Permanent or Contract
Discussion
Really in a dilemma over this one, hope to get some different opinions to help me make a decision.
I work as a Business Analyst, always worked in Permanent roles.
Made redundant a month ago.
Lucky enough to now have 2 job offers;
Job 1 - Permanent role. Good company. Understand lots about the role and company and think it is a good fit. Role feels within my skill level. Salary is a match for my last role.
Job 2 - Contract role, 3 months, although told there is lots of work and should be extended. Good company but I don't know as much about them or the role as only had 1 Interview. Gut feel is it will be a more challenging job than the other. Salary pro rata is nearly double!
Just about to have 1st child, so money would be good with the wife on maternity leave, but maybe not a good time to be in a higher pressure role.
What would you do? Play it safe or take the risk?
I work as a Business Analyst, always worked in Permanent roles.
Made redundant a month ago.
Lucky enough to now have 2 job offers;
Job 1 - Permanent role. Good company. Understand lots about the role and company and think it is a good fit. Role feels within my skill level. Salary is a match for my last role.
Job 2 - Contract role, 3 months, although told there is lots of work and should be extended. Good company but I don't know as much about them or the role as only had 1 Interview. Gut feel is it will be a more challenging job than the other. Salary pro rata is nearly double!
Just about to have 1st child, so money would be good with the wife on maternity leave, but maybe not a good time to be in a higher pressure role.
What would you do? Play it safe or take the risk?
I've worked contract most of my life, and brought up three kids, once 25 years ago I took a permanent postion was made redundent, never been unemployed, alway got a contract withina few weeks if one ended, but you need agood s kill set, if you can get two job offers in a month, then I'd say you have skill set, go contract and take the money,of course this is one opinion and if you are the sort to worry the pressure may get to you.
My thinking is a job is only as good as the company's order book so if the contract company have work they keep you, if the permanent job doesn't have work they make you redundent. Im in my 15th one year contract, with the same company.
My thinking is a job is only as good as the company's order book so if the contract company have work they keep you, if the permanent job doesn't have work they make you redundent. Im in my 15th one year contract, with the same company.
Contracting is a mind set, not a skill set. You need to ask yourself is how will you cope with the fact that at any time the client manager can pull you into his office for a "quick chat", and your gone.
If this would constantly worry you then contracting may not be for you.
Your main concern should be the imminent arrival. Clients can vary wildly on their attitude to contractors and the hours they expect or the flexibility they will offer. Some clients treat you like dishonest mercenaries who need to be controlled, watched and mistrusted at all times. Other clients treat you far better than the permies.
If you do go for the contract, have a frank chat with the client about the new baby, the potential requirement for much greater flexibility. If you have that chat now and its not an option then don't accept that contract. Your worst case would be to accept the gig then find you're stuck in a strict high pressure 9-5 while the missus is having a breakdown because she's got to do everyting on her own.
If this would constantly worry you then contracting may not be for you.
Your main concern should be the imminent arrival. Clients can vary wildly on their attitude to contractors and the hours they expect or the flexibility they will offer. Some clients treat you like dishonest mercenaries who need to be controlled, watched and mistrusted at all times. Other clients treat you far better than the permies.
If you do go for the contract, have a frank chat with the client about the new baby, the potential requirement for much greater flexibility. If you have that chat now and its not an option then don't accept that contract. Your worst case would be to accept the gig then find you're stuck in a strict high pressure 9-5 while the missus is having a breakdown because she's got to do everyting on her own.
Having been in my current discipline for 30+ years, and eventually getting a freelance/contractor opening after 6 years I haven't looked back.
Not withstanding earlier comments, you do have to adopt a certain mindset and there is baggage, mainly to do with the Revenue, also VAT can raise it's ugly head.
The only way you can take a holiday is to totally forget that you're not being paid and don't add that loss of earnings to any cost of a holiday otherwise you will never take a holiday in the first place!
The other thing I would mention, you don't necessarily have to get involved in work politics but you must most definitely carefully watch and monitor it and take any appropriate action very promptly.
Overall, in my experience, contracting is the way to go, doesn't mean I haven't seen the smelly end of the stick but you have to take the rough with the smooth in life anyway.
Oh and lastly, I cannot count the amount of assignments I and other colleagues have commenced as short term that in many cases turned out to be longer than long term, but to get there you have to put in (impress) a bit more than the staffies, often though that doesn't take much.
Not withstanding earlier comments, you do have to adopt a certain mindset and there is baggage, mainly to do with the Revenue, also VAT can raise it's ugly head.
The only way you can take a holiday is to totally forget that you're not being paid and don't add that loss of earnings to any cost of a holiday otherwise you will never take a holiday in the first place!
The other thing I would mention, you don't necessarily have to get involved in work politics but you must most definitely carefully watch and monitor it and take any appropriate action very promptly.
Overall, in my experience, contracting is the way to go, doesn't mean I haven't seen the smelly end of the stick but you have to take the rough with the smooth in life anyway.
Oh and lastly, I cannot count the amount of assignments I and other colleagues have commenced as short term that in many cases turned out to be longer than long term, but to get there you have to put in (impress) a bit more than the staffies, often though that doesn't take much.
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