Need advice - what to do?

[chris79]

Found myself in potentially a bit of a tricky position here..

I had two interviews arranged for this week.

Interview #1 is done and out the way, client told me they would let me know by end of week. No problem. Agent has already been asking "will you take it if they offer it?" to which I've said "yes".

Interview #2 has now been rescheduled for early next week. The only problem is it is offering almost twice the rate, and twice the length on the contract, it is effectively the same job as job #1 in terms of the role. From what I can gather I've been shortlisted down to the last 2 people so I'm in with a 50/50 chance on it.

What I'm worried about is being offered job #1 (if this happens), and not wanting to write off any chances by agreeing to it, only to go for interview #2 and possibly be offered that one. I know if I turn down #1 it will completely burn my bridges with the agency and it's also in a niche market which I would struggle to get back into if this happened..

I'm just trying to figure out the best way to go about this, I could end up with 2 job offers, 1 job offer, or no job offers.. all the same I need to be prepared with a plan for if job #1 gets offered this week. What would you guys do?

[MPwannadecentincome]

Wow twice the rate - that's a big difference!

Can you just say yes to the first offer "subject to contract" and hold out until the second interview?

[BrilloPad]

Once you are offered the job they want you so will hang on a while. Never accept an offer except subject to suitable contract being signed. Delay them as long as possible.

I hope you get offered both! Best of luck.

[chris79]

Wow twice the rate - that's a big difference!

Can you just say yes to the first offer "subject to contract" and hold out until the second interview?

That's what I'd thought to do, as it seems the only way to go about it. Problem is I don't think I could hold out as long as next week as the agent I'm in contact with is very pro-active in terms of having everything wrapped up.

The rate is not very good on role #1, but the opportunity is a massive one and would get me a big foot in the door of a niche market leading to big opportunities further down the line. If I get this on my CV then I pretty much have a career contracting in this area for the foreseeable future. The downside is the role isn't guaranteed beyond 3 months, but there IS a chance it could be..

Role #2 is equally as big on my CV and is paying the best rate I've ever been offered.. it's 6 months.

[Peter Loew]

That's what I'd thought to do, as it seems the only way to go about it. Problem is I don't think I could hold out as long as next week as the agent I'm in contact with is very pro-active in terms of having everything wrapped up.

The rate is not very good on role #1, but the opportunity is a massive one and would get me a big foot in the door of a niche market leading to big opportunities further down the line. If I get this on my CV then I pretty much have a career contracting in this area for the foreseeable future. The downside is the role isn't guaranteed beyond 3 months, but there IS a chance it could be..

Role #2 is equally as big on my CV and is paying the best rate I've ever been offered.. it's 6 months.

It sounds like Role #1 is more of an investment and could take you places after it's finished. Whereas Role #2 has immediate benefits of 6 months and more cash. Who can guarantee a contract after 3 months? Projects always slip.

It's a tough one, but I could accept Role #1 on the basis it's a good investment for my future, and in these times of an over saturated bench it would not be the unwise thing to do.

[Turion]

If you're a real contractor you will know what to do. If you only get job 1, you will take job 1. If you only get job 2, you will take job 2. If you get job 1 and then get job 2, you will either not start, or if you have already started job 1, you will find a way of politely leaving, and quietly starting job 2. Health or family reasons is a good neutral way of leaving a contract. Never, ever say that you are leaving for another contract.

A real pro, would keep job 1 'on the boil' for a day or so, even if he left it to go to job 2, as insurance against job 2 turning bad. It's your destiny, no one elses. Just do it in a way that gets you the best deal, without causing unnecessary angst.

[kanulondon]

If you're a real contractor you will know what to do

What a useless comment...

The question is very valid I received a terrific response when I asked the same question via a PM the other day.

At the end of the day the OP has options and its for them to choose the right way to play it.

always go in with a plan...

KL

[TykeMerc]

Turion always posts these kind of responses he's clearly an arse of gigantic diameter.

I despise people who accept and sign contracts only to bail for a slightly better one a couple of days later giving made up rubbish excuses. It's hugely unprofessional and a major part of why contractors are perceived as unreliable.

Chris the crucial thing (as you know) is not to burn bridges, you're perfectly entitled to delay the acceptance of a contract by a few days. An easy tactic is to accept subject to satisfactory contract and insist on seeing the draft on paper, knowing the great postal service we have it will take days to arrive.

[chris79]

Yeah, there's absolutely no way I'm going to sign a contract then back track on it once signed. I've just had an email from agency job #1 to say client will say on Friday who they want.

I was almost tempted to ring them up and explain that I've got another interview on Monday, but I know this could have unwanted consequences by either forcing the clients hand and having them disregard me, or pushing me to sign it early.

Seems the best way is to say nothing and just go Monday then see what happens, inside I feel it's not a moral thing to do if I've verbally said yes to client #1.. if I then have to turn client #1 down it will be even harder once I explain I had something else on the go but didn't tell them.

Am I being too honest for my own good here? Equally I may not even get the job, or either job.. the next 6-7 days are going to be very interesting to say the least.

[thelace]

The posting of a contract should gain you a day or two.

Also, you'll "want to get it checked over by your accountant/lawyer/fairy godmother prior to signing" which will give you another couple of days.

But don't mess them around, only say yes when you mean yes!

Well done and good luck!