Of course, this also depends where in the world you are. In the EU they cannot restrict you looking for work. Any contract term that says otherwise is null and void (the rest of the contract would likely remain in force). At this moment you have a client NOT an employer. This is different. If I was in your position then I would ensure that I had everything ready to go then start looking.

By the time you update your CV with your current position, have someone else check it over and ensure that ALL your online profiles are up to date it is easy for a few weeks to pass. It is also worthwhile keeping track of the job market. You are looking for a "permanent" role so both you and your next employer are hoping it to be long term so make sure that you understand what you will be happy with and what you are prepared to offer LONG TERM e.g. do not start a permanent position where they have said there is a manic time to get a project out WITHOUT stipulating that the extra effort you are prepared to do is short term but do sell such things as positive i.e. you will put in the extra effort for this temporary situation to help deliver NOT you will not put in extra effort after this project delivers.

Remember that often jobs move at a glacial pace. If it takes them two weeks to sift through CVs, two weeks for telephone interviews, four weeks for face-to-face interviews and two weeks to make a decision, confirm budget approval and offer a job then that is already two months. Possibly up to another month to get the contract of employment out of HR. Permanent hires are often expected to have a notice period to complete. In the UK one month is standard but two months is not unheard of (and I know of an employer local to me that insists on a 3 month notice period). If you are considered worth the wait by the employer then I would be surprised that they would not be prepared or even expecting to wait a further month - bear in mind that they have taken up to two months and maybe more between approaching an agency (or posting themselves on a job board) and offering the job. You may well be the only candidate they considered which would mean restarting the two-three month cycle.

Also bear in mind your current contract. Do you think they would give notice if they decided they no longer needed you? Would they consider taking you on? Are you essential to completing the current project? What notice option do you have (it may not mirror theirs)? How would they feel if you gave notice? Please remember that this industry is surprisingly small and bad reputations are difficult to shift but clients and employers will never be your #1 priority. That said, you have already told your current client that you are after a permanent position so they are aware of the risk of you finding one and leaving.

It sounds as though you have started this 6 month contract. If you took a couple of weeks to be 100% certain that your CV and online presence were as good (and accurate) as they can be then at most there will be 5 months left on your contract. Also, you would have a better understanding of where you stand with your current client. Then, based on how you assess the situation - including how you will manage time for interviews, you can start searching for the permanent position you desire. I would be surprised if you get a job offer with much more than three months to go. Given what I have said about notice period then you can add at least a month to that time in lieu of the minimum notice period they would expect a hire to have to complete. Now you are left with a situation that at standard pace of job applications to employment and applying for the position you eventually take on day one of searching that you will be less than two months from the end of your contract. So If it takes you a single month to find the right position then we are talking about a single month to try and persuade one party or the other to be content accepting an early end, late start or a compromise using both (that is your valid aim - disappointing one party or the other is a potential reality).

Things can go a lot slower so your concern about leaving the current client in the lurch can become irrelevant.

Things can rapidly progress quickly so you may have difficult decisions to make.

If you act professionally and remember that morally there is no obligation beyond your contract (you got layed off remember - like you would forget!!!) then it becomes clearer. Acting professionally does not mean that you just follow the rules (i.e. contracts) but also means that you consider your position together with that of others and communicate in an honest manner (but that does not mean that you tell everyone everything either). If you have been offered a position and are considering it then you might mention it to your client but if you have taken a non-paid break to have a telephone interview in your car then there is no obligation to tell anyone.

Of course, typically if you start looking earlier then you will be put in the position of being offered a job straight away but if you hold off then it will take longer than your what is left on your contract :crazy:

I hope than my ramble has helped.