Perm -> Contract - Notice Periods

fiisch

Long story short - I have had a relatively high number of jobs in a fairly short career. I'm 31, and have found it difficult to settle. I did some contract work previously and found it suited me perfectly, but I opted to go permanent with the same company and have since regretted the decision.

I now find myself wanting to leave, but tied down with a three month notice period. Most contract opportunities require the candidate to start fairly quickly, or at least within four weeks.

I have a telephone interview for a contract role lined up (through my network - I have not been actively looking) and was wondering how to approach the subject of notice. Do I tell the potential new employer re.: 3 months notice with an almost certain outcome that I don't get offered the job, or do I advise one month and then look to negotiate with existing employer and walk if they don't comply?!

Although contracting is somewhat lucrative, money is not a primary driver - current employer has been good to me in this regard, and I'm very well paid for a job that is on my doorstep. The problem is simply I don't enjoy the job - in fact it makes me miserable - as I get no support from management (they are always too busy) and they don't expect much from me, so frankly I am feeling bored and somewhat useless at work!!

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you manage it?

The "proper" thing to do seems to be to give my notice, and then in the final few weeks hope I can secure a contract role (and have some money saved up to tide me over). However, I have a fairly cushy number - albeit unfulfilling and depressing - so this feels like a very risky step to make purely on the grounds of career satisfaction!!

sangie595

It isn't the "proper" thing to do, to hand in and serve your notice. It's the legally correct thing to do. Would you be happy if your employer popped up and said that they didn't think you were working out, so they've decided to sack you and here's the cash to the end of the week - or would you be expecting three months notice?

You can be sued if you fail to serve your notice. It doesn't happen often. But it happens. You are also highly unlikely to ever get a decent reference from them. And word can get around that you are flaky and unreliable, which isn't good in contracting...

steampowered

I would speak to the employer. They might agree to let you work a shorter notice period.

motorguy

fiisch wrote: »

Long story short - I have had a relatively high number of jobs in a fairly short career. I'm 31, and have found it difficult to settle. I did some contract work previously and found it suited me perfectly, but I opted to go permanent with the same company and have since regretted the decision.

I now find myself wanting to leave, but tied down with a three month notice period. Most contract opportunities require the candidate to start fairly quickly, or at least within four weeks.

I have a telephone interview for a contract role lined up (through my network - I have not been actively looking) and was wondering how to approach the subject of notice. Do I tell the potential new employer re.: 3 months notice with an almost certain outcome that I don't get offered the job, or do I advise one month and then look to negotiate with existing employer and walk if they don't comply?!

Although contracting is somewhat lucrative, money is not a primary driver - current employer has been good to me in this regard, and I'm very well paid for a job that is on my doorstep. The problem is simply I don't enjoy the job - in fact it makes me miserable - as I get no support from management (they are always too busy) and they don't expect much from me, so frankly I am feeling bored and somewhat useless at work!!

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you manage it?

The "proper" thing to do seems to be to give my notice, and then in the final few weeks hope I can secure a contract role (and have some money saved up to tide me over). However, I have a fairly cushy number - albeit unfulfilling and depressing - so this feels like a very risky step to make purely on the grounds of career satisfaction!!

When i went contracting, i handed in my notice then close to the end of the notice period i started looking for contract roles.

In my arena, most companies expect me to be avail immediately or within a week. Last time, it was for IBM - did an interview on the Thursday PM, started on the Monday....

You could tentatively ask your employer if they'd hold you to three months notice but i think even a month is pushing it with contracts.

bamgbost

I agree with the last guy.
Right now there are plnty of contract jobs.


You have to take the risk of giving in your notice, then with 6 weeks left, begin to look for the next contract opportunity.


I know many people who have done this in the past, and it worked.