End of Fixed Term Contrract - when to start looking around ?

[LIZS]

I have a fixed contract until end of August although as I work termtime only I would finish working in July. The project is dependent on funding from a government agency, in a field already experiencing significant cut backs, and renewal of the contract, which also involves partner organisations, is by no means a foregone conclusion. Quite possibly the process to renegotiate won't even start until March. When would be the best time to start looking for something else, not necessarily in same field, as a back up ?

[slartibartfast]

"I'm applying for your job as back-up. I'd much prefer the job I have, and I'd really like you to offer me the one you advertised, and if you just hang on until July, I'll tell you if I'm available. Thanks"

Doesn't sound very convincing to a new employer to me, so unlikely to be successful imho. I think when you apply, you have to mean it, and go all-out to get the job, then take it (assuming the employer isn't doing the same-sort-of-thing in recruiting people for a job for which the funding is yet-to-be-found).

If you judge how long you might be jobseeking: a month? three months? then start looking that amount of time from the end of your contract: if you are more successful than you guess, then your current employer has to put up with you leaving early: just one of the tribulations of employing people on a fixed-term contract.

[LIZS]

ah now I didn't mean it like that ! Obviously if I applied and got an alternative job I wouldn't intend to stay where I am at present. Ideally I'm trying to work backwards from a September start. Typically how long is it taking from advert to start date atm?

[RibenaBerry]

Hhhm, depends on the field. What are the likely notice periods for someone in your area on a permanent contract? Since a lot of candidates would need to give notice in a current job, that will normally be allowed for.

Then, how complex is the recruitment process likely to be. An interview or two could be a month (or even just a couple of weeks) from CV to offer, but if there are selection days and that type of thing then it could take a lot longer.

I'm not in recruitment, so this is a bit of a guess, but it might help to think about these aspects...