leave it until a week or two after I finish.

WBS but it depends on how desperate your cash-flow is I guess.

[tranceporter]

Feb 26. It's my birthday.

[quackhandle]

5th Wednesday after Pentecost and September 18th are the best dates for me.

Good luck.

qh

[TheFaQQer]

3.15 pm

After lunch, mid afternoon boredom.


HTH BIDI

Not suggesting that we discuss this very topic every so often, but:

I start looking 2 weeks or so after the last gig has ended.

This gives you time to have a nice holiday and attend any selection meetings looking tanned, relaxed and healthy.

HTH