Arrghhhh… IT contract dilemma
Discussion
Typical; three months out of contract without a sniff and then I get two interviews come up at once.
Got a call at 11:00 am saying can I do a telephone interview for a 3 month contract in Oslo? I say yes obviously, but then, an hour later I get another call saying can I do a telephone interview for a 6 month contract in Barcelona!
The Oslo interview was at 3:00 pm today and the Barcelona interview is 10:00 am tomorrow. So I’ve had the Oslo interview and they want me to start next Monday and are pressing me for a yes/no. Now given the choice I’d rather do 6 months in Barcelona than 3 months in Oslo (better money on the Barcelona job as well).
So what do I do now? I don’t want to blow out the Oslo job on the basis I *might* get the Barcelona job but I can’t very well tell them to wait for an answer until tomorrow because I have another interview and I’d prefer that job. I suppose I could stall the Oslo people until tomorrow lunchtime and use the offer as pressure on the Barcelona people to make a quick decision but sometimes that can backfire as clients don’t like being backed into a corner.
What to do
A nice dilemma to be in but why do these things always come along like buses
>>> Edited by t1grm on Wednesday 16th February 14:56
Got a call at 11:00 am saying can I do a telephone interview for a 3 month contract in Oslo? I say yes obviously, but then, an hour later I get another call saying can I do a telephone interview for a 6 month contract in Barcelona!
The Oslo interview was at 3:00 pm today and the Barcelona interview is 10:00 am tomorrow. So I’ve had the Oslo interview and they want me to start next Monday and are pressing me for a yes/no. Now given the choice I’d rather do 6 months in Barcelona than 3 months in Oslo (better money on the Barcelona job as well).
So what do I do now? I don’t want to blow out the Oslo job on the basis I *might* get the Barcelona job but I can’t very well tell them to wait for an answer until tomorrow because I have another interview and I’d prefer that job. I suppose I could stall the Oslo people until tomorrow lunchtime and use the offer as pressure on the Barcelona people to make a quick decision but sometimes that can backfire as clients don’t like being backed into a corner.
What to do
A nice dilemma to be in but why do these things always come along like buses
>>> Edited by t1grm on Wednesday 16th February 14:56
A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush.
I've held out for something I thought might work out better before and ended up being on the losing end of things. It's always a pain when these things happen but sometimes any work is better than no work. Especially when there is no guarantee that you can convert the Barcelona possibility into a solid result, however, it depends on how much you need the work/readies
I've held out for something I thought might work out better before and ended up being on the losing end of things. It's always a pain when these things happen but sometimes any work is better than no work. Especially when there is no guarantee that you can convert the Barcelona possibility into a solid result, however, it depends on how much you need the work/readies
I'd just tell them when you are going to confirm. Don't be afraid of telling them you have another interview, if they get arsey about that then basically ask yourself are they worth working for?
Take whichever job gets confirmation first. If one cancels, don't be worried about contacting the other. Good companies realise that your services are valuable.
Take whichever job gets confirmation first. If one cancels, don't be worried about contacting the other. Good companies realise that your services are valuable.
Well I’ve decided I’m going to go AWOL on the agent for the Oslo job until I’ve had the interview for the Barcelona job. He’s phoned me once and left a voice mail (probably to confirm rates and start date) but it’s 6:00 pm here now and he hasn’t phoned again so I think I can string this out until 11:00 am tomorrow. By which time I’ll have a better feel for my chances for the Barcelona job.
>> Edited by t1grm on Wednesday 16th February 16:58
>> Edited by t1grm on Wednesday 16th February 16:58
parrot of doom said:
I'd just tell them when you are going to confirm. Don't be afraid of telling them you have another interview, if they get arsey about that then basically ask yourself are they worth working for?
I'd go along with that. The agency will probably tell you they need to know now because they want to close the deal, the client will proably be happy to wait until tomorrow.
Have you agreed a rate yet? If not, take advantage of the situation and try to bump it up a bit :thumpup:
What would have happened if you’d accepted the Oslo job and then been offered the Barcelona job – could you have backed out of the first offer, or would that lead to a black mark against your name that might affect you in the future?
I guess I’m saying – accept Oslo, but cancel if Barcelona want you & is better… happens in my business (but employees, not contractors) all the time.
I guess I’m saying – accept Oslo, but cancel if Barcelona want you & is better… happens in my business (but employees, not contractors) all the time.
bobbins said:
What would have happened if you’d accepted the Oslo job and then been offered the Barcelona job – could you have backed out of the first offer, or would that lead to a black mark against your name that might affect you in the future?
I guess I’m saying – accept Oslo, but cancel if Barcelona want you & is better… happens in my business (but employees, not contractors) all the time.
Verbally agreeing to Oslo and then backing out if Barcelona comes good would be bad form. It would leave the client in the lurch since they want a start for next Monday, it would pi** off the agent, and the person I would be replacing at Oslo is an ex-colleague who put in a good word for me (unbeknown to me) so would damage any goodwill there.
Anyway; I’ve now spoken to both agents and told them I have an offer on the table and another interview at 10:00 am tomorrow and, assuming I get positive feedback from the interview tomorrow I’ll be giving them a final decision tomorrow lunchtime/afternoon. They were both surprisingly understanding about it.
My only worry now is that the Oslo agent will start pushing other candidates because he thinks I’m going to blow him out
GavinPearson said:
Get a copy of the contracts couriered to you. That says to the agent that you want to sign without saying so. Read them carefully, it may make one far more attractive than the other.
No time for that. I’ll be on site long before any contracts are signed. Quite common in my sector. Most of the agencies use the standard PCG IR35 friendly contract anyway.
In any case the first problem is resolved. AFAIK the Oslo job is still on offer. I had the Oslo agent on the phone till 19:30 last night pressurising me to make a decision saying the client was still in the office, wanted a decision “tonight” and that he “had alternatives” but I think that was just the usual agent BS
. The Barcelona interview is in half an hour. The Barcelona agent has advised the client of the situation and he has said he will give a decision either way within an hour of the interview. Also in light of the situation the Barcelona job has gone from 6 up to 12 months and the rate’s increased by 10%
(although that could also be agent BS). So *hopefully* all I need to do now is pull the rabbit out of the bag in the Barcelona interview and then make a decision either way
Well just had the Barcelona interview and it was one of the easiest I’ve ever done:
Project manager: 20 minute speil on the history of the company, the history of the project, and what the role entails.
Me: “Sounds interesting. So I assume you have some questions on my skills and experience? What would you like to know?”
Project manager: “Not really. I’ve read your CV. If you can’t do the job I’ll kick you off the project. I’ll speak to some people and let you know later today.”
Me: “Ahem, right, OK”
End of interview.
Now the waiting…
Project manager: 20 minute speil on the history of the company, the history of the project, and what the role entails.
Me: “Sounds interesting. So I assume you have some questions on my skills and experience? What would you like to know?”
Project manager: “Not really. I’ve read your CV. If you can’t do the job I’ll kick you off the project. I’ll speak to some people and let you know later today.”
Me: “Ahem, right, OK”
End of interview.
Now the waiting… 
Just to add to the "Good Luck" messages... sounds like you are in a great position! (no doubt due to your suitability for both roles!). Hmmm, so if they just 'sold the job' to you, why bother interviewing? Surely they should also be able to give a straight answer as they didn't ask you any questions. Sounds very odd.
Anyway, You look odds-on to get one of them so use it to your advantage to try and get the best position at the best rate. Then enjoy yourself! (I can't say I'm not a little envious of a trip abroad for 6 months).
Anyway, You look odds-on to get one of them so use it to your advantage to try and get the best position at the best rate. Then enjoy yourself! (I can't say I'm not a little envious of a trip abroad for 6 months
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