Applying for Jobs at Client Companies
I saw a job posting that I’m really interested in and qualified for from a client company. I’m actively staffed with this client. How would you proceed? Engage the client contact at the company via LinkedIn? Wait until the project closes out?
In California, non-competes are void so you don’t need to worry about that if you’re in Cali
Be wary of non-competes or contractual obligations that may block the move. Contracts are usually written to prevent clients from poaching talent from consulting firms. Even if they're not explicitly non-competes, there may be staffing oriented verbiage where the client will need to pay a headhunter fee to hire you.
Noncompetes are unenforceable unless you are an executive. If you want to go for it, be prepared that someone may tell your account partner. I personally would never initiate a move to a client unless my firm arranged it for me, which is very common and would not be looked down upon. Source: executive, had a practitioner try to get hired by a client before and yes I was notified.
You need to check your contract and the noncompete in the client agreement. If I wanted a job at one of our clients I would have to separate from my current firm and wait a full year before I was able to work at the client.