Opinion on job offers.

[nja321]

Hi All,

I was made redundant last year after 10 years of employment and so began looking for work at the start of this year. I have recently had an offer to return back to my old company on a contract basis working on a new project - this would be an initial 3 month contract but likely to be until the end of the year. I also had a final interview with a consultancy and have been told that an offer is likely and that I should expect to hear soon. I just wanted people's opinions in regards to which would be the better offer to go for.

Company A - Old Employer - Contract

Familiar work environment - similar role to previous although a new project - 35 min commute - 3 x salary pro rata. Negatives would be that I wouldn't learn anything new and there is also a small risk that the 3 month contract may not be extended.

Company B - Consultancy - Perm

10 min commute - Good working culture - ability to improve my skillset - huge training opportunities - ability to work with different companies - 65% increase in salary. Negatives would be there would be 30% travel involved with this role and it would definitely be more challenging of the two roles.

As it stands should the offer from company B come through that is the one I am considering taking primarily because I don't want to do contracting long term as contract roles around the area I live are few and far between so I would be lucky to get another contract should I go with company A. Also the perm salary from company B is very good and I don't think I would ever get offered anything like this again in the future.

Is there anything else I should be considering or do people agree that the offer from company B would be the best one?

Thanks

[nja321]

Thanks everyone for their comments so far - I have had an offer back from Company B now - the salary offered would be 53% more than my current base and 69% more if I was including the bonus they are offering. Some posters have asked about travel - this will involve say 2 days at client site and then back
to company office(10 min commute) the rest of the week.

[nja321]

RizzoTheRat said:

Work life balance? By 30% travel do you mean one a week away every few weeks, or several days a week where you need to drive a bit? Commute's shorter on a normal day but your total hours away from home might be a lot higher. For most people a 65% pay rise justifies a lot of additional time, but there comes a point you have to ask yourself if you work to live or live to work.

Travel would involve say 2 days client site and then rest of the week back to the office.

[nja321]

ecs said:

How long ago did you leave company A? Leaving them and going back right away as a contractor can be a little risky r.e. IR35.

Left tail end of last year - whatever happens I would get everything checked for IR35 anyway but looks like I am not going for the contract anway.

[nja321]

RizzoTheRat said:

Worth finding out how far those client sites are if you don't already know. 2 days on sites could mean several hours drive the night before and a really late finish, or it might just mean a slightly longer commute.

Just trying to be devils avocado though, based on your original post B looks like a bit of a no brainer unless the travel's going to be a real problem.

Devils avocado - brilliant. Travel won't be that much of a problem - only thing i'd be missing out on is going to the gym.