| March 2007 |
| Despite the temptations, most contractors finish their “gigs” |
| By: Leslie Stevens- Huffman |
Whether it sounded like the “gig” of a lifetime when it was presented, or you didn’t have any other irons in the fire, you accepted the contract. Now something better has come along—or at least so it seems. The pay might be higher, the commute shorter and maybe the work will be more challenging, but the reality is you’ll be leaving before you’ve completed your present consulting engagement. Should you give notice or should you keep your commitment?
For many IT contractors, especially those with “hot skill sets,” it’s tempting to chase the highest bidder-so why not do it? The answer is that leaving early is one of those gray areas. Never accept a better offer and you might end up being compensated below your market value, do it too often and you risk damaging your reputation in the market. Here are some things to consider before you “exit early” on a consulting “gig.”
It’s a small world
“Often managers change companies and your reputation as a contractor goes with them,” says Aaron Diamond recruiting manager for Pacific Technical Staffing, Inc. located in Irvine, Calif. “You want that manager to give you a reference, so if you left before the contract was up and gave no notice, you won’t be able to list that manager as a reference. If you do that often enough, not only will the word get around, it will be very noticeable on your resume and pretty soon having a track record that makes you look like a job jumper hurts.”
Roughly 90 percent of contractors complete their assignments, so those who don’t often stand out from the crowd.
Diamond says that another consideration for contractors is their longevity with a company. While a higher hourly rate may sound attractive, contractors often earn intangible rewards with more job tenure such as trust from your boss, greater autonomy and the opportunity to take a few hours off when you need to. There is a “pecking order” that is established within groups of workers and like it or not, when you’re new you’re positioned at the bottom of the order. He says that tenure along with establishing a good rapport with your manager, are often considerations when there’s a budget cut necessitating a contractor reduction.
“It’s important to have a rapport with your manager, don’t just keep your head down and code everyday and go home,” says Diamond.
Diamond says that often times, rumors begin to circulate when contractors sense that a project is winding down. By having a rapport with your manager, they will usually give you advance notice of a project’s projected conclusion and if you hear a rumor you should go directly to the source to confirm it.
It’s too great to pass up
So is there ever a time when a contractor should leave before their assignment has come to an end? Absolutely there is. Personal reasons such as reduced travel, or the opportunity to move to a company that offers greater contractor job security can be good reasons to make a move as is getting an assignment that is more in-line with your passions or getting the opportunity to learn a new technology—just be honest about your preferences before you say “yes.”
“If a contractor accepts an assignment doing application maintenance and they really want development, then I could see why they would want to make a change,” says Mark Melberg, vice president with Pacific Technical Staffing. “I think the key is whether you were up front about what you preferred before you started.”
Being honest about your preferences allows both a staffing firm and the client to decide if they want to give you the assignment or try to find a contractor who might stay for the duration and then if you leave your reputation can be preserved.
If the new offer is too good to pass up, it’s important to give two weeks notice so that your replacement can be sourced and you can give the new contractor some training. In addition to giving notice, Diamond suggests that you always give your present company and the staffing firm an opportunity to match a higher offer. This might be a win-win opportunity because you can increase your salary and your manager doesn’t lose their training investment or suffer downtime during a project.
Reality check
While it’s certainly not the tech bubble of the late 1990s, it’s not a bad market for IT professionals either. Although contractors can be released for lack of funds, they have very similar job security to full-time W2 employees and most recruiters and contractors report that few assignments are currently concluding before their scheduled end dates.
Here’s a summary of some ways to know if it’s the right contract for you and what to do if you need to break it:
- Know what’s important to you and state those preferences up front so you are presented with “gigs” that you prefer.
- Take the commitment seriously and consider the end date before you say “yes.”
- Ask for a site visit before accepting an assignment so you know the commute time, the environment and can judge the chemistry with your manager.
- Remember that longer term “gigs” with good job security at lower rates usually produce greater earnings over the long term than shorter assignments at higher rates.
- Build a rapport with your manager and frequently inquire about projected end dates. Try to take a new “gig” when your present one is ending or before you agree to another extension.
- Always give a two week notice when you leave and offer to ease the transition.
- Leave on good terms and ask the manager to provide you with a reference.
- Make a move to a new “gig” for good reasons that advance your education, position, earning potential, or job satisfaction as well as your pocketbook.
- Don’t burn a bridge, remember that your integrity and reputation are part of who you are as a person and they have a “goodwill” value that might be hard to repair if they’re damaged.
Leslie Stevens-Huffman is a freelance writer based in Irvine, Calif. who has more than 20 years experience in the staffing industry.
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