From contractor to permie

[PM-Junkie]

Sorry, but are we allowed to answer someone who is thinking of returning to the dark side? Won't we like, develop a rash or something?

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[the_rangdo]

First post here, so hi guys

This post has arrived at just the point I'm getting the jitters. Been contracting for a year now, current contract runs to Dec.

I've got two definite permie options at current clientco, I'm working with people who I've worked with before at a previous company and one option is with a guy who I've worked with at various companies over many years (as a perm)

So I'm trying to weigh up all the doom and the relative cosiness of a perm job vs another 2.5 years to mortgage freedom (assuming minimal breaks in contracts)

[LittlestHobbo]

Sorry, but are we allowed to answer someone who is thinking of returning to the dark side? Won't we like, develop a rash or something?

http://forums.contractoruk.com/image...tras/spank.gif

You'll be begging me for a cosy perm role in 6 months time as Gordon fiddles over the burning city. Petrol will be £70 a litre, Heroin addled illegal immigrants will be flodding through the tunnel to raping our wives and daughters, and Iran will announce the invention of a huge Israel shaped trapped door that they are about to pull the leaver on...

Sorry just caught a glimpse of the Daily Mail whilst waiting in the canteen queue....

[contractor79]

yes the return to wageslave does not appeal to be quite honest
and you can always go do an MSc in something for a year to build up skills, even if the course costs £10k can fastrack qualifications instead of wageslaving

so I reckon I'll carry on contracting and if times get hard I'll sign up for an MSc for a year to get more quals

[PM-Junkie]

yes the return to wageslave does not appeal to be quite honest
and you can always go do an MSc in something for a year to build up skills, even if the course costs £10k can fastrack qualifications instead of wageslaving

so I reckon I'll carry on contracting and if times get hard I'll sign up for an MSc for a year to get more quals

Quite apart from everything else, you'd have to change your ID anyway!

[TheBigYinJames]

This post has arrived at just the point I'm getting the jitters. Been contracting for a year now, current contract runs to Dec.

Your suceptibility to permie offers is in indirect proportion to the amount of rainy day / Plan B money you have squirrelled away. If you have no appreciable savings, then a permie job may become the only option in times of downturn. I've done it in the past.

Lessons to be learned: next time you'er on a good wonga, make sure you get 6 months - 1 year of living in the bank before you start spending on holidays and gadgets. The buffer is invaluable in times like these.

[Fred Bloggs]

I was lucky, I got my present contract in May having seen the "writing on the wall" at the previous place I was at, who have now laid contractors off as I predicted. I reckon I'm Ok for another 8 to 9 months here. The thing is, I heard this morning that another major source of contract work here in the local area is laying off permies at the same time as the contractors. So, if I was going to be unemployed for 6 months, I'd prefer it to be from my position earning a highish rate, rather than as a so called permanent staff member who is not really "permanent" at all on ~1/2 my rate.

[the_rangdo]

Lessons to be learned: next time you'er on a good wonga, make sure you get 6 months - 1 year of living in the bank before you start spending on holidays and gadgets. The buffer is invaluable in times like these.

Thankfully, while a couple of nice holidays and some shiny new gadgets have drained a little cash , by the time I get to the end of this gig I should have enough in the bank to go 10-12 months.

I'd be mighty upset if i couldn't get something in that time. I must have some permie withdrawal symptoms after 16 years as a wageslave.

[TheBigYinJames]

I'd be mighty upset if i couldn't get something in that time. I must have some permie withdrawal symptoms after 16 years as a wageslave.

You can pick up a permie slot any time. Just bear that in mind.

[contractor79]

Your suceptibility to permie offers is in indirect proportion to the amount of rainy day / Plan B money you have squirrelled away. If you have no appreciable savings, then a permie job may become the only option in times of downturn. I've done it in the past.

Lessons to be learned: next time you'er on a good wonga, make sure you get 6 months - 1 year of living in the bank before you start spending on holidays and gadgets. The buffer is invaluable in times like these.

yes I accept this
however
I'd say I have 1.5-2 years of salary in company account now
and starting to reach a point where thinking how much more do I need, and how cushy a permie job would be with all the holidays, sick days etc.
then again the downsides are major, as discussed

at what point do you think a contractor can really feel comfortable? house bought outright, no more pension contributions reqd, 5 years salary in comp acc?