Nearing the end of a FTC

[BottlingBurpsForGrandma]

I work in a job I really love in a charity I am passionate about. Sadly my fixed term contract is coming to an end in July so I need to start scouting around for new jobs in the next few weeks. However I do hope - as do my bosses - that some kind of funding will come through to enable me to stay on.

I don't want to mess potential new employers about, so just wondered what others have done in a similar position. I'm thinking I should start to apply around now as waiting for closing dates - which all seem to be mid April now, probably due to Easter - means no one could reasonably be expected to start in these roles before about late May anyway. I am currently part time applying for part time roles so could potentially look to do both for a short period to see out my contract (I can leave in the usual way with 4 weeks notice).

But IF my current employer conjure something up, I'll stay - so maybe I'm being unfair in applying right now.

Good luck, we lost majority funding from the nhs as it turned out ahead of the 1st April on top of my fixed term being to cover sickness.

I was lucky and was just actively looking back in January and it may work out well the start expected back in January was always for April, I'm not sure I would have gone to that to mess anyone round if I really wanted to stay and thought it was 100% that I was staying but you can't make funding happen either. You do have to look after yourself as I'm not sure mentally I'd have liked to receive the news last Friday without nothing behind me.

I don't think 'unfair to employer' comes into it unless you can afford to be unemployed for a while come July.

I've just been in the same situation but have taken a permanent job that will see me leave about 8 weeks before my contract ends. I need to secure my finances so can't hang around to be 'fair'.

I'm in the same situation also in charity. My contract is due to end this month so I started looking at the beginning of February. I've only just started having interviews at the beginning of March as I've had to wait until after the closing dates to hear back. I don't feel it's unfair for you to look as they don't know if funding will come through so you need to find a backup in case the inevitable happens. Depends if you want to find the 'right' job as I'm now finding not many jobs are coming up for what I do.

I would apply, you have to take care of yourself. If you do get something but decide to stay at your current job, they can give it to the next best candidate. It might be good to see whats out there anyway as if reliant on funding you could be going through this worry every year

Thanks all for the sense check. I've had a bit of a think and have - I think, maybe - decided that at the moment I'll go for jobs that I'd be chuffed to get even if funding is extended in my current role - so, better pay or a step-up career wise. Come May, I'll start to look more at side-steps. I've spent the afternoon doing up my CV so I'm ready which is good practice anyway to do that annually.

Good luck to @Supermomnot22

@BottlingBurpsForGrandma thank you. Good luck to you too and hope it all works out

Yeah.... I would be covering myself and applying for new jobs. If funding comes through then great, if it doesn't then fine. I wouldn't be waiting as you have bills to pay.