All good things must come to and end, including contracts. Here’s some info
on what to expect as well as some ideas for that last day and tips for
looking forward!
Well, you never thought this day would come, but it did… the end of the
contract. We should go back in time. Some weeks ago, you and your client
should have come to an agreement as to whether or not you were going to
extend the contract or go your separate ways once it expired. Terminating
the contract at the end is not a sign that they want you out; remember, you
were brought in to fulfill a mission and you’ve achieved it. Time to move
on.
Of course, we’re beyond those issues now and both parties agree that it’s
time to move on. Your last week will involve a lot of admin work, much like
your first few days on the job. What to expect?
Bringing your replacement up to speed: Even if you’ve
completed your project, there is still someone who will need to maintain
your work or at least assume some of your responsibilities. This may be
another contractor that is brought on site just before your departure, or
it may be a full-time staff member who assumes some of your duties. In
either case, be prepared to share any special knowledge, notes and, above
all, make your files available on a company shared drive - if you hadn’t
already, cos you know you should have!
Closing out any open projects: It’s possible that you may
be 95% done with a project and rather than go through the paperwork of
extending the contract by a week, you may need to prepare notes or
documentation for the person mentioned in the paragraph above. Also, status
information for any other ongoing projects or duties is also something to
be completed.
Delete any necessary files computer: Once you have made a
backup of all your projects to a shared drive (and tested the data to make
sure it didn’t corrupt during transfer) or have sent the files to the
appropriate teammates, it’s time to wipe your machine of any personal data
you may have on there. While you really shouldn’t have anything personal on
there, there may be things such as status reports, sensitive e-mails for
bosses, any file attachments workers may have sent as e-mail, etc. Wipe it.
Don’t let the folks at IT do it for you. Odds are your client will zap your
machine and re-format it for someone else.
Talk with your site manager: Yes, sit down and have a nice
little chat. Be sure to thank the site client for taking you on and, if
permissible under your contract, explain any current contractual agreements
or elements that might prevent you for working with them (read: non-compete
clauses) and how long those clauses are in effect. However, I repeat that
you must follow any exit instructions that your current contract may
provide. This trumps any advice here. However, feel free to leave a
business card and do stay in touch every now and then.
Of course, there are also things you shouldn’t expect:
Don’t expect everyone to be sad you’re gone: Remember, one
of the team, but not necessarily
You’re still a contractor and not a staff employee. You shouldn’t expect a
going away party of a nice parting gift. In fact, my last day of a 1-year
contract was actually far more anti-climatic than I ever thought it would
be. Perhaps some clients will see you off, but not all do, so don’t expect
it.
Last day is not a free day: You don’t expect your last
day, even if you do zero billable project hours to be a freebie, and
neither should your client. Preparing your projects and files for your
soon-to-be ex-colleagues is certainly worth the hourly rate you are
charging them for you to complete these tasks.
Your client may be less prepared than you for the
departure: You may show up on your last day and realize that
important admin work isn’t complete. You may not consider it to be your
problem, but it may become a problem if your client decides to not pay your
employer until things are sorted. To that end, gently remind your site
manager to handle account cancellations, that they sign for receipt of your
computer, they sign for receipt of your badges, etc.
Keep in mind that one sign of a good contractor is one who is always ready
to leave on short notice. Don’t wait until the last night to make back ups
or contingency plans. You never know when the dynamic of your professional
situation may change!
Once you walk out the door for the last time, you’ll feel a huge weight off
your chest knowing that this is one more client in the bag. Hopefully,
you’ve found the time in the past few weeks to decide what your next move
is: find a new gig, undertake other projects, chill out, etc. Your current
employer - your recruiter, if you didn’t go direct - would be a good place
to start if you’re looking for more work. He has all your paperwork, which
should make starting a new gig with another of his clients a little easier.
Don’t spend too much time lamenting the last client; they’ve already moved
on by the time you read this, and so you, too, should move on and think
about what you’ve learned and how you can apply that knowledge to your
future clients. Good luck!