Reply to: What makes you seek a new gig?

[DirtyDog]

Apart from those rare occasions when the current contract is not being rolled.

Would love to hear from the gurus.

Not sure I'd agree that it's rare for a contract to end. If I wanted that, I'd be in a permie role with a consultancy.

[cojak]

Apart from those rare occasions when the current contract is not being rolled.

Would love to hear from the gurus.

When winter comes in and the lovely countryside is no longer visible to make up for the PITA journey to get there or the security rules of the client which insist that you are there Mon-Fri.

(And I did twig that if USB sticks weren't allowed, I wouldn't be allowed to use Dropbox either...)

[bless 'em all]

Obviously never done a gig where you did the work, then were left to rot for the remainder of the term. Just not comfortable taking money when all I'm doing is smoking my own belly button fluff.

indeed. or believed the bs given during the interview, but on arrival found they had the budget but not the work. 6 weeks of a six monther was enough for me.

or realising the 'ramp up' of resource for a major project was more managers but no one to actually assist with the 3000 days of effort needed to deliver. if a client loses my trust then theres no way i'll hang around.

[suityou01]

I've always completed contracts even if not enjoyable as it's not really the deal is it?

They sign for work you get paid for it. I would find it harder to work in a unenjoyable role as a permy facing a PDP at year end than for a short while as a contractor before leaving.

The only time I have finished a contract early was due to a family incident that needed me nearer to home. I spoke to the end client explaining my desire to leave after 3 months of a 6 month gig. I found them a replacement from my network which they interviewed and were happy with so I left on the best terms I could.

Obviously never done a gig where you did the work, then were left to rot for the remainder of the term. Just not comfortable taking money when all I'm doing is smoking my own belly button fluff.

[CheeseSlice]

Contractors with tails always wagging and leaving early and not finishing projects are not going to have much of a client base.

[d000hg]

Why not?

Why would you? Unless it's really terrible you're not going to be looking for another role so the odds of finding something far better are therefore much lower, even if you have no qualms about invoking your notice period. And if you don't like to get bored, you should factor that in when accepting each extension.

[mickey]

I've not dumped a contract mid-way.

Why not?

[CheeseSlice]

That aside, a role which paid substantially better would get me to move, but more likely is I'd simply get bored. I don't generally like to work on one project exclusively for much over a year, I like to learn new things and keep things fresh which is one reason I left permiedom in the first place.

+1, and that

[CheeseSlice]

I've not dumped a contract mid-way but I have turned down renewals.

This has been because something more interesting is on offer and market rates have improved, or have been at current clientco too long and they've started messing me around in some way.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Is it that rare? If they keeping rolling a role () that is a bit permie-ish...

That aside, a role which paid substantially better would get me to move, but more likely is I'd simply get bored. I don't generally like to work on one project exclusively for much over a year, I like to learn new things and keep things fresh which is one reason I left permiedom in the first place.

WHS. 18 months in this one gig is starting to make me go grey.

[d000hg]

Apart from those rare occasions when the current contract is not being rolled.

Is it that rare? If they keeping rolling a role () that is a bit permie-ish...

That aside, a role which paid substantially better would get me to move, but more likely is I'd simply get bored. I don't generally like to work on one project exclusively for much over a year, I like to learn new things and keep things fresh which is one reason I left permiedom in the first place.

[MyUserName]

Would you bump your current dull gig with reasonable hours and good rate for a gig with more stress and longer hours that also looks sexier on the CV?

My ability to tolerate dull gigs and find ways to enjoy them is what provides me work. If I want to try new technical things I do it at home or, if I can, I find business reasons why I should use it for the client.

[RedSauce]

Would you bump your current dull gig with reasonable hours and good rate for a gig with more stress and longer hours that also looks sexier on the CV?

It depends on other factors (rate, location). I am not saying i wouldn't ditch client if an amazing opportunity arose, but I have yet to be faced with an offer that turned my head.

[BigRed]

^ not a chance. I find most roles can be made to look far better on my CV than the reality. to me, Global corporation = process bound, old technology, tightly constrained, boring - but it looks great when you add them to your CV as a complex multi terabyte environment using enterprise features.

[mickey]

As soon as I find myself getting bored, lazy or complacent I reject an extension. Have never ended contract mid-term.

Would you bump your current dull gig with reasonable hours and good rate for a gig with more stress and longer hours that also looks sexier on the CV?