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Permie to Contractor notice period

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    #11
    Originally posted by Daveitcont View Post
    I have a 4 week notice period with my job but I can't hand my notice in without having somewhere to go (mortgage, bills etc).
    You can, you just don't want to. If you think you might struggle to get a contract within a month, and you have these commitments that worry you, then you might want to rethink contracting. I know plenty of people (myself included) who have had long stints between some contracts - if you read this thread you'll see how someone with lots of experience struggled to find a new role. A mere 633 applications (averaging 3-4 a working day), led to a handful of interviews before something arrived - and this is someone with a track record.

    Originally posted by Daveitcont View Post
    Quick start times for contracts seem to be the norm so I was wondering if anyone has not worked their notice period in a situation like this? To be honest I have had enough of my job so much that it personally doesn't bother me getting a contract and saying see ya! Just want to avoid any negative ramifications for the future.
    If you work in a small circle, or you might ever need something from your current employer that you breaking your contract might hinder, then I really wouldn't recommend this path.

    You have no track record as a contractor, so clients and / or agents may well want to speak to a previous manager. If they explain that you left by walking out of the door without giving any notice and they were left in the lurch, that isn't going to be something which helps your quest for work.

    You can do it, and there's very little that your employer can do about it in terms of stopping you leaving. But if they were ever asked for a reference, then I would expect that they would mention that you broke the contract so you could jump ship.
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      #12
      Originally posted by Daveitcont View Post
      I think I've confused matters. My question is "does anyone have experience moving from permie to contractor and not working all their notice period for their permie role"? I don't want to work my 4 week notice period. What I really want is to apply for contracts, hopefully get one, then hand my notice in and say I'm off in 2 weeks for example.
      Yeah, I have.

      I had a 3-month notice period that I negotiated down to 4 weeks.

      I had a decent-ish working relationship with my permie boss at the time and explained that I had been offered another job and that it was a good opportunity for me. I said that I considered that I'd given the company good value during my time there and I was hoping that he look favourably on me only giving 4 weeks notice. He was in a good mood and said "No problem".

      At the time I was being 'body-shopped' out to a client and that particular contract was due to end in 4 weeks time.

      Quite what my boss would have said if I'd told him that I was in fact going back to the same job as a contractor, we'll never know...

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        #13
        Originally posted by kal View Post
        Four weeks may be pushing at the limit, your problem is not so much clients but agents who will drop you like a stone when they find out. When I wanted to go contracting I had a 3 months notice period, knowing my current place would make me work it I just resigned with no where to go to (I did have enough savings to cover me for 3 months though). With 2 weeks left I started looking, found a role starting the Monday after my last day, I was probably lucky. A lot depends on what you do and how flexible you are on rate and location.

        What's your skillset?
        My skillet is VMware (vcp5), hyper v, Citrix (CCA-V), VDI, windows server 2000-2012 r2 and some desktop bits. Pretty varied, but more focused on virtualisation.

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          #14
          Originally posted by Daveitcont View Post
          My skillet is VMware (vcp5), hyper v, Citrix (CCA-V), VDI, windows server 2000-2012 r2 and some desktop bits. Pretty varied, but more focused on virtualisation.
          Have you researched the market for those skills and been extremely pragmatic. Are there plenty of roles that match your main skill set EXACTLY. Not roles you think you would be good at. Clients want a specialist that can deliver, not a good all round guy.
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            #15
            Originally posted by northernladuk View Post
            Have you researched the market for those skills and been extremely pragmatic. Are there plenty of roles that match your main skill set EXACTLY. Not roles you think you would be good at. Clients want a specialist that can deliver, not a good all round guy.
            I looked at jobserve earlier and with searching just for VMware contracts in London, 109 showed up. Without looking at all of them, a large number match my skillset exactly.

            I know that the move will be difficult but it seems very negative on here. I am realistic and not expecting to walk into a role but some encouragement would be nice

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              #16
              Maybe try and apply for a contract and see if you get it or not, if you do then its time to negotiate with your employer to see if you can get out in say 2 weeks (any holidays accrued might reduce that 4 weeks delay).

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                #17
                Originally posted by kal View Post
                Maybe try and apply for a contract and see if you get it or not, if you do then its time to negotiate with your employer to see if you can get out in say 2 weeks (any holidays accrued might reduce that 4 weeks delay).
                I think that is pretty much what I will do. Cheers Kal

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                  #18
                  Originally posted by Daveitcont View Post
                  I looked at jobserve earlier and with searching just for VMware contracts in London, 109 showed up. Without looking at all of them, a large number match my skillset exactly.

                  I know that the move will be difficult but it seems very negative on here. I am realistic and not expecting to walk into a role but some encouragement would be nice
                  Go get 'em, tiger.
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                    #19
                    Originally posted by Daveitcont View Post
                    I looked at jobserve earlier and with searching just for VMware contracts in London, 109 showed up. Without looking at all of them, a large number match my skillset exactly.

                    I know that the move will be difficult but it seems very negative on here. I am realistic and not expecting to walk into a role but some encouragement would be nice
                    If you need encouragement from an internet forum are you sure it's the right time for you to move?

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                      #20
                      Originally posted by TheFaQQer View Post
                      Go get 'em, tiger.
                      Haha cheers

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