Easier to get a new, better paying role when in a contract or after current one ends?

[Optimus Prime]

So which one is it?

The three week notice I have appears to put agents off, methinks.

[BlasterBates]

Definitely easier if you're raring to go.

[mos]

Definitely easier if you're raring to go.

Depends on the availability of candidates and other offers which you have on the table. Da ...

[NickFitz]

I've only gone directly from gig to gig a few times (and one of those had Christmas and New Year in between); I generally don't start looking until I'm available.

On one of those occasions the agent, who'd approached me on the strength of a previous gig I'd done through them, was so convinced the new client wouldn't wait the four weeks until my existing gig ended that he was trying to persuade me to persuade the existing client to let him provide a substitute, and he'd cut me in. I insisted I wouldn't mess the existing client around like that (software development's not like a factory job where you can just put a different body on the production line, after all) and the new client turned out to be perfectly happy to wait the extra few weeks anyway

[Support Monkey]

Same here i only start looking about 3 weeks before then actively applying from the last week that's assuming i don't want a break inbetween, most of my contracts i have got through being availble immediately

[Gibbon]

So which one is it?

The three week notice I have appears to put agents off, methinks.

3 week notice wouldn't put them off if they really wanted you, I've negotiated up 2 months sometimes when I've had a delivery to finish off.

[Old Hack]

3 week notice wouldn't put them off if they really wanted you, I've negotiated up 2 months sometimes when I've had a delivery to finish off.

I've negotiated a Feb start in London, as my house isn't free until then

[Robinho]

3 week notice wouldn't put them off if they really wanted you, I've negotiated up 2 months sometimes when I've had a delivery to finish off.

3 weeks would put them off if they needed someone to start ASAP.

[SimonMac]

The bigger question is why are you looking for a contract if you are already in one? Or is this a case of your contract ends in three weeks rather than having to give three weeks notice?

[SupremeSpod]

3 weeks would put them off if they needed someone to start ASAP.

You couldn't make this up.

In the immortal words of Sasguru, you're a cretin. Hth bidi