For years I considered job hunting as an activity - and a bothersome one at that.  …something that I have to do for a little while until I get a job and then don’t need to do it any more until I need another job.

That was then, but this is now.

As with many IT professionals I have encountered, I typically have both a full-time day job as well as whatever other freelance projects I might be working on. You will get used to me talking about my adventures in job hunting all the time – because I am always job hunting, even when gainfully employed (which is usually a consulting contract).

That is not to say that I don’t like the job I’m in at the time or that I can’t wait to get into something else (most of the time those reasons couldn’t be further from the truth).  Instead, with most of my engagements being finitely-funded short-term contracts, I am compelled to always be on my toes so as to transition as gracefully as possible when the time may come – because, the time will come.

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My current state of employment – or “engagement” is a better descriptor – is that I am on a gig that I landed about a month ago.  It is a wonderful gig in fact.  I have already gotten to travel to Canada twice, and I work from home the rest of the time.  Plus, I get paid – which is the real reason I do it.  Nothing to complain about.

Nevertheless, I am working to actively market myself.  Originally I was told this job would last through June.  But last week the end client’s executive sponsor – the one whose words matter the most – stated clearly that the project is officially funded through “Phase 1″, which is the first week in May.  Maybe they will sign on for Phase 2 or maybe they won’t.  But “maybe’s” won’t pay my mortgage or buy my groceries.  So, I continue job hunting with May 9 as my availability date.  If my current client wants me to commit to sticking around for the next project phase, then they better give me their commitment before I give mine to someone else.

There is no animosity or attitudinosity about it, simply realisticosity (as a seasoned senior BA, I invoke the BA Commando’s right to make up words as may be necessary for the betterment of project management everywhere and mankind in general). But regardless of whether it is a 1 month contract or a perm position of 5 years, the prudent Internet Jobs professional understands these days that job hunting is no longer merely an inconvenience, and is instead a way of life.

Receiving from the horse’s mouth that my 4 month term might be cut in half was a little bit unexpected.  However, it was by no means a shock; and hardly a surprise as I have learned to not be surprised by surprises.

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A colleague of mine was recently downsized by surprise after 10 years of dedicated service in providing excellent value to one of the BIG consulting firms.  Fortunately I was able to help him find a nice position doing independent consulting (working with me in fact).  Now he is having to relearn how to walk though his career – like remedial therapy.  Just like him, you can learn it to do it do.  It might be hard, but then again, life is not for the faint of heart.

Best!

Stephen