Talking to Your Manager About Extending Your Contract
Posted June 15th, 2019
Every work contract is technically finite. There is usually a beginning and an end date or, if not, then there are typically some signals that a contract is reaching its end, like hitting specific project milestones or seeing your workload diminish.
As the end of your contract draws near, it is normal to feel a bit uncertain. After all, if the contract finishes, you’re out of a job, and that can be scary.
Whether you want to gain clarity about when your contract ends or want to find out if extending it is an option, you will probably need to speak with your manager. While this can sound like a daunting task, it really doesn’t have to be. Usually, your manager is just as aware of your situation as you are, and they know that they are the person you will turn to for answers.
However, that doesn’t mean you don’t want to handle the conversation with care. If you need to talk to your manager about extending your contract, here’s what you need to do.
Schedule a One-on-One Meeting
To put it simply, blindsiding your manager with this conversation is never a good idea. This isn’t a watercooler chat or something to be brought up during a meeting. Instead, you want to schedule a private one-on-one to discuss your future with the organization with your manager.
Start with Praise
If you are hoping that you can extend your contract, you are likely enjoying your time with the company. When you meet with your manager, start the conversation by telling them how much you have enjoyed the experience, sprinkling in a couple of details that genuinely stand out in your eyes. If you appreciate your manager specifically, feel free to share that too. While you don’t want to go overboard, a little praise and appreciation ensures the meeting starts off on a positive note.
Get to Your Point
After you open with some compliments, it is time to cut to the chase. Don’t immediately ask for a contract extension. Instead, let your manager know that you are aware that your contract is coming to an end and that you’d like to discuss what the future may hold.
Often, your manager will then take the reins and let you know what is and isn’t possible. However, if they don’t, you can say that you would be interested in a contract extension and ask if that might be on the table.
Live with Their Answer
If your manager says that a contract extension is possible, then great. You can talk with them about the details, such as when it will be formally in place and if there will be any changes to your roles, and move forward from there.
However, if your manager says that an extension isn’t an option, then you have to deal with that. Arguing isn’t necessarily going to help, and it may actually hurt your career. Instead, thank them for being straightforward and ask if they would be open to being a reference when you apply to other opportunities. If you’ve been a solid worker, you could also ask if they would be willing to tell you if they come across any job openings that might be a good fit. Then, start preparing for your next job search, especially if the end of your contract is less than two months away.
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